Introduction to Longchenpa and Finding Rest in the Nature of Mind

PMC is delighted to announce a new teaching series on a foundational and classic text: Finding Rest in the Nature of Mind, by Longchen Rabjam (b.1308 – d.1364). 

Known as the “Omniscient One”, Longchenpa was a consummate scholar and adept of the Natural Great Perfection. His most well-known writings, including the Seven Treasures, the Trilogy of Dispelling Darkness, and the Trilogy of Rest, distill the key points of the entire Buddhist path and elucidate, unlike others, the most subtle and profound instructions for taking wisdom as the path as found within the Great Perfection tradition. 

Longchenpa’s brilliant teachings provide Buddhist practitioners a complete manual for practicing the entire spiritual path, starting from the four traditional contemplations that prepare the mind to enter the gateway of refuge to precise guidance on highly advanced meditation techniques. The first book of his Trilogy of Rest, Finding Rest in the Nature of Mind, contains thirteen chapters of beautiful and evocative verse that present the most important teachings from both sutra and mantra perspectives for the Buddhist practitioner interested in pursuing the goal of liberation. 

This introductory session will introduce this multi-year teaching, and students will begin by engaging the first four chapters of the text, which cover the four important "mind-turning" reflections: the freedoms and advantages of a human birth, impermanence, suffering, and karma. 

Since the text is best studied and practiced sequentially, participation in subsequent teachings depends upon joining the class from the beginning.  Future teaching blocks are anticipated in late fall 2021, and early spring, 2022, and will be announced progressively. To learn more about the teaching, please join us for this informational session with the teacher, Christina Monson.

Christina Monson has over thirty years of study, translation, and practice experience in traditions of Buddhism. Immersion in the study of eastern religions as a college student led her to Nepal in 1989 where she met her root guru, Chatral Sangye Dorje, under whose principal guidance she studied and practiced for the next three decades. Additionally, she lived and studied closely with other great masters including Soktse Rinpoche and Chhoje Rinpoche who guided her through many intensive retreats and clarified her understanding of the pith practice instructions. Christina focuses her practice and translation on the lineages of the Dudjom Tersar and of the dakini Sera Khandro. Her joy is to partner with students on journeys of internalizing the teachings of Buddha through practical, lived experience.