Buddha and the Yogis: Freedom on the Path to Compassion

Days

Hours

Mins

Buddha and the Yogis: Freedom on the Path to Compassion

October 12 - October 17, 2020

Diving deeply into the complementary teachings of Mahayana Buddhism and classical Indian thought, we find at the core the common ground of cultivating compassion within the context of daily life. This turns out to be an essential step toward peeling away layers of confusion and habitual ways of thinking and acting that keep us stuck and unable to experience the interpenetrating nature of all things.During this week of yoga, meditation, storytelling, chanting and lively discussions, we will explore how these two traditions are profoundly relevant to life in the 21st Century. As a backdrop to the practices, we will study sections of the Amrta Siddhi, Yogavaśiṣta, Vimalakirti Sūtra, Narada Bhakti Sūtra and Heart Sūtra, exploring how these practices and teachings stimulate our creative imagination for problem solving as well as how they ignite the intuitive sense of who we really are as part of the ecosystem we call life.If you would like to attend in person, please use this link to register for the in person gathering! Richard and Mary will be joining us remotely via livestream from the safety of their home in Colorado, whereas Thurman will conduct his classes in person at Menla (which will also be live-streamed). Students registered for the in-person residential option will be able to view Richard and Mary via projection on a screen.

These sessions will be presented on Zoom, if you cannot attend the live online sessions, re-play videos will be provided after the program concludes.

Need-based Scholarships are available upon request. In order to be able to accommodate everyone who wants to participate in our programs, and who may be in need of financial assistance, are asked to send an email to frontdesk@menla.org with the best way to contact you, the name of the program you're interested in attending and how much you could contribute.

We encourage those who are financially comfortable to contribute any amount of donation above the normal class fees to support scholarships specifically or Tibet House US | Menla generally. Every dollar lends crucial support to Tibet House US | Menla during this financial crisis. Anyone whose financial circumstances are dire can appeal for scholarship assistance.

ScheduleMonday, October 12th

3 - 8pm Check-In

4:15 - 6pm Early Arrival Asanas

6 - 7pm Dinner

7:15 - 9:15pm EST (5:15 - 7:15pm MT) Welcome Evening Discussion (All Faculty)

Tuesday, October 13th – Friday, October 16th

8:30 - 9am EST (6:30 am - 7:00 am MT) Private Virtual Sessions - On Site Guests Only

9 - 9:30am Break Breakfast Available at Front Desk

9:30am -12pm EST (7:30 - 10am MT) Morning Asana, Pranayama with Richard and Mary

12:30 - 1:30pm Lunch

1:30 - 4pm Free time for Rest, Relaxation or Spa

4 - 5:30pm EST (2 - 3:30pm MT) Afternoon Class with Bob or Richard and Mary

6 - 7pm Dinner

7:30 - 9:15pm EST (5:15 - 7:15pm MT) Evening Discussion (All Faculty)

Saturday, October 17th

7 - 11am Check-out of Rooms

8:30 - 9am EST (6:30 am - 7:00 am MT) Private Virtual Sessions - On Site Guests Only

9 - 9:30am Break Breakfast Available at Front Desk

9:30am -12pm EST (7:30 - 10am MT) Closing Discussion (All Faculty)

12:30 - 1:30pm Lunch & Departure

*Please note that schedule is subject to change.

ABOUT THE TEACHERs

Richard Freeman

A student of yoga since 1968 and is one of America's foremost teachers of yoga. He has studied various traditions in Asia which he incorporates into the Ashtanga yoga practice as taught by his principal teacher, K. Pattabhi Jois. Richard is an avid student of both Western and Eas...

Mary Taylor

Mary Taylor began studying yoga in 1971 while earning a degree in psychology. In 1988, Mary traveled to India to study with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and began to see the overlay of yoga with her interests in food, cooking, movement, anatomy and art. Mary has authored three cookbooks ...

Robert A.F. Thurman

Robert Thurman is Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University as well as co-founder and President of Tibet House US and it's Menla Retreat & Spa. A world-wide lecturer on Tibetan Buddhism, activist for the plight of the Tibetan people, translator of Buddhis...

UPCOMING EVENTS

Lucid Dreaming & The Transformative Self

Dr. Nick Atlas
Oct 24, 2020

Lucid dreaming, or awareness that we are dreaming while we are dreaming, is widely regarded as an extraordinary state of consciousness. While yogic and shamani...

The Past is SO Not Over! Slaying the Dragons Through Memoir Writing

Bethany Saltman
Oct 24, 2020

The past is very much alive in the present. Memoir writing is one of the most powerful ways to slay the dragons of the past so that we can become more present. ...

Saturday Night Live Q & A Dialogue

Sharon Salzberg & Robert A.F. Thurman
Oct 24, 2020

Join us for an evening of dialogue and contemplation with two pioneers of contemporary Buddhism. Questions can be submitted beforehand via the link provided in ...

Awakening a Fierce Feminine Buddhism

Pamela Weiss & Robert A.F. Thurman
Oct 24, 2020

Like all true spiritual teachings, Buddhism offers a radical shift: from me to we, fracture to unity, and fear to love. But like most institutionalized religion...

The Power of Shamanism to Heal Emotional and Physical Illness

Sandra Ingerman
Nov 04, 2020

Shamanism is the most ancient universal spiritual practice known to humankind. Many anthropologists believe that the practice dates back over 100,000 years. T...

Integrating the Money Shadow into Your Spiritual Life: Introduction

Karen McAllister, BEcon, CMC, Co-Active Coach®
Nov 12, 2020

With a little assistance, you can bring to light hidden sensitivities and less-than-conscious constructs that prevent a healthy relationship to money and life. ...

Real Change; Healing the Heart for Ourselves and the World

Krishna Das & Sharon Salzberg
Nov 13, 2020

Both the Bhakti and Buddhist paths tell us that we all have the same capacity for compassion and for peace. A life of connection and authenticity can come compl...

“Menla is a truly inspiring place to live and work. I can’t imagine a better environment in the US for me to be of service, help a very meaningful cause, and learn about Tibet, Buddhism, yoga, and the world of health & wellness. I have a tremendous amount of gratitude for Robert & Nena Thurman’s vision, not to mention for everyone else who helps make Menla a place I can feel genuinely proud to work for.”

David B.

“A place of exceptional beauty. A retreat center surrounded by nature, silence and beauty.”

Adriana Hoyos

“I honestly can’t say enough good things about this space, the land, the facilities, the staff, the stewards, their events. I will never forget this place and hope to come back. Forever grateful for such beautiful blessings!”

Jenna Bray

View All Testimonials