Chicago Karma Thegsum Choling

Sundays

  9:30 AM  Welcome Newcomers
10:00 AM Shinay (sitting meditation) & Dharma Class led by Lama Sean
11:00 AM Chenrezig/Amitabha Sadhana (chanting liturgy)                       

Shinay Meditation

Shinay means “calming” in Tibetan. Shinay meditation is the process of calming the mind to allow deeper awareness to come forward. This meditation involves holding the correct physical posture while focusing the mind on the sensation of breathing. Variations of this meditation are done in almost every other Buddhist tradition.

Instruction in Shinay is available before or during any Shinay meditation session.

Chenrezig Meditation

Chenrezig is the representation of compassion. Through Chenrezig meditation one develops a deeper compassion for the suffering of others and purifies one’s tendency for selfish motivation. The meditation itself involves chanting a liturgy while mentally performing a series of visualizations and finishing with mantras and an insight visualization. This liturgy also contains brief meditations of Amitabha and Guru Padmasambhava.

Instruction and guidance is available upon request. There are bimonthly guided Chenrezig sessions which walk practitioners through each step of the visualization.

Dharma class and discussion

The Dharma class and discussion at KTC focuses on the study of Buddhism in the Karma Kagyu tradition.  We are studying commentaries of traditional Buddhist texts by current Kagyu masters followed by discussion of practical aspects of Buddhist practice for Americans.  The sessions offer a very congenial, informal environment to study and discuss the Dharma. All questions and comments are welcome. All discussions are self-contained and require no previous instruction.

Please note: followers of other buddhist traditions (or even other religious faiths) are welcome to come to Chicago KTC to practice meditation or discuss Dharma. There is no need to be a 'Buddhist' or 'Karma Kagyu Buddhist' to join us in practice.