Meditation Retreat Review

Having been raised in the dark ages of dish pan hands, before there was a mute button on the television remote, and before there was a remote, for that matter, I remember there was a character named Madge , the maven of manicurists, who waxed passionately on the virtues of a green dish detergent liquid to her devoted customer, and concluded with the revelation, “You’re soaking in it!” That might be an apt description of the twenty-one day Dzogchen retreat, led by Lama Yongdu Chokyi Gyaltsen, aka Lama Mark Webber. 

On the first evening we received a copy of Lama Mark’s Key Points for Unfolding Dharma in an Orderly and Unified Way. (Available at https://nybcc.org/texts-lama-chokyi-gyaltsen-copy/) If you were ever wondering how to proceed in your quest, this list will be invaluable. The main text that was studied during the morning classes over the next two and a half weeks was the Bodhicittavivarana, by Nagarjuna. The text contains 112 verses of explanation and pith instruction.

(2) The Buddhas maintain the awakening mind,

To be not obscured by such conceptions 

As consciousness of “self,” “aggregates” and so on;

It is always characterized by emptiness.
 

(3) It is a mind moistened by compassion

That you must cultivate [awakening mind] with effort.

The Buddhas who embody great compassion

Constantly develop this awakening mind.
 

Lama Mark suggested that we privately make a list of our views. What do we hold on to? It’s the kind of suggestion that one might not initially see the importance of because it was introduced so simply and sounds so ordinary. But by doing it one might see there are some inconsistencies and limiting opinions that have no real value to warrant sustaining them. I burned my list at the closing fire puja.

Evening sessions were initially led by Lama Mark where he started by giving detailed instructions on the meditation on the “Hollow Body Practice”. (Text also available at https://nybcc.org/transcriptions-lama-chokyi-gyaltsen/) The use of the ten directions, as is done in some practices of loving kindness, is very useful to reveal how there are areas around us that feel less comfortable than others. So by being systematic about it, we can concentrate on those less comfortable areas and allow them to begin to feel more open and comfortable.

The organization of the retreat was very skillfully handled, particularly since it was being held in the midst of a pandemic. Masks were worn indoors and meals were served in individual containers with our names on them. Since most of the time the weather was not unpleasant I enjoyed eating outdoors, as did many others, but there were provisions for eating indoors while maintaining social distancing.

I have to especially thank Marta and Marion for their tireless efforts to keep the retreat running so smoothly. The kitchen produced about 1000 individual meals with numerous dietary restrictions and it was done with immaculate care and skill.

On Thanksgiving day there was a ceremony to spread the ashes of Melody Massey around the Dagoba. It was a chance to remember her and a clear reminder that “I and other beings are impermanent, the time of death being uncertain.”

It was a pleasure and privilege to return to the supportive environment of the Dharma Centre for such a profound cycle of teaching. 

Thanks again to everyone who made it happen. 

Jeff Riches