phowa instructor needed for retreat ( skype availability )

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Adamantine
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Re: phowa instructor needed for retreat ( skype availability

Post by Adamantine »

Sherab Dorje wrote:I was told to do a 7 day retreat by my lama after receiving instructions. I did so, by myself, at home. I wouldn't say it was easy, but it certainly was not dangerous. My lama did not give me any warnings about any dangers invloved during the oral instructions, so... :shrug:
As smcj said, this may be a different type of Phowa.. there are of course many types, levels, and lineages. . . etc. etc. so anything I say may not apply to what you or others are doing. Which is another reason for someone to check with their Lama in particular about doing retreat in the practice they gave you. YOU were told to do the retreat by your lama.. they knew you were doing it, and your retreat carried those blessings along with whatever instructions they gave you-- you don't think that's different than what we're discussing here?
Contentment is the ultimate wealth;
Detachment is the final happiness. ~Sri Saraha
KonchokZoepa
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Re: phowa instructor needed for retreat ( skype availability

Post by KonchokZoepa »

Adamantine wrote:
KonchokZoepa wrote:
no, I received the instructions from Garchen Rinpoche via webcast. so i have no instructions for a retreat except that you do the practice 4 times a day.

i dont see it as being dangerous. what do you mean by reviving. if you pass out you will automatically wake up yourself when you get to it. and i dont think you can die from the practice..

i have done the practice at home and there seems to be nothing dangerous about the practice.

No Lama is encouraging me to do this practice. its by my own free will that i want to do it.

and i am not going to cancel the retreat because someone on an internet forum says its dangerous.

if its so dangerous please explain thoroughly and prove your claims.

also what would be added to the instructions when put in the context of retreat conditions. the amount of practice you do in a day. not much else i would think. its not like the practice isnt explained already.
Hey, I am trying to be helpful, you are free to disagree but don't get all reactionary. :consoling: In general, the schedule for retreats is very specific : every thing you do should be structured precisely according to the different times of day. The flow of the winds of one's body changes during the different parts of the day. ALso, even a retreat focused on Phowa your Lama would most likely recommend mixing with other practices at different times to balance it out. Especially one session is traditionally devoted to long life practice, at least in my lineage, if one is doing Phowa. . . because otherwise there is a possibility of Phowa shortening the life span. So it is good to get very specific retreat instructions about the schedule, and also about obstacles that could arise so you are prepared. In general, a Lama may recommend different schedules to different disciples, due to their varying capacities. Some people are prone more to getting wind-disorders (lung imbalances) doing intensive practice, especially tsa-lung practices which Phowa approximates, and a wisdom-Lama will know this and give you pith-instructions for your retreat accordingly.. I can't go into detail about specifics regarding why to be cautious, as this may violate samaya, and as you say: why would you do or not do anything based on someone saying something
on the internet? So this is not the place to recount the words of my own Guru, because you would not respect them, and that would create negative karma for you. So I won't do it. However, you should try to communicate directly with a Lama that you have devotion for, about your retreat and ask specifically regarding schedule and obstacles that could arise. In my experience of group retreat of various Vajrayana practices: there is always at least one person, usually more, who develop serious wind imbalances in the retreat context. This is not something inherently bad, but it could be dramatic and it is good to be prepared with knowledge and tools in advance if this happens to you. Diet is also crucial: what you eat on retreat, and when you eat it. Different people will need varying amounts of sleep, etc. A Lama's direct advice is really important. I hope you can connect to one, ideally one you already have respect for and not one you just met on the internet.. since you seem skeptical of people's advice on the internet! :tongue:

Also, I would never recommend to cancel your retreat. You've gotten the wrong impression. I just am emphasizing you get proper direct instructions on doing a Phowa retreat alone from a Lama qualified in the Phowa of the lineage you are engaged with. If this is not possible right now, it could be better to change the focus of your retreat: Shiné retreats for instance are way undervalued and utilized by westerners practicing Vajrayana Buddhism. And you were about to go off and focus on Theravada practices--- Shiné is common to both. Accomplishing Shiné would also benefit you in a future retreat on Phowa, or any other practice for that matter. Note that I said it could be better. I don't know. Only your Lama could tell you. I would do my best to reach out to Garchen Rinpoche, call the center, tell them it is urgent, you are doing solitary retreat soon and need last minute clarification or whatever. If you can get past the insulation, (the retinue) then Garchen Rinpoche is really quite available and accessible. And if he is not, one of the Lamas at his center should be able to talk to you on the phone at least.

:good:
If the thought of demons
Never rises in your mind,
You need not fear the demon hosts around you.
It is most important to tame your mind within....

In so far as the Ultimate, or the true nature of being is concerned,
there are neither buddhas or demons.
He who frees himself from fear and hope, evil and virtue,
will realize the insubstantial and groundless nature of confusion.
Samsara will then appear as the mahamudra itself….

-Milarepa

OMMANIPADMEHUNG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls6P9tOYmdo
KonchokZoepa
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Re: phowa instructor needed for retreat ( skype availability

Post by KonchokZoepa »

Lhasa wrote:
KonchokZoepa wrote:i have the pith instructions in my mind and i am familiar with the practice.
Maybe send an email to Garchen Rinpoche via [email protected] and tell him what you are doing and when, ask for his blessing etc. They will forward your email to his translator. You can also ask the Garchen Institute if there is a senior student or other Lama that could assist you. There is a list of dharma centers connected with Garchen Rinpoche on the website, and some of those have resident Lamas.
thanks Lhasa, will do.
If the thought of demons
Never rises in your mind,
You need not fear the demon hosts around you.
It is most important to tame your mind within....

In so far as the Ultimate, or the true nature of being is concerned,
there are neither buddhas or demons.
He who frees himself from fear and hope, evil and virtue,
will realize the insubstantial and groundless nature of confusion.
Samsara will then appear as the mahamudra itself….

-Milarepa

OMMANIPADMEHUNG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls6P9tOYmdo
philji
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Re: phowa instructor needed for retreat ( skype availability

Post by philji »

I have heard from different Lamas that Phowa done incorrectly or at the wrong time can shorten your life span...any one else heard this?
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Adamantine
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Re: phowa instructor needed for retreat ( skype availability

Post by Adamantine »

philji wrote:I have heard from different Lamas that Phowa done incorrectly or at the wrong time can shorten your life span...any one else heard this?
It's not good to do if you're not healthy: or around the ill or elderly, and always it's
good to accompany it with a long life practice afaik.

(Unless, of course, you're actually dying! But hypochondriacs shouldn't
just think they're dying! :tongue:)
Contentment is the ultimate wealth;
Detachment is the final happiness. ~Sri Saraha
Schrödinger’s Yidam
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Re: phowa instructor needed for retreat ( skype availability

Post by Schrödinger’s Yidam »

philji wrote:I have heard from different Lamas that Phowa done incorrectly or at the wrong time can shorten your life span...any one else heard this?
There are different levels of Phowa. Phowa for yogis and Phowa for non-meditators have different potencies.
1.The problem isn’t ‘ignorance’. The problem is the mind you have right now. (H.H. Karmapa XVII @NYC 2/4/18)
2. I support Mingyur R and HHDL in their positions against lama abuse.
3. Student: Lama, I thought I might die but then I realized that the 3 Jewels would protect me.
Lama: Even If you had died the 3 Jewels would still have protected you. (DW post by Fortyeightvows)
philji
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Re: phowa instructor needed for retreat ( skype availability

Post by philji »

Just are there are practices to extend life there are practices to shorten life.... :toilet:
theanarchist
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Re: phowa instructor needed for retreat ( skype availability

Post by theanarchist »

If you are not sure about how to practice phowa right, then why don't you use your retreat time on something that you know you can do and wait for more phowa practice until you can attend for example a guided group retreat?

Is this "I HAVE to do a phowa retreat" just another concept? A samsaric attachment thing?
KonchokZoepa
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Re: phowa instructor needed for retreat ( skype availability

Post by KonchokZoepa »

i know how to practice phowa, i have received teachings and transmissions. I'm at the moment waiting for Garchen Rinpoches blessings as i forgot to ask the lama-la i just saw a permission to conduct the retreat.
If the thought of demons
Never rises in your mind,
You need not fear the demon hosts around you.
It is most important to tame your mind within....

In so far as the Ultimate, or the true nature of being is concerned,
there are neither buddhas or demons.
He who frees himself from fear and hope, evil and virtue,
will realize the insubstantial and groundless nature of confusion.
Samsara will then appear as the mahamudra itself….

-Milarepa

OMMANIPADMEHUNG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls6P9tOYmdo
KonchokZoepa
Posts: 1358
Joined: Tue Sep 10, 2013 9:50 pm

Re: phowa instructor needed for retreat ( skype availability

Post by KonchokZoepa »

concept this concept that? what is your point. yes its a samsaric attachment to the need of liberation and rebirth in a pure land.
If the thought of demons
Never rises in your mind,
You need not fear the demon hosts around you.
It is most important to tame your mind within....

In so far as the Ultimate, or the true nature of being is concerned,
there are neither buddhas or demons.
He who frees himself from fear and hope, evil and virtue,
will realize the insubstantial and groundless nature of confusion.
Samsara will then appear as the mahamudra itself….

-Milarepa

OMMANIPADMEHUNG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls6P9tOYmdo
theanarchist
Posts: 820
Joined: Thu Dec 26, 2013 7:26 pm

Re: phowa instructor needed for retreat ( skype availability

Post by theanarchist »

KonchokZoepa wrote:i know how to practice phowa, i have received teachings and transmissions. I'm at the moment waiting for Garchen Rinpoches blessings as i forgot to ask the lama-la i just saw a permission to conduct the retreat.

Then why did you open a thread by the title "phowa instructor needed for retreat"?
KonchokZoepa
Posts: 1358
Joined: Tue Sep 10, 2013 9:50 pm

Re: phowa instructor needed for retreat ( skype availability

Post by KonchokZoepa »

because there is no harm to be able to discuss with someone who has accomplished the practice.
If the thought of demons
Never rises in your mind,
You need not fear the demon hosts around you.
It is most important to tame your mind within....

In so far as the Ultimate, or the true nature of being is concerned,
there are neither buddhas or demons.
He who frees himself from fear and hope, evil and virtue,
will realize the insubstantial and groundless nature of confusion.
Samsara will then appear as the mahamudra itself….

-Milarepa

OMMANIPADMEHUNG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls6P9tOYmdo
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