Summer Retreat: Chöd – Cutting Through the Ego

Chöd is practiced as a skilful means to cut through hindrances and obscurations that are referred to in Chöd terminology as demons. The demons are our own afflictions. Examples include karma, ignorance, anger, and in particular the dualism of perceiving the Self as an individual, separate and independent identity. It is important to note that these demons are overcome by compassionate means. In this way Chöd includes the totality of the Mahayana teachings, combining skilful means (bodhicitta) with wisdom (prajnaparamita), as well as tantric visualization and pure perception. In Dzogchen forms of Chöd, the success of the practice allows the practitioner to abide in the natural state of rigpa free from fear.

In Chöd, the adept symbolically offers the flesh of their body to the demons. The iconographic signification of their corporeal form is often represented as skin (the obscuration, surface reality or Maya) flailed from the bones and skeletal structure (the deep, underlying true reality), to be severed and cut to pieces and devoured by the gods, demons and wild animals, etc. This particular type of sadhana is held to be extremely challenging and potentially dangerous if practiced in the wrong way. Therefore it is important to have some experience in taking refuge and arousing bodhicitta before starting such a practice.

Chöd, like all tantric systems, has an outer, inner and secret aspect, as Milarepa sings to Nyama Paldabum:
“External Chöd is to wander in fearful places where there are deities and demons. Internal Chöd is to offer one’s own body as food to the deities and demons. Ultimate Chöd is to realize the true nature of the mind and cut through the fine strand of hair of subtle ignorance. I am the yogi who has these three kinds of Chöd practice.”

Teacher: Lama Jigmé Namgyal

Language: teachings will be given in English

Where: 1, rue Charlotte Engels, L-1482 Luxembourg – space is limited, please register as soon as possible.

When: 7-13 August 2017

Monday, 7 August: 14:00-17:30
Tuesday, 8 August – Sunday, 13 August: 10:00-13:00

Price:
Donating members of CCT and members of PCL
65 €/week (7 – 13 August)
Regular members of CCT
84 €/week (7 – 13 August)
Non-members
97 €/week (7 – 13 August)

The retreat is open for students only who regularly attend classes and are actively engaged in the teachings. If you are unsure whether you fulfil these criteria, please contact us and we will check with Lama Jigmé.

The price does not comprise the costs for accommodation and the food. The participants will need to take care of the accommodation and the food themselves.

Tips for accommodation:
http://youthhostels.lu/en/youth-hostels/youth-hostel-luxembourg (Luxemburg city hostel is 2 km from rue Charlotte Engels)
http://www.campingmamer.eu/ (7,5 km from rue Charlotte Engels)
http://www.ccclv.lu/site/index.php/en/ (Kockelscheuer Camping) – (7,7 km from rue Charlotte Engels)
http://www.campingkrounebierg.lu/nl/home.html (Camping Mersch, 22 km from rue Charlotte Engels)
http://www.campingettelbruck.com/nl/index.html (Camping Ettelbruck, 32 km from rue Charlotte Engels)

Information and registration: retreat@tibetculture.lu

Please register by sending an email to retreat@tibetculture.lu before 15 July 2017.

For organizational reasons no registrations will be accepted after this date.

Please note that the number of available places is limited. Your participation will be confirmed only once you have transferred the payment of the participation fee.

The payment information will be send to you shortly after we received your registration email.