Sadhana of Mahamudra

This is a free event.

Whether you are a new or seasoned meditator this practice will capture your heart and raise your spirits.  The essence of the whole path is captured in its outrageous and joyful expression

The Sadhana of Mahamudra is an extraordinary poetic practice text that beautifully and powerfully expresses the essence of the Vidyadhara Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s dharma transmission to the West.

It is a liturgy—both teaching and practice—written in traditional style by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche half a century ago, not long after he began working with western students. It is inspired by Padmasambhava (also known as Guru Rinpoche), an Indian teacher and yogi who was instrumental in bringing buddhadharma to Tibet. Indeed, the Sadhana is a terma, a teaching Guru Rinpoche magically concealed for a future time when it might be needed, and it was discovered by Chögyam Trungpa in our own times, when it is sorely needed, indeed.

The Sadhana underscores the profound simplicity of the dharma as presented by both the Kagyu-Mahamudra and Nyingma-Dzogchen lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. It directly addresses the spiritual materialism, abuse of power, and degeneration of practice that compromised Buddhism in Tibet and threaten to do the same in the West. It helps practitioners steer a middle path between the extremes of empty intellectualism and blind devotion.

“It is hoped that this Sadhana will be practiced by those who are prepared to see the living dharma within. The Sadhana will help to purify the present degenerate state of philosophy and meditation practice. It will help to bring peace in the warfare waged by materialism.”

Every full moon we do a practice called the Sadhana of Mahamudra. This practice is about an hour long, and involves reading aloud (in English) a sadhana or text, which was written by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche.

The Sadhana is a fierce supplication, confession, and declaration of victory over “The Lords of Materialism” that plague egocentric experience. 

It is practiced by Shambhala Centers worldwide. This practice is a means by which we can rouse our devotion and inspiration to practice, and thereby connect with the power and blessings of the past meditation masters in Tibet. The practice consists of meditation and chants, and lasts about an hour.  Everyone is welcome to attend.