Calming the Mind: The Joy of Living - Level One, A Retreat with Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche
“If we transform our mind, everything we experience is transformed.” - Mingyur Rinpoche
On the 16th and 17th of March 2024, Ritinjali and the Centre for Escalation of Peace, in collaboration with the India International Centre, Nalanda Foundation, and Pallavan Learning Systems, came together to host a transformative retreat with Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche on CALMING THE MIND: THE JOY OF LIVING - Level One.
Key Themes and Insights
Fundamental Nature of the Mind: Rinpoche emphasised the innate purity of the human mind and identified aversion and craving as primary causes of suffering.
Path to Inner Peace: Participants embarked on a journey of inner exploration, seeking tranquillity amidst life's chaos and discovering the peace within.
Universal Wisdom: The Joy of Living course transcends religious and cultural boundaries, offering a pathway to lasting contentment and profound wisdom.
Meditation Techniques: Rinpoche introduced various meditation styles, including object-oriented and subject-oriented practices, to cultivate awareness and compassion.
Scientific Insights: Discussions included the transformative effects of meditation on brain plasticity and mental resilience, supported by neuroscientific studies.
Day One
Attendees were privileged to immerse themselves in Rinpoche's teachings, exploring the transformative power of meditation and mindfulness. Rinpoche shared personal experiences to elucidate the detrimental effects of aversion and craving on mental well-being. Practical meditation techniques were introduced, emphasising the importance of daily practice and integration into everyday life.
Day Two
Rinpoche led attendees through a series of meditation practices, including pain meditation, thought meditation, and emotion meditation. Practical exercises were conducted, encouraging participants to observe their thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations with awareness.
Rinpoche concluded by urging participants to cultivate a supportive meditation community and integrate formal and informal meditation practices into their daily lives. Gratitude was expressed to Rinpoche and collaborating partners for facilitating a transformative retreat experience.
The retreat offered invaluable teachings on meditation, mindfulness, and inner peace, empowering attendees to embark on a lifelong journey of self-discovery and transformation.
Click here to read the report about the retreat.