Guru Yoga & Mandala Offerings Retreat Mar 12-14

Guru Yoga is a mental or spiritual practice that strengthens the connection with our Spiritual Guide, Guru Tsongkhapa so that we can receive blessings, purify our mind, accumulate merit, and become just like him. Guru Tsongkhapa indicates that our present spiritual guide and Je Tsongkhapa are of the same nature, and indistinguishable. By practicing Guru Yoga we can find lasting happiness, and help others do the same. 

Mandala means universe. Creating a representation of a pure universe that contains all pure things and offering it our Spiritual Guide accumulates positive energy or merit to fuel our spiritual journey. Without positive energy, it is difficult to experience real inner peace and happiness.  

The two practices of Guru Yoga and Mandala Offerings are part of the Preliminary Guides or preparations for engaging in a Retreat to attain Tantric realizations. Practitioners accumulate 100,000 mantra recitations and offerings in preparation for a long retreat.

In this retreat, we combine these two practices in each session.

If you are unfamiliar with these practices, you are encouraged to attend the Introductory Talk on Friday night at 7 pm, when Gen Tilopa will give a commentary.

You can also prepare for the Guru Yoga part of the retreat by reading the section on ‘Reliance on the Spiritual Guide’ p 113 in Joyful Path of Good Fortune 3rd ed. and the section on Je Tsongkhapa and the Migtsema prayer p 47 in Heart Jewel 2nd ed.

You can read about mandala offerings in The Oral Instructions of Mahamudra p19-27 2nd ed, Great Treasury of Merit, p145-153 2nd ed, and The New Guide to Dakini Land 2nd ed p97-102. All of these texts are by Ven Geshe Kelsang Gyatso: 

Our Resident Teacher, Gen Kelsang Tilopa, will give the Introductory Talk and guide the retreat sessions. 

FRIDAY, Mar 12

7:00–8:15 pm Introductory Talk

Retreat Schedule*:

SATURDAY, Mar 13

9–10:15 am Session 1

11:15 am–12:30 pm Session 2

2–3:15 pm Session 3

SUNDAY, Mar 14

8–9:15 am Session 1

11:30 am–12:45 pm Session 2

1:30 -2:15 pm Session 3