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PRACTICE MORNING REMINDER Volume 16July 2014

A Newsletter of the Samye Dzong Harare Community ______7a Ernie’s Lane & 34 Quendon Rd, Monavale, Harare, Zimbabwe Tel: +263-4-304202 (mornings only) Email: [email protected]; [email protected] Web site: http://kagyu.org.za/harare/ Find us on Facebook at: Kagyu Samye Dzong Harare ______In this issue:

• Visiting Teachers Calendar 2014 – many excellent teachings and retreats

• Meditation Retreat ‘Awakening Compassion & Wisdom’,8-12thAug

• Lucid Dreaming: Charlie Morley – Talk and weekend retreat 21st – 25th August

• Teachings& retreat: Ken Holmes –Harare and Susurumba 5th – 17th November

• KSDH Review with Richard Maasdorp –10 August

• KSDH Annual General Meeting – 10am-12.30pm,21st September

• to India - Dreaming the , October

• Retreat: Donal Creedon – ‘On being hurt’ – 16th- 30thMay 2015

• Fund raising appeal from Congo

• Regular events at KSDH and contact details

______VISITING TEACHERS CALENDAR – 2014/5

KSDH plans to host several interesting teaching visitors in Zimbabwe in the coming year to give you a variety of opportunities to deepen your spiritual path. We will include details on each of these events in forthcoming emails and newsletters.

Lucid 21st -25th Charlie will be back again to deepen our experiences and Dreaming August understanding of lucid dreaming Charlie Morley Insight 3rd - During Rob’s visit, he will be leading an Insight retreat. Retreat 12thOctober This is a closed retreat for those who are participating in Rob Nairn the Insight course. Information on other events to follow. Teachings 5th – Weekend teachings at Ernies Lane; retreat at Susurumba Ken Holmes 17thNovember 10th – 14th November Retreat 16th – 30th 2-week retreat at Susurumba “On Being Hurt This is Donal Creedon May 2015 going to be a popular retreat so mark your calendars now! Rokpa Visit the TRC website (www.tararokpacentre.co.za/) to find out more about Centre (TRC) the wonderful visiting teachers and retreats being offered in SA. MINDFULNESS MEDITATION RETREAT

‘AWAKENING COMPASSION AND WISDOM’ 8th - 12th August 2014 (Public holiday 11 & 12 August)

COURSE PRESENTERS : Dave & Pam Sheehan

“The starting point of the spiritual path, is the understanding that we can transform ourselves. Our innate qualities, like loving-kindness, compassion and wisdom, and our abilities to help ourselves and others can be cultivated.” Ringu

The retreat, which is offered through the Mindfulness Institute of Zimbabwe, will focus on developing these innate, beneficial qualities through teachings from wise teachers and meditation practice. This retreat will appeal to all those who would like to develop a more honest approach to their lives through developing their inner wisdom and compassion. The day will consist of guidance, followed by periods of meditation interspersed with deep reflections, plus allowing for walks and swims within the majestic natural surroundings of Susurumba.

Venue : Susurumba, Juliasdale, Nyanga

Date: Start time: suggested arrival 14:00 - 16:00 hours on Friday 8th, soup is at 18:00 followed by Introductory Talk at 19:00. Finish time: 10.00 am, Tuesday 12th August

Cost: Shared accommodation: Shared rooms $120 for the whole retreat (or $35 per night). Single room: 50% surcharge for single room if available. Camping:$80 for the whole retreat or $20 per night (bring your own camping equipment)

(Please contact us if you have financial constraints – this should not be an obstacle to attending).

For retreat bookings/queries please contact Dave and Pam Sheehan on [email protected]

DREAMS OF AWAKENING: MINDFULNESS OF DREAM & SLEEP WITH CHARLIE MORLEY 21 - 25 August 2014

We sleep for a third of our lives. Have you ever wondered how you might make better use of that time? Over this 2 day weekend retreat Hay House author and co-creator of “Mindfulness of Dream & Sleep” Charlie Morley shows us how to dream lucidly, sleep deeply and to train our minds to engage meditation all while we’re sound asleep. Training in Lucid Dreaming enables you to:

• engage the innate healing potential of the dreaming mind • prepare yourself for the practice of dream yoga • discover a world of inner meaning and potential by unravelling the mystery of dreams • sleep mindfully, ‘wake up’ in daily life and nurture spiritual and psychological awakening.

Charlie’s teaching style for retreats is fun and lively and has evolved into a more practical and interactive form than ever before with the addition of music, mindful movement and interactive exercises which all serve to deepen the learning experience. Retreat participants have the opportunity to engage in optional group dreaming sessions throughout the night in which Charlie guides the group into each dream period with a specific technique.

The retreat will also include an overview of the history, science and practice of lucid dream from both the Western psychological and Tibetan Buddhist traditions, instructions on how to maintain awareness into and out of sleep, recognition of illusion and, of course, teachings on learning “how to lucid dream”.

See this link for an SABC documentary on The Lucid Dreamer http://i-can-do-it-ignite.co.uk/charlie- morley-explains-lucid-dreamings-mystical-insights-new-tv-documentary/ We would like to screen the SABC documentary on ZTV. If you would like to assist to raise the $300 fee to SABC for the screening rights, please contact Barbara Vitoria [email protected] Also here is a video exploring what Mindfulness of Dream and Sleep is: http://youtu.be/SuDISllu6VI Watch Charlie describing what actually happens on a retreat here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKh-RlGPD_s TED Talk:TEDxSanDiego 2011 - Charlie Morley - Lucid Dreaming, Embracing Nightmares

Introductory Talk/Book Launch and Signing by Charlie Morley: Date: Thurs 21 August 2014 Time: 5.30pm - 7.00pm Venue: TBC Cost: $5.00

3-day sleep over retreat: (daytime-only also possible) Date: Fri 22 – Sun 25 August 2014 Time: Friday 5:30pm – 7:00pm, Saturday and Sunday: 9:30am – 5:00pm Re-convening 9pm for the dream practice (Fri & Sat) Venue: KSDH, 7A Ernies’ Lane, Monavale (off Quendon Rd / Lyndhurst Rd) Cost: $25.00 per day (or donation) – Bring and share lunches

For booking details and additional info, contact Sabina at 304202 or 0775554455 or email the KSDH office at [email protected] “HANDS-ON, HEART-FELT ” TEACHINGS BY KEN HOLMES 5th – 17th November

Ken is currently Director of Studies at Kagyu Samye Ling and is a world renowned scholar on . His life is spent teaching in the Samye Dzong Buddhist Centers established by the late Akong Tulku Rinpoche, in various countries, writing and translating dharma works. We are delighted to have Ken back for another round of inspiring teachings.

TWO WEEKEND TEACHINGS “HANDS-ON, HEART-FELT BUDDHISM” 8TH - 9TH AND 15TH - 16TH NOVEMBER 2014

Two weekends commemorating the teachings of the late Akong Tulku Rinpoche and his very direct way of highlighting the essential notions of dharma.

Venue : Kagyu Samye Dzong Harare temple, 7a Ernies Lane, Monavale, Harare. Dates : Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th; Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th November. Timings : 9.30 am - 4.00 pm ( with bring and share lunch) Cost : $80 for each weekend or $50 per day.

• WEEKEND 8TH/9TH November: Karma and reincarnation: the key ideas distinguishing Buddhism from other faiths and underpinning the use of its techniques of compassion and meditation.

• WEEKEND 15TH/16TH NOVEMBER : Samsara (endless worldliness) and (definitive freedom from suffering). The teachings on suffering also include those on no-self and , the other key themes defining the Buddha’s teachings. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

RETREAT “THE MAHAMUDRA PRAYER FOR EVERY DAY LIVING AND DEVELOPING GREAT SELF-AWARENESS AND COMPASSION” 10TH -14TH NOVEMBER 2014

Much of Buddhism is concerned with ethical living and an accompanying groundwork on thoughts and emotions. These improve everyday life but they neither take us to enlightenment nor make clear what it was Buddha actually achieved or how far meditation could take us. This prayer, by the 3rd , gives an overview of some of the deeper teachings of the Kagyu .

Venue : Susurumba, Juliasdale, Nyanga Dates : Monday 10th November commencing 6.00 p.m. (suggestion arrival 2.00 – 4.00 p.m.) to Friday 14th November mid-morning. Cost : Shared accommodation: $160 for the whole retreat (50% surcharge for single room if available) Camping : $100 for the whole retreat (bring your own camping equipment) For retreat bookings/queries please contact Dave and Pam Sheehan on [email protected] KSDH REVIEW with Richard Maasdorp Sunday 10 August 2014, 10.00am – 1pm, followed by a bring and share lunch

The AGM has been postponed this year from July to September to allow preparation to be done around the proposed changes in focus, responsibilities and structures at Kagyu Samye Dzong Harare, The Rokpa Centre at Quendon Road and the Borrowdale Lane Centre.

This time of change requires reflection on KSDH’s vision and what we want for our centre, as well as defining our relationships with other activities within Rokpa Trust Zimbabwe. You are invited to attend these important reflection meetings to contribute your voice and views to revision our dreams for our centre and to discuss how those dreams can be realised.

Come prepared:

• Bring a picture or symbol of your vision and be able to summarise it succinctly • Be prepared to share your motivation • Be open to understanding the visions of others • Bring a plate to share for lunch.

______KSDH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

10.00am – 12.30pm, Sunday 21 September 2014

The AGM is an annual opportunity for our community to look at what actions we need to take to realize the vision of our centre and to find people who are inspired and motivated to make things happen. Please give thought between now and September to:

• what you would like to see happening • how you can contribute to this • what would motivate you (and others), and • what do you need to enable you to contribute.

We are a group of volunteers and we need to find ways (formal roles as well as informal/loose arrangements) to give people flexibility to contribute their energies in ways that are convenient and do not over-burden.

Please contact Bravo if you would like to stand as a member of the MC at the next AGM. Here is a list of the present members of the Management Committee: SUB COMMITTEE LEAD PERSON CONTACT INFO Chairperson Bravo Nyamudoka [email protected] Administration Rosemary Beck [email protected] Finance Tom Soper [email protected] Communication Barbara Kaim; Barbara Vitoria [email protected] Sangha Development Bravo Nyamudoka [email protected] Visiting Teachers Dave Sheehan [email protected] Fundraising Marijke Legerstee [email protected] Environment Dorothy Wakeling [email protected] Ernie’s Lane Liaison Jane Soper [email protected] Think not what KSDH can do for you, but what you can do for KSDH. (J.F. Kernohan)

You can find the minutes of the last AGM on the KSDH website. More on the AGM later in the year. …

______“DREAMING THE DHARMA”

Pilgrimage to India to Meet Living Masters October 2014

Teachings & Transmissions from the 12th Kentin Tai Situpa at Palpung, Sherab Ling (“Realm of Wisdom”) in the Kangra Valley, India

This pilgrimage to India has been kindly organised by our sister Dharma centre in Randburg, South , to benefit all the Southern African . The heart of the pilgrimage will be five days of teachings by His Eminence, Tai Situpa. If you are short of time you can just attend this part. Otherwise, Randburg has arranged an exciting itinerary and meetings with other Masters, as well as the option of visiting His Holiness Karmapa if he is in residence. Approximate dates of the trip are from 5th – 20th October. This is a unique opportunity to meet Tai Situpa and other high .

For full details, contact Erika on either +27 21 7865261 or +27 84 6049931 or e-mail her on [email protected] for any queries or particular difficulties like financial constraints or just to chat about the trip.

RETREAT: "ON BEING HURT" WITH DONAL CREEDON 16-30 May 2015

It is probably reasonable to say that all human beings get hurt in the process of growing up. Often the hurt remains as a background and springboard for action and relationship. This matrix of hurt distorts relationships, blights the capacity to joy and leads to bitterness and depression. It is played out on the world stage in violent conflicts between factions who carry and indeed cling to the memories of past grievances.

From the Buddhist viewpoint, carrying this load from the past is as pointless as Sisyphus pushing his boulder up the mythic mountain.

In our retreat we will explore this and other questions in the light of the Mahamudra tradition of discovering total freedom from the past, and living in the open space of natural choiceless awareness.

DONAL’S CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPANTS:

Donal requests that participants attend the whole retreat from beginning to end. Partial or casual attendance is discouraged, nor is coming and going during the retreat Participants should be fully committed to the retreat.

COST OF RETREAT:

Shared bedrooms: Full Retreat - USD 540

Camping: Full Retreat - USD 375 (please bring all camping equipment including mattresses and pillow)

Contact: Barbara Kaim on [email protected] for any further information.

______FUND RAISING APPEAL FROM CONGO SANGHA

Our center is too small to hold those that come to practice to find relief from the suffering of the traumatic past

Many of the Harare Sangha has met members of the Congo Sangha from Lubumbashi in DRC during visits of Akong Tulku Rinpoche. They are a growing and dedicated group that have been practising Tibetan Buddhism since 1997, when some members came to Zimbabwe and met Akong Tulku Rinpoche. The17th Gyalwa Karmapa, Orgyen Trinley Dorje, gave the DRC centre his blessing and named it Karma Shenpen Nyima Ling, which means "The sun which blazes for the benefit of all beings". Kagyu Samye Dzong Lubumbashi (KSDL) has a regular daily programme of meditation and practice sessions, led by Francis Kabwe and his wife Brigitte, who both had the good fortune to receive the Mahamudra transmission from Tai Situpa Rinpoche at Sherab Ling monastery in India.

Many people in DRC have lived through extremely traumatic events and endured immense suffering. Those coming to the centre have found the teachings of Buddhism immensely beneficial in relief from the pain of the past and increasing numbers of people are coming to the centre. Ken Holmes is a regular visitor to the centre, as is a monk from the Brussels centre. As a result, the small meditation room can no longer hold those coming to meditate and receive teachings, with people standing outside. In 2011, Akong Tulku Rinpoche, supported by Tai Situ Rinpoche, gave KSDL instructions on the type of land and buildings needed to build a temple. Inspired by these encouragements and blessings, KSDL has identified a piece of land they want to buy. The cost is $50,000 and they are asking for help to raise the money. If you are able to support their dream, monetary donations may be made by bank transfer to the following account:

Bank account number: 05130-01004952701-92 Beneficiary: CENTRE D'ETUDES TIBETAINES, LUBUMBASHI Address: 14 RUE 14 COMMUNE, KATUBA, LUBUMBASHI

Beneficiary bank: RAWBANK Bank address: 91 AVENUE SENDWE, LUBUMBASHI, KATANGA, DEMOCRATICREPUBLIC OF CONGO Swift/BIC code: RAWBCDKIXXX For details contact: [email protected] or [email protected]

______Regular Events

Unless otherwise mentioned, these events take place at either the Kagyu Samye Dzong Harare Temple (7a Ernies Lane, Monavale) or at Rokpa Centre Shrine Room (34 Quendon Road, Mabelreign, opposite the Italian Club).

Day Event/Practice Time Venue Monday Meditation followed by soup and socializing 5.30pm – 6.10pm Quendon Road

Tuesday Amitabha and Dorje Sempa 4.00pm – 5.15pm Quendon Road Yoga (Angie) 5.30pm – 6.30pm Quendon Road Wednesday Green Tara 7.00am – 8.15am Quendon Road

Friday Chenrezig 5.30pm – 6.10pm Quendon Road

Saturday Yoga (Roger or Pippa) 7.30am – 9.00am Quendon Road

Sunday morning Meditation, followed by a presentation of a 9.00am – 11.00am 7a Ernie’s Lane Dharma topic, discussion and tea (KSDH)

Contact Details

KSDH Office Sabina Nkonde Gomo 304 202 MC Chairperson Bravo Nyamudoka 0772 908 535 Monday meditation Debra Chimuka 0772 336 017 Pujas/Buddhist prayers Maia C. Repond 303 591 Yoga Angela Neighbour 740 580 Sunday Meditation and Jill Roberts, but enquiries to Sabina Nkonde Gomo 304 202

For issues to be included in the next Newsletter send your mail to Sabina Gomo: [email protected] or Barbara Kaim: [email protected] Note that the KSDH office is only open in the mornings 8am – 1pm, Monday – Friday