Our mind is central to our experience of life and death, so it makes sense to nurture our minds to experience more wakefulness and love.
In his book, “The Great Path of Awakening” Jargon Kontrul teaches that facing death with courage, compassion, and wisdom transforms the dying experience.
By embracing impermanence, practicing kindness, and nurturing awareness, we approach death not as an end but as part of the ongoing journey of the mind.
Jamgon Kongtrul’s teachings help us move beyond fear and sorrow, inviting us to live and die with grace, presence, and compassion.
Thoughts of death can encourage a grateful attitude toward the preciousness of life and ignite a desire for a nurturing practice of mindfulness.
In the morning of retreat, we will discuss Jamgon Kongtrul’s teachings on the “5 powers” (five strategies for cultivating a successful spiritual practice) and show how they can also be important preparatory tools for facing the end of life.
In the afternoon, we will use these same teachings to guide us on an imaginary journey through our own dying process.
We will also hear inspiring and practical advice from Chaplain Cathy Lhamo Jackson, who has prayed at the bedsides of the dying for more than a decade. Her experiences will help us see another side of illness and change.
We will end the retreat with a discussion and debriefing, with an eye toward applying these teachings in our daily lives.
Please bring a vegetarian sack lunch.
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About Lama Tom
Lama Tom Broadwater became a student of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche in1999. He completed a 3 year retreat in 2012. He currently serves as an Associate Lama at Columbus Karma Thegsum Chöling Buddhist Meditation Center in Columbus OH. Coal miner 4 years. Social worker and social administrator 35 years. Married 45 years. Father of two daughters and 3 grandchildren.
About Chaplain Cathy Jackson
Chaplain Cathy Lhamo has been a student of dharma and Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche since the 1980s. She currently serves the KTC community as a senior meditation instructor. She works as a Buddhist hospital chaplain at a Columbus medical center.