Lama Tashi Gyaltsen

[sereneorange]

 

Today, I went to the Jung Center to see Lama Tashi Gyaltsen perform the Tibetan Chöd Cham. He was there to perform this so that it could be recorded for archival purposes. They had considered going Dolpo, Nepal to his monastery, but there is no electricity and that would be a lot of batteries to haul. He is now one of 4 people that know this meditative dance. He recently taught 2 others in the Ligmincha Institute in Virginia.

The Tibetan practice of Chöd, literally translated as ‘cutting’ is an unusual meditative practice. Instead of being done sitting quietly and comfortably on a cushion inside a shrine room, this meditation is purposely performed in frightening places, such as cemeteries and charnel grounds. In this setting the chöpa (chöd practitioner) utilizes singing, dancing, and playing special bone instruments, to cut through fear and the misunderstood relationship with his/her own ‘self’ (a concept that has been discussed for centuries in the Tibetan religious and philosophical traditions).

This event portrayed a unique ritual dance in which Lama Tashi 'played" with demons and spirits of the four directions, and then 'transform' the relationship through offerings, including the visualization of one's own body—representing the ego or self-- as a banquet to an assembly of demons, spirits, sentient beings, and enlightened beings.

My teacher, Alejandro Chaoul is writing a book on the practice of Chöd. Here is an article that he wrote about it. He is also giving a lecture about it at the Jung Center in October. I plan on being there. This practice is facinating to me.

Tomorrow, Lama Tashi will continue the Lung (Transmission) of the Zhang Zhung Nyan Gyud and he will meditate with us from 10-5. It is a great blessing to receive this lung. Lama Tashi is a noted meditation master.

Comments

[rimrunner.livejournal.com]

Wow. That is really interesting and reminds me (at least on the surface) of certain of my own practices. I'd like to read/see more about it.

[serene-orange.livejournal.com]

I can't wait for Alejandro's book to come out.

The practice I attend is Bon

[nighthob.livejournal.com]

That's awesome! I can't wait for your teacher's book to be published. The article was great.

What a fascinating practice to gain insight into the wisdom of emptiness.

Thanks for sharing.