Ann Arbor Special Events Jan – April 2013
TEACHINGS with GELEK RIMPOCHE
ESSENCE OF TIBETAN BUDDHISM
SUNDAY MORNING PROGRAMS AT JEWEL HEART
We invite you to enjoy WEEKLY Sunday morning teachings with Gelek Rimpoche. Speaking from Ann Arbor and New York and other locations, these talks will also be a live video webcast.
Stay tuned to Rimpoche’s calendar and the webcast calendar for the 2013 schedule.
You are welcome to participate in any or all of the following Sunday Morning Program activities:
8:45 – 9:45am: Concentrated Meditation
10 – 11am: Essence of Tibetan Buddhism
11am – 11:30am: Tea, Cookies and Conversation
11:30am – 12:30pm: White Tara Guided Meditation
Please note there will be no Sunday morning programs on February 24 and March 3.
Essence of Tibetan Buddhism is also available on live video webcast.
To become a Jewel Heart webcast subscriber, visit www.jewelheart.org/webcast-subscription/.
ALSO on SUNDAY AFTERNOONS: WU STYLE TAI CHI,
4 – 5:30pm
Please note there will be no Tai Chi sessions on February 24 and March 3.
Learn meditation in motion with this “soft style” martial art, emphasizing relaxation and balance with Marilyn Feingold.
Suggested donation: $5
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Thursday, February 21 – Sunday, March 3
Jewel Heart, Ann Arbor, MI 48108

We are delighted to invite you to join Gelek Rimpoche at the 2013 Jewel Heart Vajrayana Winter Retreat. The focus if this retreat is Lama Chopa, a tremendously important devotional practice that draws us close to the guru and ultimately to our own enlightenment.
Setting conditions to deepen our relationship with the guru and our own spiritual development through offerings, purification and blessings for our path, this time-honored practice provides us with the perfect base for full accomplishment of our purposes to benefit ourselves and others.
This retreat is open to those who have highest yoga tantra initiation. A two-day initiation (tba) will open the retreat. To learn requirements for the initiation, please contact Programs at [email protected] or 734 994 3387, extension 2.
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The Living Ancient Art of Tibetan Buddhist Thangkas with Tibetan Buddhist Master Gelek Rimpoche
Sunday, February 24, 3 pm
Helmut Stern Auditorium
University of Michigan Museum of Art
Join Gelek Rimpoche’s public talk as part of the exhibition Buddhist Thangkas and Treasures: The Walter Koelz Collection, Museum of Anthropology. The exhibition is part of the UM Collections Collaborations series, co-organized by and presented at UMMA and designed to showcase the renowned and diverse collections at the University of Michigan. The UM Collections Collaborations series is generously supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
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Introduction to Meditation
Wednesday, March 13, 5:30 pm
Jewel Heart, 1129 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor
Taking inspiration from the UMMA exhibition Buddhist Thangkas and Treasures: The Walter Koelz Collection, Museum of Anthropology (on view February 23 through June 9, 2013), which features these colorful and fascinating paintings often used in Buddhist religious practice, Jewel Heart of Ann Arbor invites you to come enjoy a hands-on session of guided meditation, including healing visualization techniques.
We invite you to experience first-hand the living tradition presented in this exhibition with a meditation session. No prior experience with meditation or familiarity with Buddhism is required.
This program is offered by Jewel Heart, the Ann Arbor headquarters of the Tibetan Buddhist organization founded by Gelek Rimpoche. Another session will be offered on Tuesday, May 7 at 5:30 pm. For more information, please visit http://www.jewelheart.org/ or call Jewel Heart at (734) 994-3387.
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Surviving the Dragon: An Evening with Arjia Rinpoche
co-hosted by Jewel Heart and Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tea Room
Wednesday, March 20, 2013, 7pm
Jewel Heart, 1129 Oak Valley Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Join us for an intriguing talk and book signing with Arjia Rinpoche sharing his memoir ~ SURVIVING THE DRAGON ~ “An intimate account of one man’s struggle for freedom tells the larger story of the Chinese Cultural Revolution and Tibet’s ongoing fight for independence.”
Suggested Donation Sliding Scale at the Door ~ $5 – $10*
* If you cannot afford a donation, please do come ~ you are most welcome!
For flyer with more details, click here.
QUESTIONS?
Contact Jewel Heart:
[email protected] or 734 994 3387 x 221
Contact Crazy Wisdom:
[email protected] or 734 665 2757
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Ann Arbor Programs Jan – April 2013
ANN ARBOR PROGRAM COURSES AND WORKSHOPS
DE LAM
Mondays, 7– 8:30pm
$110/ Jewel Heart Members – Free
Delam, or the Smooth Path, is a multi-dimensional map that, when followed with genuine effort, will help us remove limitations imposed by fear and confusion, opening our hearts and minds to reach their fullest potential. Following Gelek Rimpoche’s transcript, De Lam, this course presents aspects of life for meditation that will deepen our relationship with the guru, ourselves, and ultimately bring about our future enlightenment.
January 14, 28, February 11, March 4, 18, April 1, 15, 29, May 13, June 3, 17
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VAJRAYANA PATHS AND STAGES
Mondays, 7– 8:30pm
$80/ Jewel Heart Members – Free
Vajrayana, the tantric/esoteric aspect of Buddha’s teachings, is rooted in experiential understanding of the intention of the sutras – development of compassion and wisdom. A course for those with highest yoga tantra initiation only, it follows Rimpoche’s transcript, Introduction to Vajrayana, exploring the structure of vajrayana and highlighting stages and practices from taking initiation up to the ultimate union of the Vajradhara state.
February 4, 18, March 11, 25, April 8, 22, May 6, May 20
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GOM WEEKEND
March 22 – March 24
Donation only
GOM, or concentrated meditation, is an essential tool that helps develop peace and joy as well as the power to deeply understand wisdom. This intensive weekend includes practice session with light guidance. Silence is maintained. Sessions include sitting and walking meditations. Instructors are available for assistance. Please bring brown bag meals and snacks. Tea/Coffee provided.
Friday, 7pm – 9pm
Saturday, 9am – 8:30 pm
Sunday, 8:45am – 6pm (with break for 10 – 11am Sunday morning talk)
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THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS
Wednesdays, 7– 8:30pm
$80/ Jewel Heart Members – Free
This course introduces Buddha’s revolutionary message that suffering can come to an end through one’s own efforts. Following Gelek Rimpoche’s transcript, Four Noble Truths, participants rely on readings, discussion and meditation.
March 27, April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15
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DEEPENING AWARENESS: THE PRACTICE OF MINDFULNESS MEDITATION
Thursdays, 7 – 8:30pm
$80/ Jewel Heart Members – Free
Becoming more aware of our thoughts, feelings and sensations through meditation opens the door to understanding the nature of our mind and
how it influences our experience. While open to all, it is recommended to follow Creating Space: Clarity and Insight through Meditation.
March 28, April 4, 11, 18, 25, May 2, 9, 16
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FREE FILM AND DISCUSSION – Fridays, Monthly, 7pm
Bring your friends and enjoy a free film and discussion about dharma and the film. Concessions are also available.
January 25 – 4 short films, 2012 Academy Awards nominees with 2 of the winners.
- RAJU – A German couple adopting a young boy in India must make a difficult choice.
- TIME FREAK – A neurotic inventor builds a time machine and gets caught up traveling around yesterday.
- THE SHORE – An inspiring story of boyhood best friends as they reconcile after being divided 25 years.
- THE FANTASTIC FLYING BOOKS OF MR. MORRIS LESSMORE – A poignant, humorous allegory about the curative powers of story.
February 15 – FINDING JOE (2012) An exploration of Joseph Campbell’s study of the Hero’s journey, showing how Campbell’s work is relevant and essential in today’s world and can provide a narrative for how to live a fully realized life.
March 29 – THE LAMP: All things are possible if you JUST BELIEVE (2011) A film about a father regaining hope and healing after a devastating loss.
April 26 – SEDONA (2011) Visitors to the mystical town of Sedona Arizona encounter eccentric characters and a series of calamities that lead them to unexpected miracles.
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JEWEL HEART READERS – Tuesdays, Monthly, 7 – 8:30pm
Enjoy lively discussion of dharma related book selections monthly.
January 8, February 12, March 12, April 9
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KNITTING SOCIAL – Sundays, Monthly, 1 – 4pm
All are invited to this monthly Sangha Council social gathering. Loving Kindness Knitting & Crafts includes all crafts, arts and handiwork. Bring your current project(s) if you have one or join our Squares project. We have lots of yarn to go around.
January 13, February 3, March 10, April 14
ART OF LIVING
Wednesdays, 7 – 8:30pm
$80/ Jewel Heart Members – Free
We long for meaning, for an effective way to bring insight and heart to the ordinary circumstances and inevitable challenges of our daily lives. Following Gelek Rimpoche’s book, Good Life, Good Death, this course will explore pragmatic methods to bring depth, meaning, and joy to our lives.
January 9, 16, 23, 30, February 6, 13, 20, March 6 No meeting February 27
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CREATING SPACE: CLARITY AND INSIGHT THROUGH MEDITATION
Thursdays, 7 – 8:30pm
$80/ Jewel Heart Members – Free
Meditation provides a clear stable mind, necessary for a happy life and foundation for deepening our spiritual journey. This course offers hands-on experience with the basic elements of meditation, using breath, posture and techniques for coping with distractions and laxity of the mind.
January 10, 17, 24, 31, February 7, 14, March 7, 14 No meetings February 21 and 28
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GANDEN LHA GYEMA
Thursdays, 7 – 8:30pm
$80/ Jewel Heart Members – Free
One of the most popular practices in the Tsong Khapa tradition, Ganden Lha Gyema deepens our connection with the enlightened through
meditational exercises and enriches our inner development. With grounded appreciation for the spiritual teacher, this practice uplifts through generosity, respect, purification, rejoicing and many beneficial activities. Instruction on specific visualization practices with the Migtsema mantra.
January 10, 17, 24, 31, February 7, 14, March 7, 14 No meetings February 21 and 28