Eight Verses of Mind Training, with Erric Solomon

Eight Verses of Mind Training

14th – 18th April 2022

About this Retreat

This is a four-day retreat with Erric Solomon. Erric will take us through the main points of this well known text on Lojong (Wyl. blo sbyong) by Geshe Langri Tangpa. The Tibetan word ‘Lojong’ means training the mind and emphasises the practice of bodhicitta. You can read the Eight Verses of Mind Training via Lotsawa House.

You can attend this retreat online, attend as a day visitor and we also have a some places for staying on site. Please see the options below.

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Practicing the Eight Verses

Some words from Erric:

Most of us don’t have the circumstances to spend hours a day practicing. What if there was a way to use every situation that occurs in our daily lives as nourishment for our spiritual and emotional well-being? These short but pithy verses give us a way to make everything we do an opportunity for awakening. The entire path is revealed within these eight stanzas.

I have received teachings on the Eight Verses from my teachers. And I will try my very best to communicate their blessing and wisdom, in my usual somewhat unorthodox style. Which means that I will follow the tradition of explanation of my teachers, and make it completely relevant to challenges and opportunities of modern life. Even if you’ve received these teachings before, I am confident there will be more than a few things you haven’t heard before.

Although the text is very traditional, it presents a radical view of human potential that is still vital for today’s world.

Read the Eight Verses of Mind Training

By thinking of all sentient beings
As more precious than a wish-fulfilling jewel
For accomplishing the highest aim,
I will always hold them dear.
(Eight Verses of Training the Mind by Geshe Langri Thangpa, verse 1.)

This will be the start of a Mahayana programme of teachings that will continue through subsequent visits. The essence of the Mahayana is the aspiration to attain Buddhahood to help all beings find liberation from suffering. This aspiration is called bodhichitta, the ‘heart of enlightened mind’, and is realised on both an absolute and relative level.

Practicalities and Attendance Options

The 4 day retreat will begin on the Thursday evening (14th April) and conclude on Monday afternoon (18th April). Below we have detailed attendance options for attending online, staying on-site and attending as a day visitor. If you have any questions about our attendance options, please don’t hesitate to contact helen@gomde.uk

Register

Attendance Online: £60.00
You can attend the retreat via online from home via zoom.

Attendance In-person – staying on site at Gomde: £240.00
We are offering a limited number of single rooms. If you are able to share with someone you know, then we can offer a twin. Please detail within special requests. The suggested donation covers accommodation, all meals and attending the teachings.

Attendance as a Day Visitor –staying off-site: £120.00
Due to limited rooms on site, staying off-site is an option, you may wish to attend the retreat as a day visitor, which includes lunch. The suggested donation covers lunch on Saturday and Sunday and attending the teachings. Local options include, Travelodge Doncaster M18/M180, Premier Inn.

Retreat Schedule

Thursday 14th April
The retreat will begin at 6.30pm with an introductory talk from Erric.

Friday 15th – Sunday 17th April
Erric will teach in the morning and afternoon.
These will be approximately 9.30am – 12.30pm (with breaks) and 2.00pm – 4.00pm (with breaks).

Monday 18th April
There will be on teaching session in the morning, followed by lunch.
The retreat will conclude at 1.30pm.

Donations for Erric Solomon

It is traditional to make offerings to the teacher following retreat. This enables practitioners to show their appreciation to the teacher for offering the rare and liberating instructions. It is always good to be generous. Please give what you can afford.