Chöd: Cutting our Bondage in Samsara
with Ani Sherab Wangmo
November 11-12, 2023
Chöd is a sacred offering done at night, and it is one of the Four Main Generosities we do during the day: Sang Chöd, Chütor, Sur Chöd, and Chöd.
This sacred offering has no material supports as the other ones, it relies only on your concentrated, clear visualization, and intention with the support of the instruments. Therefore, its effectiveness is based on your practice, on your grip on the damaru, on the text recitation, and on internalizing its meaning without distraction. If you are diligent, you will be able to master the pace and beats of the damaru, and later the sil nyen, but the most important part is your undivided visualization.
The text is from Shardza Tashi Gyaltsen Rinpoche and it is called The Laughter of the Sky-Dancers or KHADRO’I GE-GYANG.
During this brief retreat, practitioners will understand the great potential that this sacred practice of Chöd has for their daily lives as well as for the advancement of their most profound spiritual practice. Chöd means literally to CUT. Through this sacred visualized offering we CUT the deep root of the main poison that keeps us suffering in Samsara: Ignorance. This practice requires concentration, trust, discipline, and deep commitment. It is also a very joyful way to purify our attachment and cultivate generosity in the most profound way.
During this weekend of teaching, the practitioner will learn the basics of how the drum or damaru keeps the pace of Compassion during our recitation and visualization. We will have practice sessions after the text is explained and understood. Therefore, it is very useful that all practitioners bring a damaru. The sil nyen or flat bell will not be part of our practice till the practitioners handle the drum well.
If you do not own a damaru, please bring a medium round mirror with a handle so you can learn the way to handle one when you get it.
| Schedule – Saturday and Sunday CST | |
| Session 1 | 10:00 am – 11:15 am |
| Break | 11:15 am – 11:30 am |
| Session 2 | 11:30 am – 12:30 pm |
| Meal Break | 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm |
| Session 3 | 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm |
| Break | 3:30 pm – 3:45 pm |
| Session 4 | 3:45 pm – 5:00 pm |
Complete payment through PayPal by clicking the Register button below.
IMPORTANT: After payment is completed, you will be brought back to the Ligmincha Texas website. This may take 10-40 seconds.
IMPORTANT: If you are not returned to the Ligmincha Texas website after 1 minute, go to the bottom of the page and click where it says “Return to Ligmincha Texas, Inc.”
IMPORTANT: If, you are not returned to the Ligmincha Texas website and clicking “Return to Ligmincha Texas, Inc.” does not work, email us at info@ligminchatexas.org. Do not wait until the day of the retreat.
After returning to the Ligmincha Texas website, you will 1) get the link to the Retreat Handouts (SAVE THE LINK), and 2) get the Zoom Registration Link. You must follow the Zoom Registration Link and fill out the form to register. After you are registered with Zoom, a confirmation email will be sent to you by Zoom that includes your personal links to join the retreat.
Download the free Zoom app in advance of the retreat by going to https://zoom.us/download
Retreat teachings and practices will be taught in English. Translators may be added – please check back.
The practice sessions of the retreat will be recorded and made available to registrants. The teaching sessions WILL NOT BE RECORDED.
ZOOM REGISTRATION:
Registrants can choose the following options: $75, $100, and $125. There is also an option to enter a greater or lesser amount. Financial hardship need not prevent practitioners from attending teachings. If your situation warrants it, please pay any amount you can comfortably afford by typing that in the box that says “Other Amount”.
Zoom Registration
IN PERSON ON SITE REGISTRATION:
The Ligmincha Texas Board and Officers encourage all participants to take healthy actions to protect themselves and others when in close proximity to one another and to accord welcome and courtesy to those whose choices differ from their own. Thanks to all for being mindful.
Ligmincha Texas, Inc. is making reasonable efforts to prevent the spread of disease and is following CDC guidelines. Attendee understands that the infection rate for COVID continues to fluctuate and that these policies may change to better reflect CDC guidelines in regard to the prevention of contracting Covid-19. Attendee agrees to abide by whatever Ligmincha Texas guidelines are at this retreat. By registering below, the attendee agrees to waive right to bring any claims, including claims of negligence, against Ligmincha Texas, Inc. related to exposure and/or infection by the COVID virus.
Handouts will not be provided on site. You must print out the handouts before hand from the link to the Google Drive folder that will be provided after successful registration, and bring your handouts with you.
Registrants can choose the following options: $75, $100, and $125.
In Person Registration $75
In Person Registration $100
In Person Registration $125
For questions or more information, contact us at info@ligminchatexas.org
Joyful Practice of Ancient Bön Teachings for Living Well
ANI SHERAB WANGMO is a nun from the Yungdrung Bön Tibetan Tradition, authorized instructor for the Lineage and practitioner for 29 years. Her name means “the nun initiated in Wisdom” and her Getsukma vows were granted by His Holiness Lungtok Tenpai Nyima, Abbot of the Menri monastery in India in 2007.
Before encountering the Yungdrung Bön Tradition of Tibet (in 1995), she followed a realized Vedantic master called Swami Chinmayananda for five years (1987-1992) till he passed away. She stayed six months in an ashram in the Himalayas to do meditation retreat and learn Sanskrit in 1989. She has also had several 6-month retreats in Triten Norbutse, Nepal, and Menri Monastery in India.
His Eminence Yongdzin Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche is her Root Lama since 1999 and she has followed His teachings since. She has also received teachings from Khenpo Tenpa Yungdrung Rinpoche, Lama Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, Khenpo Gelek Jimpa, Geshe Chapur and other Geshes. In 2005 she went on a one-month pilgrimage to sacred Zhang Zhung sites mainly in lake Dangra Yumtso, Namtso, Triten Norbutse and Yungdrung Ling Monasteries. One of the most important results of this pilgrimage was that she brought back relics and sacred offerings of the sacred sites, donations of Bonpo hermits, and relics from Triten Norbutse monastery in Tibet to be placed in the hearts of five different stupas: two in Dolpo, one in Torreón, Mexico, one in Valle de Bravo, Mexico and the last one in Shenten Dargye Ling in France.
In different years she has had six month personal retreats in the main monasteries in exile with the founding Teachers and for 10 years she attends Dzogchen training from Yongdzin Rinpoche la in Shenten Dargye Ling, France. Currently she lives in La Paz, Mexico and coordinates one sangha there.
