Programs

Stories of the late great Chogyam Trungpa: a conversation with Sanskrit and Tibetan translator Larry Mermelstein about the early days of Tibetan Buddhism in America. Sky Lake is delighted to welcome Mr. Mermelstein, distinguished Buddhist translator and teacher. Larry was in the room when Chogyam Trungpa gathered a sangha of practitioners; introduced the profound teachings of Tibetan Buddhism to the United States; and created Shambhala Training, a secular program of meditation. Given Larry’s colorful memories and gift for storytelling, you may anticipate a lively and enjoyable evening! $10 suggested donation (optional) About the Series Open House at Sky Lake is…

THE BARDOS OF LIVING & DYING: An Introduction to a Buddhist Approach to Life Transitions Saturday, June 1 from 9:00am to 12:00pm suggested donation $25 How can we prepare to transition from this life with a calm and open heart? How can we use major life upheavals for growth and transformation ?  This interactive workshop will provide an introduction to the Tibetan Buddhist concept of bardos (literally, in-between spaces) of life and death with some tools to help work with these moments in our own life. Our focus will be on practical application but will include a brief presentation of…

We often think of our practice as something that happens on the meditation cushion. From the Mahayana point of view, our whole life is the path of awakening. This perspective is encapsulated in namthar literature, Tibetan stories of “complete liberation” that recount lives of Buddhist practitioners who met challenges and endured adversity, bringing everything onto the path. When we rouse bodhicitta, the aspiration for all beings to be free of suffering, and allow that to guide our life choices, then every step becomes part of the path, and we become living bodhisattvas. In this retreat, we will rouse bodhicitta through…