The great Tibetan yogi Milarepa is renowned in Tibet and throughout the world as an exceptional meditation practitioner and teacher. He was also an accomplished poet, who composed 100,000 songs of inspiration, telling the tales of the challenges he encountered during his illustrious journey from confusion to awakening. His story is a painfully human one, exemplifying the powerful transformation that can take place through the application of courage, tenacity, and discipline.

Judy Lief is a Buddhist teacher who studied and trained under Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. She has been a teacher and practitioner for over 35 years, and continues to teach throughout the world. (Full bio here). Ms. Lief compiled and edited Trungpa Rinpoche’s various seminars on Milarepa into the recently published book, Milarepa: Lessons from the Life and Songs of Tibet’s Great Yogi, available here. The workshop will include talks and discussion sessions as well as group meditation practice.

Although the life stories of this great yogi come down to us from 11th century Tibet, here they have been made completely relevant for modern-day students of the dharma. Milarepa’s life illustrates a student’s journey from start to finish: how one can progress from being caught in the samsaric cycle of confusion, to becoming a student practicing the path of meditation, to then becoming a teacher oneself, and taking on the responsibility of helping others progress along the path. This classic pattern has allowed the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism to be passed on, in an unbroken line from teacher to student, stretching back many centuries to the time of Milarepa and well before.

Please join us for this exploration of the message and inspiration of Milarepa!

The program is open to all levels of experience; meditation instruction is provided for newcomers, or anyone wanting a refresher.  A lunch break will allow for a chance to socialize in small groups at any of the many nearby restaurants. 

From the reviews for the book: 

"Trungpa Rinpoche’s expansive take on the traumatic and colorful life of Milarepa as a template for our own lives takes the reader on a roller-coaster journey through ancient Tibet—and our own inner depths. If you are already a practicing Buddhist, this book will give you strength. If you are not, it will inspire you to get started as soon as possible."

—Norman Fischer, coauthor of What Is Zen: Plain Talk for a Beginner’s Mind

* WBC maintains a policy of making our programs affordable to all. Those with limited income please offer what you can afford on our donation page here and include a note for the program you are offering towards. Thank you!

DIRECTIONS

Eileen Fisher Headquarters

2 Bridge Street, Irvington, NY 10533

As you face the river, the entrance is on your left, on the northwest corner of the building.

1. From Route 9, turn onto Main Street, Irvington. Continue down hill (west) towards the train station.
2. Turn right on N. Ashton
3. Turn left on Bridge Street, continue on to River Street
4. Eileen Fisher’s space occupies the 2nd brick building. Turn right into Second Parking Lot
5. Enter Eileen Fisher – Door facing River

For those who walk from the Irvington train station.  As you face the river, it is the second large building on your left.  You enter from the river side, with your back to the river as you go through the door.