At the very heart of all the vajrayana traditions in Tibet is the Kagyü or whispered oral lineage that was transmitted by the Indian Mahasiddhas Tilopa and Naropa and then brought to Tibet by Marpa the translator. Of all the Kagyü traditions that flourished and spread from Marpa’s great yogi student Milarepa to this day, the Drigung Kagyü presentations of Five-Fold Mahamudra and the Six Yogas of Naropa distill the very quintessence of the vajrayana into highly accessible sets of meditation practices. Five-Fold Mahamudra includes meditation on bodhichitta or the awakened mind, the yidam deity, union with the mind of the outer, inner, secret, and ultimate teacher, mahamudra, and dedicating practice for the awakening of all beings throughout the universe.

The Six Yogas of Naropa consists of special methods that allow us to experience awakening directly in our own physical bodies and minds in all states of reality through learning to control our breath and subtle energy, our deep sleep, dreams, waking perception, and our minds at the time of death and beyond. These six practices are known as inner fire (Tummo), luminosity, dreams, illusory body, phowa, and the bardo. Together, the methods Five-Fold Mahamudra and the Six Yogas of Naropa represent a complete path that can lead to complete awakening in one lifetime if properly studied and practiced.

Led by Eric Fry-Miller, this will be a candid discussion in modern English about what these practices of ancient India and Tibet can mean for us here in the 21st century. The goal of these talks will be to impart a clear understanding of how these practices were both practiced extensively in the past and how we might practically apply them here in our daily lives and in our meditations.

This event is open to all and free of charge. Donations welcome.

Sunday, March 25th 2018
10am-Noon and 2pm – 5pm
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Eric Fry-Miller has been translating written Tibetan texts and live oral teachings by Tibetan Lamas for fifteen years. In that time he has completed a traditional three year retreat on the Drigung Kagyu practices of Five-fold Mahamudra and the Six Yogas of Naropa. He has also spent additional years in retreat focusing on the Dzogchen practices of the Nyingthig traditions.