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West London Buddhist Centre

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Online Retreat: Fires of Transformation

Published in Talks

Day 2

 

 

Resources for Day 2:

 

 

Saturday 8am

‘During the period of meditation, there is not anything: it is simply open.’
from Padmasambhava’s Advice to the Three Fortunate Women

 

 

 

 

‘Disposing yourself to be physically calm, as in an empty house the raindrops slowly gather, relax – do not force your mind or body.’
from Padmasambhava’s Advice to the Three Fortunate Women

 

Enough

Enough. These few words are enough.
If not these words, this breath.
If not this breath, this sitting here.
This opening to the life
we have refused
again and again
until now.
Until now.

David Whyte

 

Saturday 10.30

Introducing Padmasambhava, a talk by Ratnadeva

 

 

 

What are my habits that obstruct my spiritual growth and freedom?

 

 

 

 

A Metta Bhavana practice putting different aspects of ourself in the first four stages followed by a visualisation Padmasambhava led by Ratnadeva

 

 

 

 

Saturday 4pm

The Language of the Depths – a short talk by Bodhilila

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poem and Just Sitting meditation

 

 

 

 

 

The Guest House

 

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
Some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all !
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
Who violently sweep your house
Empty of its furniture,
Still, treat each guest honourably.
He may be clearing you out
For some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice, 
Meet them at the door laughing, 
And invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
Because each has been set
As a guide from beyond.

 

Rumi

 

 

Some thoughts on ritual
Invocation to Padmasambhava (chanted by Serena)
Padmasambhava Blazing Light Puja

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘Saying there are obstacles will get you nowhere: do what you can at the time,’

 

from Padmasambhava’s Advice and Admonition to the Revealers of Treasures

 

 

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Meet new friends and greet old ones on this Sunday’s Sangha Day, 8th December, 10.30am-4.30pm. See our new chair Amalavajra welcomed too! See programme here.

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