Contemplating death can be a doorway into profound freedom, inviting us to meet the certainty of our impermanence as a teacher and tremendous opportunity for awakening.

This seminar explores death and dying through the lens of Tibetan Buddhism, drawing particularly on the teachings of the great 11th century yogini Machig Labdrön. We will look at the many ways we habitually respond to death—avoidance, anxiety, fear—and learn how to shift into a fresh, honest, and inspired relationship with our own mortality. You’ll be invited to gently reflect on your own death: How do you wish to meet that moment? What state of mind do you want to cultivate when everything familiar falls away? In Machig’s wisdom tradition, the view is that we can actually recognize and rest into the infinitely compassionate ground of being from which came, which we have never left, and which we will dissolve back into. Our practice then is to relax and surrender, to rest the mind in openness, ease, presence, kindness, and curiosity both in our everyday life and in preparation for our death. This supportive retreat will include teachings and discussion, guided contemplations, and an introduction to the Skymind open awareness meditation. No previous meditation experience is necessary.

Lecture: Friday from 6 pm to 8 pm.
Cost: 20 euros.
Seminar: Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm and 3 pm to 6 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm.
Cost for seminar: 100 euros
plus Dana.