Through the weaving together of expressive arts with guided meditation, visualization, poetry and reflection, we’ll spend the day inviting our spirits to engage in meditative play. We’ll use SoulCollage®, a technique that involves contemplatively selecting and gluing magazine images onto 5” x 8” cards as a tool for inquiring into and deepening our meditation practice. The SoulCollage process helps us to discover and explore our authentic selves, bringing healing to ourselves and to others through creative expression. We’ll incorporate mindfulness and reflection in order to look inward using the creative process to explore our practice. We’ll engage in contemplative sharing, allowing us to learn about ourselves and listen to one another in a safe, supportive environment.

During the workshop we’ll explore two themes: What brings you joy or delight? and What helps you relax into “Samadhi”? (Samadhi might be described as a state of whole-hearted and deeply embodied awareness). We’ll examine these two themes and how they relate to our meditation practice and daily living through the medium of SoulCollage, personal reflection, and group sharing.

These workshops are a safe place for us to “play” and explore—no art experience or talent is needed! Those who especially feel “I am not creative,” are encouraged to attend. Come allow your inner child to play!

The Facilitator:
Tseme Garcia, MA, CCRP, CNC, CFSP has been providing individual and small- group spiritual guidance using expressive arts and contemplative practices since 2004. She has used SoulCollage and other expressive arts to explore her own spiritual journey for more than a decade. Tseme is a Certified Nutritional Consultant and Holistic Wellness Coach who teaches whole foods nutrition to individuals and small groups using the Food+SpiritTM approach to mind-body healing, nutrition, and wellness. She guides Gyalshen Modesto Sangha and studies Bön Tibetan Buddhist meditation and spirituality. She holds a Master’s degree from Sofia University; a Certificate in Expressive Arts from John F. Kennedy University; and a Certificate in Interfaith Spiritual Direction from the Hesychia School of Spiritual Direction.

Necessary supplies including magazines will be provided, but feel free to bring any favorite magazine images or personal photographs that you might wish to use.

Please register in advance so that we may have enough materials for all attendees.

Sherab Chamma (Wisdom Loving Mother) Daylong Meditation Retreat

Taught by Geshe Chaphur

Saturday, October 4, 2014, 10 am to 4 pm

Co-Sponsored by Insight Meditation Central Valley and Gyalshen Modesto Sangha

PROGRAM: This day-long retreat will provide instruction and practice in the recitation of the mantras, invocations, prayers, and visualization of Sherab Chamma, known as the Wisdom Loving Mother.

Sherab Chamma is known as the Mother of all Enlightened Ones or Mother of all Buddhas. The Wisdom Loving Mother’s devotion to acts of love over many lifetimes transformed her into a goddess whose unconditional loving energy compassionately protects all beings. She embodies the divine feminine energy of boundless love and is the source of all compassion. By Her blessings and energy she eliminates all karmic obstacles, healing, blessing and guiding us wherever we are. Through recitation of her secret mantra, invocations, and prayers, she expands our awareness and clears up negative karma, bringing peace and harmony. These practices provide healing energy which is of special benefit for resolving imbalances in both physical and mental health.

As an enlightened deity, she manifests in many different forms according to the needs of practitioners. She is known in Sanskrit as the goddess Tara. Sherab Chamma is available to everyone for comfort, guidance and healing as she has the power to dispel all obstacles. The invocation of her energy manifests in eight different peaceful ways to help overcome eight different fears and challenges such as struggles with enemies, negative forces, illness, sadness, fear of the unknown, and death. Meditating upon her transforms our fears into self-arising wisdom so that we are able to creatively embrace the many challenges of life.

All levels of practitioners are warmly welcome.

REGISTRATION: Please pre-register below so that we know how many people are planning on attending and so we can have adequate materials available.

COST: As is customary within the Tibetan and Insight traditions, there will be an opportunity to make a donation at the end of the retreat to the teacher and to support future Insight Meditation daylong retreats.

LOCATION:

Sarana Kuti Building at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Stanislaus County 2172 Kiernan Avenue, Modesto, CA

TEACHER: Geshe Chaphur is a lineage holder of the Chaphur Lama family and was born in Amdo Ngawa, Tibet. He received his first instructions in Bön, the indigenous religion of Tibet and Zhang-Zhung cultures and tradition from his first teacher Bongya Rinpoche, the head lama of Bongya monastery in Northern Tibet. In 1993, he went to India and entered Menri Monastery, the main seat of Yungdung Bön religion and education in the world. While attending the Bön Dialectic School there, he completed fifteen years of studies in Sutra, Tantra and Dzogchen, finally receiving his Geshe degree in February 2008. He is the founder, spiritual director, and resident lama of Gyalshen Institute, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, an organization dedicated to preserving and translating the teachings of the Bön tradition.

WHAT TO BRING:

• Meditation cushion or pillow if you wish to sit on the floor. (Chairs will be available.)
• Please bring a vegetarian dish to share during the potluck at the one-hour lunch break.