Programme: September to December 2018
If you would like to attend any of the following groups or courses, or take part in a retreat please let us know by emailing us (wales@lamrim.org.uk) or telephoning the Centre to make a booking.Saturday 15 September; 2.00pm – 4.30pm
Introduction to Buddhism – Facilitated by Janet Ford, with Ben Griffin.
What is Buddhism all about? What does it mean to say you are a Buddhist? Come and hear the story of our founder Lord Buddha, what he taught, and how it applies to the modern world. You are encouraged to ask questions!Suggested donation of £5 – Refreshment included.
Janet Ford is the current lead coordinator at Lam Rim and is dedicated to facilitating learnings from Buddhism in modern life.
Saturday 22nd September; 10:00am - 4:30pm
Developing Loving Kindness – Led by Dr Dechen Rochard
This special day offers you an opportunity to develop Loving Kindness towards yourself and others. Teaching on this day will draw on two major Buddhist traditions and include meditation practices from each of these. The aim is to enhance our inner peace and our wish for all beings to be happy. No prior experience of Buddhism is necessary.Cost: £30pp – Lunch and Refreshment included.
Dr Dechen Rochard a disciple of H.H. Dalai Lama since 1984. Dechen has completed a 10yr course of study at a Tibetan monastery in India, has a PhD IN Buddhist Philosophy, and now works as a translator and editor of Buddhist texts
Sunday 30 September; 11:00am - 6:00pm
Indian Summer at Lam Rim
Join us for an enjoyable family afternoon in the welcoming setting of Lam Rim. Come rain or come shine, there will be lots of things to see and do: short talks and mini workshops, stalls, massage taster sessions, walk the prayer path through the woods, pick some apples (take some home!) and of the course the essential tea’n’cake. Watch out for more details closer to the date.Free entry!
Saturday 06 October; 10:00am - 4:30pm
The Eight Verses of Thought Transformation: Practical Heart Training – Facilitated by Dan Buys
A workshop informed by the teaching of this famous Buddhist text as taught by the late Geshe Damcho Yonten, Lam Rim’s previous Spiritual Director. The format will follow a cycle of short teachings, discussion, contemplation and meditation. But you may also wish to work on your own heart, in your own way, in the peace of the Lam Rim grounds.Donation only, but we respectfully suggest £25 – Please note that this is a ‘bring and share’ lunch event with refreshments included.
Dan Buys is a qualified psychologist and a Buddhist practitioner since 1984 with a special interest in the practical application of mindfulness in a busy world.
Sunday 07 October; 1:00pm - 6:00pm
Coping with Stress through Chi Gung – Delivered by ‘Eagle in the Nest’ Chi Gung founder, Sifu Yeshe Gyatso
A beginners class delivered by ‘Eagle in the Nest’ Chi Gung master, Sifu Yeshe Gyatso. Teaching will include movements to help clear constrictions in energy flow, techniques of breath purification and self-massage as well as spinal exercises to relieve tension. The day will also include meditation techniques to calm the mind. Finally, Sifu Yeshe will offer all participants chi-message for concrete experience of the efficacy of the method.Cost: £40pp – Refreshment included.
Sifu Yeshe Gyatso has received teaching and transmission from many Tibetan and other Eastern masters for over 42 years; his Chi-Gung master is Pak Hong Lam. Sifu Yeshe’s main place of teaching for the past 21 years is the Czech Republic, where he is the founding teacher of the International Bodhidharma Chi-Gung Society.
Saturday 13 October; 10:00am - 4:30pm
Turning Weapons into Flowers – Led by Ben Griffin
It is better to hate the hatred, not the hater– Santideva
Come and learn methods to gently develop immunity to criticism and hurt based on enhancing our empathy and tolerance. Through the many practices learnt from traditional Mahayana Buddhist meditations of the Himalayan traditions we will work to acknowledge and cherish the precious moments of our lives. You don’t have to be Buddhist to enjoy and benefit from this day.
Cost: £30pp – Lunch and Refreshment included.
Ben Griffin endeavours to act in accordance with the guidance of his root Lama, Ven. Geshe Damchö Yonten as well as His Holiness 14th Dalai Lama. He teaches from the heart arising from experiences of the `living` Lam Rim tradition.
Saturday 20 October; 10:00am - 4:30pm
Teaching and Meditation – With Choje Lama Rabsang
A big welcome to Choje Lama Rabsang of Palpung Changchub Dargyeling (a nearby Karma Kagyu Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Centre) who will deliver a full day of meditation and teaching. A special opportunity, not to be missed!£45pp (£30 for concessions) – Lunch and Refreshment included.
Ven. Choje Lama Rabsang is a resident teacher at Palpung Changchub Dargyeling in South Wales. His warm, joyful presence and profound understanding of Dharma is a guiding light for many.
Saturday 21 October; 10:00am - 4:30pm
£30pp – Lunch and Refreshment included.,Yogic Song Meditation Using the Power of the Voice,With Ngakma Shé-zér Khandro and Ngakpa Namgyal Dorje,Yogic song is both a meditation practice in itself and also a great support and complement to silent sitting meditation. In this workshop you will encounter a variety of songs, each with a unique melody, history, and application. No great singing talent is required, just an enthusiasm to learn. There will also be an opportunity to learn a variety of Himalayan musical instruments during the class, including the drilbu (bell), chod drum, dungchen (great horn), conch, silnyen and rolmo (peaceful and wrathful cymbals).)
Saturday 27 October; 10:00am - 4:30pm
Relax with Reflexology – Led by Gill Vaisey
A practical workshop for relaxation of mind and body through reflexology. This day will be spent exploring the theory behind reflexology and practising the techniques. Reflexology aims to relieve stress by returning the body to its natural state of ‘balance’.Cost: £30pp – Lunch and Refreshment included.
Ngakma Shé-zér Khandro and Ngakpa Namgyal Dorje are experienced teachers of the Aro gTér lineage, a Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist tradition which is principally concerned with transforming our experience of everyday being, emphasising simplicity, clarity, and depth - both of practice and understanding.
Gill Vaisey is an experienced, qualified reflexologist, with a Post Graduate Diploma in Anatomy, Physiology and Reflexology.
Saturday 10 November; 10:00am - 4:30pm
A Sense of Place - a mindful journey through creative writing – Led by Paula Webber and Kay Smith
Take a break from your busy life; spend a day reflecting on the world around you and your place in it, through mindful practices that will inspire your creativity and creative writing.Bring notebooks and pens, warm clothing and all you need to be comfortable as you map your journey through life, so far.
Cost: £30pp – Lunch and Refreshment included.
Paula Webber and Kay Smith are experienced writers and course facilitators who also both work in the formal education sector.
Saturday/Sunday 1-2 December
Coming to our senses – Coordinated by John Allman
A whole weekend of simultaneous workshops that will evoke the sense delights - sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. Activities will include the creation of exquisite flower arrangements, musical harmony, mouth-watering food and even gestures and mudras. More details to follow.Cost to be determined
John Allman is a senior Lam Rim student
Saturday 15 December; 10:00am - 4:30pm
Beyond the mirror – Led by Ben Griffin
A day in which we will learn how to identify and remove the mistaken view of self, in order to see beyond the mirror of our “self-grasping” mind. The format will include guided discussion and enquiry based in the Lam Rim tradition, as well as periods of reflection and meditation.Cost: £30pp – Lunch and Refreshment included.
Ben Griffin was given permission to teach insight by his root Lama, Ven. Geshe Damchö Yonten following a short retreat in 1984. Ben teaches from the heart arising from experiences of the `living` Lam Rim tradition.
Please also remember that you are always welcome to join in the daily spiritual programme in the shrine room:
6:30am – 7:30am – Morning Puja (Chenrezig Guruyoga of His Holiness 14th Dalai Lama)
9:30am – 10:00am – Silent meditation
4:30pm – 5:00pm – Silent meditation
7:30pm – 8:30pm – Evening puja (21 Praises to Tara, Long Life Prayer of His Holiness 14th Dalai Lama, 6-armed Mahakala)