Buddhism:

Overview | Buddhist Path @ MSC | Special Practices | Currently...

Here is a description of some of the special practices done periodically in our community. Contact Sarah at 414-964-0549 or 414-229-3024 with any questions. See the calendars for scheduling of these practices.

Maitri Bhavana Practice

Meditation on loving kindness for the seriously ill Sometimes it can be difficult to relate to others' sickness and suffering. We may feel helpless to help them or blame ourselves for being fearful or uncomfortable. This practice cultivates generosity and openness to the suffering of others, offering them health, spaciousness and compassion. Through developing the willingness and strength of mind to really look at our own and other's suffering, we can give up the selfish habits that close us off from others. As Trungpa Rinpoche says, "[Maitri Bhavana] involves developing a sense of immense generosity and being willing to suffer for others. One's own personal gain and achievement could be shared--in fact, given up."

If you wish to participate in this practice, please note that Maitri Bhavana will be held on the last Sunday of each month, during the 9 - 11:45 am meditation period. If you want to add the name of a seriously ill relative or friend to the Maitri Bhavana list, contact Sarah at 414-964-0549 or 414-229-3024.

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Sadhana of Mahamudra

Trungpa Rinpoche, the founder of the Shambhala centers, wrote a tantric chanting practice called the Sadhana of Mahamudra. The Sadhana is a terma, one of the teachings magically concealed by the great Tibetan teacher Padmasambhava for the sake of future generations. They are discovered by tertons, special teachers who are able to find these teachings during the auspicious times when they are most needed. Such is the case of the Sadhana of Mahamudra, a teaching on overcoming obstacles and degraded spiritual practices in our time. As a result, the blessings of this practice are particularly strong because it was uncovered for this specific time and place.

The Sadhana of Mahamudra explains how to transmute the phenomenal world directly into enlightenment through meditation in action. Thus, this chant contains the essence of Trungpa Rinpoche's teachings for the West. Its discovery represented a major turning point in his presentation of the Buddhadharma to Western students. Prior to finding this terma, Trungpa Rinpoche still wore the robes of a monk. But afterwards, he gave up his vows and lead the life of a lay teacher, inviting his students to dance, awake, within the chaos of ordinary, daily life rather than aspiring to the special, sequestered life of monasticism.

This practice is full of symbolism which may seem very strange to new practitioners. Don't expect to understand it fully the first time you do it. Like all dharma, understanding develops through patience and contemplation. So we encourage newcomers to come in and experience what a sadhana practice is like. The chant leader is also available to answer any questions and will give a brief explanation of how to do the practice before it is begun.

Sadhana practices are usually very secret, but this one is unusual because it is public: a person walking in off the street can come in and participate in the practice (although it is always lead by a person who has received the trantric initiation.) The practice is done on full and new moons days, when our moods and thought patterns tend to be most unruly. Instead of running away from the chaos of our busy minds, we invite you to join us for this practice!

Please see the calendars for the practice dates of the Sadhana of Mahamudra.

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Padmasambhava Feast Practice (restricted to tantrikas)

This special feast practice provides the excellent opportunity for our center's Vajrayana sangha to practice together. The practice is open to all tantrikas and sadhikas who have received the lung for this practice. In general, feasts will be held spontaneously at the Center every Heruka Day (practice coordinator will send out reminder emails). For weeknight practices, setup will be at 5:30pm and the practice will be 6:00 - 8:00pm. On weekends, setup will be at 4:00, with practice 4:30 - 6:30pm. If the Vajrayana shrine room is unavailable, we'll squeeze into the Director's room or someone's house.

The setup* time is for those who live closer to the Center and can afford to come in early to prepare. Those who don't have that luxury can just show up at the actual practice time. The practices dates and times are also listed on the calendar Feast practices can also be done individually (and more quickly) if you can't make it to the group practice. For more information or if you have questions, contact Sarah at 414-229-3024, 414-964-0549.

Please see the calendars for the Heruka Days (in light gray text).

*Keep in mind that the setup is very casual: no puja tables and just a minimum of food planning. People generally know what to bring. If there are any missing items, we can always run over to Beans & Barley.

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