Cutting Through the Fog of Materialism: Encountering the Vajrayana through the Sadhana of Mahamudra with Till Cremer, Frank Ryan, James Wilton, Erika Wilton

Classes, online via Zoom Thursdays 10/23 - 11/13, 7:00pm-8:30pm Retreat, in person only Saturday 11/16, 9:00am-5:00pm Although I live in the slime and muck of the dark age I still aspire to see your face Although I stumble in the thick, black fog of materialism, I still aspire to see it. — supplication to Padmasambhava from the Sadhana of Mahamudra Explore the Vajrayana through understanding and practice of the Sadhana of Mahamudra - a Vajrayana group practice available to our entire community. In the sitting practice of shamatha-vipashyana meditation, we cultivate wisdom and wakefulness through resting our mind on an object such as our breath (shamatha) and through investigation and reflection of that somewhat-settled-mind (vipashyana). However, in daily life our minds are active, making it difficult to remain mindful, calm and self-reflective at all times. We get caught up in conflicting emotions and neurotic patterns as soon as we get up from our meditation cushion. Tibetan Vajrayana practices are designed to bridge this gap by engaging directly with the active mind through visualization and mantra, thereby allowing us to transmute our speed and confusion through cultivating wisdom and wakefulness in all life circumstances. Through four online classes, and one in-person practice day, participants will be introduced to the world of Tibetan Vajrayana through study and practice of the Sadhana of Mahamudra. The classes will provide a rich ground for discussion of key principles of Vajrayana through the colorful and poetic imagery of the sadhana, the background of the lineage holders depicted in the sadhana, and the history of the sadhana itself. The classes will culminate in a one-day retreat with guided practice, talks, self-reflection and discussion, culminating in a community Sadhana of Mahamudra Feast practice. Those who register for the class, but are unable to attend the in-person retreat, will receive access to the recordings of that day’s talks after the event. Whether you are simply curious about Vajrayana practice, or are an experienced yogi, you will find fresh relevance in the words and practice of the sadhana - and fresh access to the space and wisdom in your daily life! About the Sahdana of Mahamudra The Sadhana of Mahamudra is a liturgy that includes chanting, visualization and silent sitting practice. It is done as a means of overcoming the obstacles of spiritual materialism in our practice, in our live and the world. The sadhana is based on two main principles - space and energy. It joins two of the great Vajrayana lineages of Tibetan Buddhism, the Nyingma lineage (“old translation school”, associated with space) and the Kagyü (associated with energy). The Nyingma lineage descends from Padmasambhava, who came to Tibet in 760 C.E. while Marpa Lotsawa established the Kagyü lineage in Tibet some 1000 years ago in 1045. Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, the founder of the Boston Shambhala Center, was a Tibetan Buddhist meditation master and teacher who was deeply trained and immersed in both of these lineages. This sadhana is an expression of both his knowledge and realization and particularly relevant to western students. The vivid language and potent imagery are trademarks of Chögyam Trungpa’s transmission of the dharma. While Vajrayana Buddhism is usually only taught to experienced and deeply committed practitioners after many years of practice, the Sadhana of Mahamudra was given to our community as a group practice available to all levels of practitioners. We practice this during Sunday morning nyinthun on Sundays that coincide (or closely align) with New Moon and Full Moon days. Don't expect to understand it fully the first time. You can simply chant the words and relax into the atmosphere that doing so creates. Teachers: Till Cremer came to meditation in 2015 and found his way to the Boston Shambhala Community in 2018. Since then, Till has been increasingly involved in volunteering activities, supporting Nyinthun and Sangha Sundays. He has been serving on the center’s board of directors since 2022. Till holds a PhD in chemistry and works in industrial R&D, and he also has a private bodywork therapy practice focusing on acute & chronic health issues and trauma integration. In his spare time, Till tries to spend as much time as possible in the outdoors. Frank Ryan is an established teacher and meditation instructor who originally studied under the guidance of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. In the past Frank served as the Director of both the Vancouver and Boston Shambhala Centers and has taught throughout North America, Canada and Ireland. Jim Wilton is a student of Chögyam Trungpa, Rinpoche. He is also a student of Dzongsar, Khyentse Rinpoche and Kilung Rinpoche. He completed ngondrö as an associate at Ropes & Gray LLP and retired two years ago as a partner in Ropes & Gray’s business restructuring group. He has practiced meditation and taught Dharma classes for more than 35 years. Erika Wilton has been a Buddhist practitioner since 1971, when her travels brought her to a Buddhist monastery in Scotland. Returning to the States she sought and met Chögyam Trungpa, Rinpoche, becoming his student. She attended the three-month Vajradhatu Buddhist Seminary in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado in 1985, and many Buddhist seminars, training programs and retreats. In recent years she has been studying with Dzongsar Khyentse, Rinpoche, Kilung Rinpoche, and others. Erika met her husband Jim while both were living and working at Karmê Chöling Buddhist Meditation Center in Vermont, and are the parents of an adult son. She is also a writer and an artist in various media.

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Cutting Through the Fog of Materialism: Encountering the Vajrayana through the Sadhana of Mahamudra with Till Cremer, Frank Ryan, James Wilton, Erika Wilton

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