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Medicine Buddha retreat

Ada_BAda_B
edited January 2011 in Sanghas
Hi Everyone,
I'm thinking of going on a two-day Medicine Buddha retreat, at my sangha house (Tibetan Kagyu). Apparently, the teacher is a disciple of Lama Chime Rinpoche, with a particular interest in helping people with physical and/or emotional problems. So I imagine a lot of people at the retreat will have health problems, like myself (albeit not the same health problem).

Although I love many aspects of Tibetan practice, I'm a little wary of the 'magical' practices, but this sounded pretty down-to-earth and sensible. Apparently, the practice is to do with visualising healing 'energy' and learning how to change our view from suffering, to helpful learning experiences.

I said I didn't want to go anywhere near any leg-lengthening or other shinnanagins I experienced as an evangelical Christian, but they laughed and assured me there was nothing like that.

Anyone else done anything like this? I'll report back what happens if anyone's interested.

Comments

  • compassionate_warriorcompassionate_warrior Veteran
    I've received the Medicine Buddha empowerment. I think any Medicine Buddha practices are pretty straightforward, not magical. Involving visualizations, as you mentioned. But who is this person who's interested in helping people with emotional problems? Sounds like a Westerner. Everything I've heard and read about Tibetan teachers is about how they don't understand the emotional problems that plague Westerners, but maybe times are changing. I hope this is an ethical person who won't take advantage of vulnerable students.
  • cazcaz Veteran United Kingdom Veteran
    Medicine Buddha is very good and if you understand Tantra there isnt really anything magical about it. Definitly go for it ! :)
  • Ada_BAda_B
    edited January 2011
    @compassionate_warrior It's been run by Karrim Rabi-laleh, who I presume is Tibetan.

    P.S. Karrim Rabi-laleh is not a rare name, as I've Googled it and he's everything from the name of an Australian New Age group, to a computer software security specialist, to a childrens charity worker in London, and more besides. Weird how we assume that a "foreign" name is unique when it could be their equivalent of John Smith ;)
  • DakiniDakini Veteran
    edited January 2011
    Karrim isn't a Tibetan name,I think it's Muslim, but...whatever. Just keep an eye on the other students while you're there, Ada_B. Let us know how it went. :)
  • Ada_BAda_B
    Well it's all booked and organised - just have to get there! And I have confirmed that our retreat leader is a former Muslim, which really intrigues me. My lay meditation teacher has known him for many years, and says he has a reputation for being an excellent listener, also highly intelligent and focussed.

    I can't help thinking that people who come from other religious, monotheist backgrounds have a lot to offer - particularly for those of us who also come from monotheist backgrounds.
  • compassionate_warriorcompassionate_warrior Veteran
    Sounds very interesting, Ada_B. I think you're in for a very intellectually and spiritually stimulating time. Enjoy. :)
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