Event Summary:
November 18 — this Sunday:
Rachel Parrish teaches "The Eight Consciousnesses"
10:30-12:30: Teaching
12:30-1:30: Light lunch
1:30-2:30: Guided Meditation, with optional facilitation instruction
Sundays, 10:30am-12:30pm:
November 25: Guided Meditation
December 2: Meditation & Mind Training Discussion (continues every Sunday unless otherwise noted)
Tuesdays, 8pm-9:30pm: Weeknight Meditation & Book Group
Every Tuesday Evening
Save the date for these upcoming special events:
- December 29-30: On-Site Two-Day Meditation Retreat with Rachel Parrish (details below)
- January 13: Prof. Lara Braitstein teaches on Buddhist Poetry of Awakening (via live telecast).
- March 15-17: Khaydroup Zangmo leads a weekend Practice & Study retreat on the Mahamudra meditation instructions of Shamar Rinpoche's Boundless Wisdom.
- March 31-May 5: Annual Course with Rachel Parrish, "Endless Inspiration: Four simple reflections to ensure your path to awakening is smooth and easy"
Want to receive more frequent, informal updates about our center? We also maintain a weekly google group mailing list for more details about weekly activities.
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TEACHING EVENT
The 8 Consciousnesses
Sunday Teaching by Rachel Parrish
Sunday November 18
10:30am-12:30pm
(followed by lunch and guided meditation in the afternoon)
This teaching is aimed at guiding us toward a deeper awareness of our mind. The Eight consciousnesses correspond to how our awareness relates to the 5 physical sense faculties, the mental “sense” faculty, the self-clinging mind, and the ground mind that is free from self-clinging.
It is an incredibly profound teaching, transmitted by Shamar Rinpoche to the Bodhi Path teachers in 2009, and to a number of Bodhi Path students in 2010.
Following the main teaching:
- 12:30-1:30 Light vegetarian lunch will follow. Please RSVP if you plan to join us.
- 1:30-2:30 Guided Meditation. (By request, Rachel will also provide additional instructions for those interested in learning to facilitate meditation sessions at the center.)
Suggested Donation
$20 - Standard Level
$40 - Patron Level — support someone else!
$0 - Scholarship Level — donate what you can.
No one turned away for lack of funds.
An additional voluntary offering to thank and support the teacher may be given separately.
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ABOUT DHARMA TEACHER RACHEL PARRISH
Rachel Parrish was born and grew up in the Midwestern United States. After graduating from university with a degree in English, Chemistry, and Art History, she traveled in Europe, where she discovered the Dharma at Dhagpo Kagyu Ling in France. Rachel spent three years preparing for retreat while at Dhagpo. She then completed two traditional three-year retreats in Kundreul Ling, established by Gendun Rinpoche, a very highly realized Tibetan master. Afterwards she completed a one year solitary retreat at Dhagpo. Since then Rachel has dedicated her life to teaching and practicing the Dharma. She has been based at Bodhi Path Chicago since 2007.
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Sundays: Meditation & Mind Training Discussion
Sundays, 10:30am-12:30pm
(unless there is a special program scheduled)
Join fellow practitioners for guided meditation followed by interactive discussion of topics from The Seven Points of Mind Training, the core practices of Bodhi Path centers. Each session will focus on a different "slogan," or pith instruction that helps the practitioner notice and work with the mind and ego in everyday situations.
For all levels; everyone is welcome.
Current Status: Our next session will be Sunday December 2, discussing Chapter 3, “Mastering the four practices is the supreme method.”
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Tuesdays: Meditation & Book Group
Tuesdays, 8pm-9:30pm
Doors open 7:45pm, meditation begins promptly at 8pm.
Join fellow practitioners weekly for sitting meditation, followed by book discussion.
We are reading The Path to Awakening: How Buddhism’s Seven Points of Mind Training Can Lead You to a Life of Enlightenment and Happiness, by Shamar Rinpoche. This book represents the foundation of practice and study for Bodhi Path centers.
Format: For each chapter, we will alternate between reading together, discussing in-depth with guidance from senior students, and listening to or viewing recorded teachings on the chapter's topic by Rachel Parrish and others.
No prior reading or preparation required. Great opportunity to get a taste of key Buddhist concepts.
Current status: We have completed reading Chapter 2. As of November 6, we have begun viewing teachings by Rachel Parrish on that same chapter. Video screenings will continue for the next several weeks.
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ON-SITE RETREAT
Prepare for the New Year with an Two-Day Meditation 'Mini Retreat'
Led by Dharma Teacher Rachel Parrish
Saturday December 29, 9am-5pm
& Sunday December 30, 9:30am-5pm
After the chaos of the holiday season, wouldn't it be nice to take a break from it all, hit the reset button, and find some time to calm and nourish your mind before the start of the new year?
This Saturday we will be doing just that, setting aside the whole day to train in relaxing our minds, developing insight, and tapping into our joyful, compassionate nature. We'll be using the three main meditation practices of Mind Training(Lojong): Calm-Abiding meditation (Shine), Insight/Unborn Mind meditation (Lhaktong), and 'Giving and Taking' meditation (Tonglen).
Everyone is welcome, and there will be guided instructions for all the meditation techniques.
Key information:
- A vegetarian lunch will also be provided.
- Please wear comfortable clothes, and send an RSVP to chicago@bodhipath.org to let us know you're coming so we can make sure there's enough food for everyone!
- Schedule follows, if you can only make it for a part of the day please let us know that in the RSVP:
Schedule
(it is okay to join parts; please let us now)
- 9:00 Doors Open (Saturday); 9:30 Doors Open (Sunday)
- 9:00 - 10:00 Preparation (Saturday)
9:30 - 10:00 Preparation (Sunday)
Arrive and clean the shrine room, preparing both your mind and the place for the retreat.
- 10:00 - 10:30 Relax and take a break before the meditation begins
- 10:30 - 12:30 Morning session: Calm-abiding meditation, with plenty of breaks for stretching
- 12:30 - 2:00 Lunch and rest: A salad with veggies will be provided, but feel free to also bring something yourself to share (preferably vegetarian and light on carbs so we won't be too sleepy afterwards).
- 2:00 - 4:00 Afternoon session: Insight and Giving/Taking meditations
- 4:00 - 4:30 Recitation of 'Samantabhadra's Wishing Prayer'/'King of Wishing Prayers', texts provided
- 4:30 - 5:00 Clean up and close the center
Suggested donation
(this pays the rent and keeps the lights on)
- Standard: $30 for a day; $60 for the weekend
- Sponsor: $50 for a day; $100 for the weekend (support someone else!)
- No one turned away for lack of funds
- You may also give a separate teacher offering if you'd like
RSVP recommended, chicago@bodhipath.org
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UPCOMING SPECIAL PROGRAMS
- December 29-30: On-Site Two-Day Meditation Retreat with Rachel Parrish
- January 13: Prof. Lara Braitstein teaches on Buddhist Poetry of Awakening (via live telecast).
- March 15-17: Khaydroup Zangmo leads a weekend Practice & Study retreat on the Mahamudra meditation instructions of Shamar Rinpoche's Boundless Wisdom.
- March 31-May 5: Annual Course with Rachel Parrish, "Endless Inspiration: Four simple reflections to ensure your path to awakening is smooth and easy"
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Help us Thrive by Becoming a Monthly Patron!
The generosity of inspired participants is the only support for the center. All costs, including maintaining the facility and supporting our teachers comes exclusively through the generosity of donors like you.
Monthly subscriptions are available at any level and provide your center with the consistent, reliable support necessary to continue its mission. One time donations are also enormously beneficial.
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Welcome to Bodhi Path!
Bodhi Path Buddhist Center of Chicago is a resource for practitioners, scholars, and those curious about meditation and Buddhist philosophy who wish to relate authentic teachings to everyday life. Newcomers are always welcome and no system of belief is ever expected. Practices that require previous experience are noted on the calendar.
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Interested in Finding Out More?
To stay involved with the Bodhi Path community, check us out at:
www.facebook.com/bodhipathchicago.
We also maintain a more frequent Google Group mailing list for weekly activities— you can sign up here.
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