Our Study
Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism by Chogyam Trungpa. In this modern spiritual classic, the Tibetan meditation master, Chögyam Trungpa, highlights the commonest pitfall to which every aspirant on the spiritual path falls prey: what he calls spiritual materialism. The universal tendency, he shows, is to see spirituality as a process of self-improvement—the impulse to develop and refine the ego when the ego is, by nature, essentially empty. "The problem is that ego can convert anything to its own use," he said, "even spirituality." His incisive, compassionate teachings serve to wake us up from this trick we all play on ourselves and to offer us a far brighter reality: the true and joyous liberation that inevitably involves letting go of the self rather than working to improve it. It is a message that has resonated with students for nearly thirty years, and remains fresh as ever today. Discussion every Wednesday at 8 p.m. (after the sitting meditation).
Training the Mind: and Cultivating Loving-Kindness by Chogyam Trungpa. Commentary by Chogyam Trungpa on Atisha's 59 slogans of mind training. Atisha is credited with bringing many Buddhist teachings to Tibet from India at the beginning of the 11th century. His pithy slogans were compiled by Chekawa Yeshe Dorje (1101-1175).
Shambhala Training - a series of contemplative workshops, suitable for both beginning and experienced meditators. Contact Bob Brown at Robertbrown42@gmail.com or Robert Walker at dharmagroup@aol.com.
Shobogenzo of Eihei Dogen - Schedule to be announced.
Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche - Schedule to be announced.
"The process of transforming the material of mind from expressions of ego's ambition into expressions of basic sanity and enlightenment through the practice of meditation - this might be said to be the true spiritual path."
Chogyam Trungpa, Rinpoche 1940-1987
Page 11, Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism