Vajrapani Institute
P.O. Box 2130
Boulder Creek, CA 95006
(800) 531-4001

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Choosing Hope: Transforming Anxiety into Action
with Ven. Tenzin Chogkyi
September 24-26, 2010

Choden Rinpoche

Category: course
Level: all students welcome
Level of silence: no silence
Partial attendance: not allowed

 

Course Overview
Do you feel overwhelmed by news about the climate crisis? Do you feel unsure what to do, or if your actions make any difference? Join us for an exploration of our attitudes about the environmental situation, a glimpse of Buddhist perspectives, and exercises and discussions that will empower us to take action.

In this weekend interactive workshop, we will be exploring beneficial ways of responding to the climate crisis, based on Buddhist principles and perspectives. First, we will look at some of the theoretical underpinnings of such an approach. Then, we will explore our feelings about the current crisis, and investigate our vision for the future. Finally, we will develop a personal action plan for renewing our perspective, empowering ourselves, taking action, and connecting with resources and support.
The weekend will include some presentation of theoretical material, but will primarily involve interactive sessions and feedback from the group in a workshop-style format. One of the sources used for this workshop is Joanna Macy’s book, Coming Back to Life.

Teacher Biography
Ven. Tenzin Chogkyi became interested in meditation after reading Be Here Now and Autobiography of a Yogi in the early ’70’s. For the next 20 years, her spiritual path was meandering and haphazard, and included several dead ends, until she bought a one-way ticket to India in early 1991 with the intention of meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In late 1991, she became co-director of Vajrapani Institute in California. In 1995, she began working at FPMT International Office, first as co-director and then later as center services coordinator.

In early 2000, she began a long, solitary retreat that lasted 6½ years. Tenzin Chogkyi decided to become ordained in the third year of her long retreat, and then left retreat for a quick trip to India in 2004 for novice ordination with His Holiness. Since 2008, she has been teaching at various centers worldwide. As of August 2009, in addition to touring, she is based part-time at Vajrapani Institute in Boulder Creek, California.

Schedule:

Friday 3:00 to 5:00 pm Registration
Sept. 24th 6:00pm Dinner
7:00pm
7:30pm
Orientation session (in the gompa)
Introductory session
Saturday 7:00 – 8:00 am Mindfulness Practice
Sept.  25th 8:00 – 8:30 am Breakfast
9.00 –12pm Morning workshop with a tea break
12.00 pm Lunch
2.30 –5:30 pm Afternoon workshop with a tea break
5:30 - 6.00pm Yoga or other exercise (optional)
6.00pm Dinner
7:00pm Movie
Sunday 7:00 – 8:00am Mindfulness Practice
Sept.  26th 8:00 – 8:30am
8:30 -- 9:30 am
Breakfast
Clear out all belongings from accommodations
9.30 --12:00pm Last workshop session with a tea break
12.30-1:15pm
1:15-2pm
2pm
Lunch
Karma Yogi: final group cleaning (all to participate please)
Retreat ends

Fees (inclusive of accommodation, meals, retreat fees)
  Regular Rate
  Non-Member Member
    10%
Camping $210.00 $189.00
Main Dormitory $220.00 $198.00
Semi Private Dormitory $230.00 $207.00
     
Private Room (single) $300.00 $270.00
Private Room (double) $270.00 $243.00
Cabin (single) $340.00 $306.00
     
Scholarship Fund $200  
Application deadline August 24th  

"Ven. Tenzin Chogkyi offers fantastic teachings; truly inspirational and useful information. I would recommend to anyone with an interest. "

—Samantha S., student from 2009


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Cancellation Policy 

A position for Course Manager Scholarship might still be available for this course. Click here for more information.