seva journal

Sept. 25/26, 4:30-6pm
Oct. 2/3, 9/10, 4:30 – 6pm
Oct. 2, 7pm – Tibetan Tantric Chanting for Peace

Topics include in this order-
Generosity, Morality, Patience, Joyous Effort, Concentration and Wisdom.


This is a donation based series – suggested $12 per or $65 for the series.

About Ven. Thupten Tsondu ( Tashi ) -
Venerable Gyudmed Ngarampa Thupten Tsondu (Tashi) was born in Tibet but fled to India in 1959 to seek political asylum along with his parents and the Dalai Lama. At age 13 he entered Gyudmed Tantric University to become a monk according to his wishes. In 1995 he was given a dialectic exam in front of 400 monks which resulted in the Geshe Ngarampa degree, a Ph.D. in Tibetan Tantric Buddhism.

He has visited the USA, Canada, Switzerland, England, Mongolia, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Nepal and India and has taught ritual chanting, sand mandala construction and dialectic debate to monks at the Gyudmed Tantric, Gaden Jangtse and Drepung Gomang Monasteries of India and the Pethub Stengeyling and Gyud Monasteries of Mongolia. Tashi also served as chief administrator of Gyudmed Tantric University and wrote a book on tantric ritual.

Venerable Gyudmed Ngarampa Thupten Tsondu (Tashi) is currently a Buddhist spiritual teacher in Florida.

Namaste, fellow beautiful creatures!
We’ve just celebrated Independence Day. Naturally, this got me thinking “What is independence?”. As I pondered the meaning of the word and examined it’s personal relevence, I was struck by an idea. I thought how rarely, if ever, I used the term for myself. I mean not really embraced or applied the notion to my own life. Now, I’ve used terms like “liberate”, “free” and “allow”, but “independence? Not so much.
I thought about how my life could be different if I actualized the word- really owned it. What might my life look like, feel like, sound like, if only I gave myself independence?
This is such an important thought to me, especially when I consider how multiple meanings can suit multiple situations. I know, by now you’re thinking “Huh? what’s he talking about?” Let me explain:
If I grant myself true independence, I free myself from layers of self-judgement. I become less uncomfortable in my own skin, muscle and bone. I allow myself the gifts of time, stillness and breath.
Independence from worrying what anyone else in yoga class thinks when I go to the wall, because I just need it.
Independence from thinking the endless litany of “shoulda, woulda, coulda”. I am a perfectionist, especially at work. What if I instead breathed in independence, and focused mindfully at the tasks at hand, not doubting my professional skills.
What if, in each yoga class, I just went to the wall each time I needed to?, What if I give myself independence from fearing I will be a disruption or distraction? What if allowance of my own need for independence gives someone else the idea that they, too, can free themself?
As I ponder these thoughts and ready my life to receive the blessings of learning, I know this helps in my daily yoga. Not just the time spent on my yoga mat, but every-minute-of-every-day yoga. Mindful living, mindful being.
I wish joy and safety to all my fellow creatures, and true independence for us all.
Om, Shantih,
Raven

Marro Spehar explains what Kripalu Yoga is, and why you might like to try it out!