with Erik Jampa
In this workshop, we will explore the ancient Tibetan Buddhist practice of Chöd as found in the Yuthok Nyingthik. Like the rest of the Yuthok Nyingthik, this practice of the Beggar's Feast is essential and pithy, making it a perfect sadhana for modern times.
Based on the teachings of the 11th-century Tibetan yogini Machig Labdrön, the ritual of Chöd ("Severance") has been employed by yogis, healers, and weather-makers across the Himalayas for nearly a millennia. Accomplished adepts are famed in Tibet for their capacity to quell epidemic disease and appease troublesome local spirits, though traditional Chödpas would shun any such acclaim and spend their lives abiding among the cadavers and vultures in desolate charnel grounds.
The allure of this esoteric ritual has captivated spiritual seekers and academics alike for centuries, yet its essence is not one of occult mystery, but rather a profound understanding of the human mind. Machig's teachings on the nature of the "four demons" reveal the true nature of our hopes and fears, while the ritual framework offers an opportunity to accumulate positive karma, develop spiritual potency, cancel karmic debts, and heal both the environment and sentient beings. On an essential level, however, the true power of Chöd lies in its power to cut through ego-fixation, the root of all negative emotions.
Guest Teacher Erik Jampa Andersson has been studying and practicing Chöd since he was a young teenager, and draws from a wealth of both traditional study and personal experience in sharing this practice with others. In this course, he will cover the history, philosophical foundations, and ritual framework for Chöd, including its captivating melodies and traditional instrumental techniques. By the end of this course, participants will feel confident in their ability to perform this beautiful practice on their own.
A limited number of high quality Chöd instruments (drum and bell and and dorje) will available for your use or purchase onsite at the workshop.