About this Event
Rigpa UK is honoured and delighted to welcome back Andy Karr to our London Centre. Over these two days, Andy will be teaching based on his new book, and guiding us on a journey to explore what it means to look 'Into the Mirror'—especially in the context of our modern age, with all of its challenges and complexities—drawing upon the profound and practical wisdom of the Buddhist Mahayana view.
“The modern world has been incredibly successful at producing material wealth, scientific knowledge and technological innovation. But all these advances have not led to corresponding improvements in our psychological wellbeing, social harmony, spiritual wealth, or the health of this planet.
Materialism is a mirage that binds us to the relentless pursuit of dissatisfaction. There is no water to be found in a mirage and there is no lasting satisfaction to be found in anything that can be possessed. You only need to learn about the lives of the very rich and the very powerful to see that they do not escape from suffering and dissatisfaction.
The roots of suffering and dissatisfaction are found within the mind. Only by taking mind seriously, and uncovering the wisdom that is hidden within, can we hope to find liberation from the personal, social and environmental plagues that torment the modern world. Through a variety of contemporary and traditional investigations, ‘Into the Mirror’ takes us on an experiential journey through the progressive insights of the Mahayana, and offers us practical advice about how to put these insights into practice.”
‘Into the Mirror’ serves as a guidebook for a Mahayana journey to Shunyata—the empty, luminous nature of reality itself. This profound insight opens the door to freedom. Over this weekend, we’ll investigate ways to overcome the materialism and ignorance that shroud shunyata, using powerful methods from Mahayana Buddhism and various contemporary approaches. We’ll explore techniques for cutting the karmic chain reactions that bind us in samsara. We’ll look into contemporary thinking that challenges our materialistic assumptions. We’ll investigate techniques for deconstructing mental fabrications and elaborations. Finally, we will learn how recognizing the basic ground of being, dissolves the foundations of duality.
“This is the universal ground of everything: it is the basis of freedom and also the basis of confusion.” – Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, The Sadhana of Mahamudra
Biography
Andy Karr is a teacher, author, and contemplative photographer offering profound and penetrating insights into dharma and mind. He trained under great Masters including Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Khenpo Tsültrim Gyamtso Rinpoche. He co-founded the first Shambhala Centre in France and studied contemplative photography with Michael Wood. Andy’s first book, Contemplating Reality, is a series of investigations into the nature of mind and the phenomenal world. Andy’s second book, written with Michael Wood, The Practice of Contemplative Photography: Seeing the World with Fresh Eyes, teaches the most essential photographic skill—clear seeing. This was an opportunity to bring together the Dharma Art teachings of Trungpa Rinpoche, the Mahamudra teachings of Khenpo Rinpoche, and Michael’s insights into photography as a contemplative practice.
Nowadays, Andy mainly teaches Mahayana view and meditation, and Mahamudra. To learn more about Andy’s work, go to www.andykarrauthor.com.
** Optional event extension **
‘Into the Mirror’ Youth Retreat Day, Monday 8th April
For those of us who are 18-35 years old and are interested to explore how these potent and challenging teachings apply to life as we’re living it now, come along for this extension day to follow on and further deepen the insights and benefits of the weekend! We’ll be taking time to delve into our own experience and insights, sharing them in a safe and creative space with others, and relaxing together to enjoy the whole process!
PLEASE NOTE this extension day is not a stand-alone event, and is only open to participants who are also attending the full weekend. Held by an experienced team from Rigpa UK. Booking for the Youth Retreat Day is through this Eventbrite ticket.
TICKET INFO
Price
Full Weekend: The suggested donation is £70, but donations of any amount are welcome.
Full Weekend PLUS Youth Retreat Day on Monday 8th April: The suggested donation is £100, but donations of any amount are welcome.
If you would like to participate, but do not have the financial means - we are here to help. Please let us know at [email protected] and we will register you.
Please note: booking will close at 12pm on Friday 5th April 2024. The study.practice email will not be monitored after 4pm on the Friday.
Refunds
You can request an automatic refund through Eventbrite up to 24 hours before the event begins. The Eventbrite fee is non-refundable.
PLEASE NOTE: There will not be online access for this event.
BOOKING INFORMATION
The weekend will begin on Saturday morning at 10am and will conclude on Sunday afternoon 5pm. This is a two-day event, so please do your best to attend both days.
There will be a dedicated space for parents and children in the foyer, with a TV monitor to follow the teaching.
Accessibility
Please let us know in the Eventbrite booking process if you have a hearing, visual or hidden impairment or are less mobile and we'll do our best to accommodate you.
If you need wheelchair access, please let us know before booking at [email protected]
Health and wellbeing
Please note: meditation is not a substitute for medical treatment. If you are receiving treatment for a mental or physical health condition, please continue your treatment and check with your doctor/care professional if this event would be suitable for you.
In consideration of others' wellbeing, if you have symptoms of a respiratory infection and you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities, you are advised to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people.
We will continue to be mindful to keep the shrine room well ventilated before, during and after practice sessions as far as practicably possible and remind everyone to help prevent the spread of infection in general by continuing to observe good hygiene, and use of hand sanitiser provided.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Rigpa, 330 Caledonian Road, London, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00