Discovering the Heart of Buddhism 2: Transmission
Lama Shenpen
Although the process of Awakening is something that happens within us—and to something within us—there is a sense in which it is just as true to say that it comes to us, as if we were recipients of some kind of gift or power from beyond ourselves. The process of this inspiration of Awakening passing from one being to the next is transmission. Transmission is like the igniting of one flame from another—the living flame of Awakening to our true nature, the Buddha’s Enlightenment. Transmission is a mysterious, deep and subtle process and begins even in spite of our doubts and hesitations, even in spite of our not knowing what it means exactly.
This retreat is a special opportunity to take an extended period of time to deepen our meditation and daily life awareness practice, explore our experience, and sharpen our insight, all in the supportive atmosphere of a group retreat.
From Lama Shenpen’s ‘Notes on Transmission’:
‘So the implicit connection students work with from the beginning of DHB becomes explicit and is now based on a mutual understanding between myself and the student. As students open their hearts and formally acknowledge their conviction that they have glimpsed the base of the path in their own experience, this transmission can take place. It is pointed to by the DHB and confirms our wish to commit ourselves to cultivating this by continuing to spiral ever more deeply round and around the key points expressed in those teachings. The fruit will be the full realisation of their deepest level of significance as full Awakening.
Having received the transmission you can think of your on-going work on the DHB and THB as a means of linking into the Mahamudra and Dzogchen transmission lineage through your direct connection with me.’
Group Retreats in Wales 2010
Group retreats are held at the Hermitage of the Awakened Heart on the beautiful Llyn Peninsula in North Wales. For details about the practicalities of going on retreat at the Hermitage, click here. There is no fixed cost for retreats at the Hermitage--rather we rely on your generous donations. To register for a retreat or to find out more, email [email protected]ku.gro.sha@stneve . Click here for a booking form. Click here for a list of practicalities and a map.