Awakening the Luminous Mind with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
Our company, FourGates.com meditation supplies department and Ask a Spiritual Teacher are pleased to assist with all your educational and finding the right equipment for sacred times. You can enjoy this mind expanding course Awakening the Luminous Mind from anywhere in the world.
This opportunity is a rare chance to study with a warm Tibetan Buddhist teacher. Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche is an acclaimed author and highly respected teacher to students around the world. He is renowned for his depth of wisdom; his clear, engaging teaching style; and his ability to make ancient Tibetan teachings highly accessible and relevant to the lives of Westerners.
Hay House is sponsoring the on-line course, Awakening the Luminous Mind: Tibetan Meditation for Finding Inner Refuge, a 3-Lesson on-line study series with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche.
Awakening the Luminous Mind course dates: August 7-21, 2012, 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm Pacific Time. But if you can’t make it Hay House offers the MP3′s for replays.
When we feel confused, a normal reaction is to reject the confusion, dwell on it excessively, or find ways to distract ourselves. We typically look outward in seeking comfort, support or advice. But external supports are only temporary and inevitably fail us. According to the Tibetan spiritual traditions, the best medicine is to be found within.
The nature of your true identity is open and clear, and it is the source of all healing as well as the source of creativity, love, joy, compassion, and all other positive qualities. When you can shift your attention from the problem to the awareness of the space of being, you will find that solutions to your problems arise naturally from that space. The whole universe arises, rests, and dissolves in that boundless space of infinite potential.
In this three-part series, Awakening the Luminous Mind, Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche will guide you in accessing and becoming familiar with the space of inner refuge, so you can live from that space with vibrancy and generosity.
Big Bonus! As an added bonus, when you purchase the course, you’ll receive a free copy of Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche’s newest book, Awakening the Luminous Mind: Tibetan Meditation for Inner Peace and Joy (Hay House, June 2012). Each book includes a bonus CD of guided meditations.
Lesson 1: Finding Refuge through the Three Doors –
August 7, 2012 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm, Pacific Time
In today’s session, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche introduces the three doorways to inner refuge, guiding a meditation practice that will help you connect deeply with the stillness of the body, the silence of speech, and the spaciousness of the mind. You will learn how to:
• Identify the source of any ongoing pain and confusion in your life
• Host that pain with non-conceptual awareness, allowing it to dissolve in the space of being
• Notice and nurture any positive qualities that arise from that clear space, the space that is absent of pain or confusion
• Use daily challenges as a reminder to turn inward for support and refuge.
To stay in touch with events, sales and up to date news, Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to keep in touch with events as they happen.
Lesson 2: Inner Refuge and Discovering the Sacred Self -
August 14, 2012 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm, Pacific Time
Through the release of pain and confusion, you can discover the sacred dimensions of body, speech, and mind. Rinpoche refers to these sacred dimensions as the body of emptiness, the body of light, and the body of great bliss. In today’s session, Rinpoche helps you renew your connection with the stillness, silence and spaciousness as an entryway to the three sacred dimensions. He shares a teaching poem of inner refuge that permits understanding and deep healing through:
• The openness of the body of emptiness
• The awareness of the body of light
• The warmth of the body of great bliss.
Lesson 3: The Gifts of Inner Refuge -
August 21, 2012 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm, Pacific Time
According to dzogchen, or the Great Perfection, positive experiences and actions naturally arise when you abide in the inner refuge. In today’s session Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche explains how you can not only benefit from the healing gift of refuge, but also use this gift to benefit others in your life and your world. A guided meditation practice will help you to access the gifts within and share them with others.
• By finding the gift of openness within, you can offer that gift to those in your life who are in most need of your openness.
• By connecting with the gift of awareness within, you can give others access to a deepening connection with you.
• By feeling the gift of warmth within, you can offer that gift to those who truly need your warmth.
Sponsored by: Hay House, promoted by FourGates.com meditation supplies department.
Format: on-line Lectures & Events
Location: Tuesdays: 8/7, 8/14, 8/21,
All 3 Lessons are only $49!
(Price increases to $79 after Aug 7, 2012)
Click on this banner to order you seat in the on-line class. Search under the phrase, Awakening the Luminous Mind.
What if you miss a class? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
If you can’t make the live air dates, you can still join Rinpoche!
For your convenience, all participants automatically receive downloadable mp3s of all three lessons. Each lesson will be uploaded into your account within a few days of its live air date and will then be available for you to download anytime within seven days. Hay House will send you a notification email when each lesson is available to download from your account. So you can still take the course no matter what your schedule!
How to Select the Best Meditation Cushion
When teaching meditation instruction I am often asked what is the best meditation cushion for me?
The answer on how to selection the best support for your spiritual practice depends largely on the way you tend to sit on a chair. If you often place your body on the middle, the flat portion of the chair, select a full sized, round meditation cushion. If the zafu is full, you’ll want to force some of the stuffing down to make a small depression where the center of the spine rests on the top surface.
However, if you like to sit forward on the chair like a bird perched ready to take flight, then choose a half moon cushion, which is crescent shaped. The notched area allows you to rest your butt forward while tucking the legs in closer to your body. The legs closer creates more stability.
Finally, if your body is large, curvy and full sized, then go with an meditation cushion extra large size for added roominess. This selection is wider, taller and deeper giving you lots of space to stretch out.
The next question related to this discussion is the zabuton meditation mat.
Do you need one? Most definitely yes, unless suffering with sore knees and ankles is part of your spiritual practice, it is wise to have a zabuton mat to accompany your meditation cushion. Suffering might be encouraged in the US Marines, but a painful body does not burn off any bad karma in meditation. The purpose of the zabuton is to provide a surface beneath the zafu meditation cushion much like a placement under a dinner plate. The zabuton mat also offers a place to rest your prayer beads, place a book or other important spiritual objects.
Please click on any link in this article to review plenty pictures, make color selections and find the best choice for yourself, or as a gift. Or, follow this link.
Feel free to e-mail questions to the friendly staff regarding the best selections from the linked website at FourGates.com.
Meditation Chairs for Retreat Centers
If you are hosting a meditation retreat or have a retreat center which needs floor seating for classes this information will be beneficial for your consideration.
Our company FourGatescom has 17+ history assisting customers clients world wide at finding the right floor seating solutions. One of the most suitable selections is the Back Jack floor chair. They are an excellent solution for meditation centers, resort meditation classes and for yoga studios. The numerous benefits of this floor seating are the portability, affordability, they’re light weight while providing exceptional back support during classes. The Back Jack is simply the perfect chair for all meditation centers and retreat gatherings.
FourGates.com quick back jack floor seating chair:
~ light weight at about 4 pounds
~ easy to assemble in about 5 minutes
~ low cost and affordable for yoga studios
~ comfortable for floor seating
~ stack-able for ease of storage
~ they come in a wide selection of colors to match or compliment a wide variety of decor, i.e., black, navy, purple, forest green, burgundy, royal blue, red, sand(a sort of pale tan)
~ covers can be replaced when worn or after years of use
~ several styles to select from
~ low cost to ship in quantity to any location world-wide
To review the sizes, features and make color selections while shopping for your back jacks, click here now.
The primary back jack floor seating chairs to choose from are:
1. The Original back jack which is the least expensive and stack-able.
2. The Extra Large back jack, also stack-able selection, suitable for taller users or those with a large body frame.
3. The folding floor chair version which is spring-loaded with a strap to keep it closed when not in use. This selection is best for those who travel a great deal.
They are also other suitable application for this low cost seating:
~ Floor seating for Birthing classes,
~ Individual retreat seating,
~ Portable Meditation chair for seminars,
~ Yoga classes,
~ School classroom story time seating,
~ school reading groups,
~ church groups where circle groups are utilized,
~ association meeting when small group work is being used,
~ lounging around for kids in a play room
The Back Jack is suitable for wherever low cost meditation center seating solutions are required. They’re an all purpose solution well worth considering.
To review product image pictures, make color selections and shop for your back jacks, click here now.
Zen Meditation Cushions for Christmas or Holiday gifts
Zen Meditation Cushions are an exceptional gift for Christmas, holiday or any gift. They offer the encouragement to just relax, remove stress and enjoy life more. Meditation trains the mind, emotions and body to become increasingly stress free by non-reaction to events that might ordinarily trigger stress.
It takes a little time, some patience and regular effort to increase positive energy, even if only 10-15 minutes a day. Look at the benefits of relaxing meditation and using a properly designed Zen pillow:
1. More joy,
2. Less stress,
3. Better digestion,
4. reduced conflict,
5. a calmer mind,
6. Lower blood pressure,
7. Better sleep, and
dozens of other hidden benefits you or a loved one with experience.
Be patient with yourself, and give the gift that keeps on giving over a lifetime. Take care of yourself, keep in touch with God, Higher Power, or whatever you choose to call the most loving Presence in life. Meditation is a natural process of quieting the mind, calming the emotions and just being, or listening inwardly.
The basic technology is a Zen meditation cushion. These are high quality, specially constructed Zafu Meditation Cushions, essential for meditating comfortably, encouraging proper posture and poise. The Four Gates product is perfect for sitting or kneeling, and also works well as seating for low tables when floor-sitting is desired.
Many case studies have indicated that various forms of meditation increase creativity, reduce stress, lower blood pressure and relax the entire body. What better Christmas gift for the holidays than the present which keeps on giving?
We’ve happily supplied 25,000+ customer demands for Zen Meditation cushions, Zafu & Zabuton combo’s, buckwheat zafu, meditation pillows, cotton yoga mats for 17 years. We’re confident you’ll enjoy just as our repeat customers have as well. Four Gates hand crafts zafu meditation cushions, zabuton mats and support cushions with your needs in mind.
Free meditation course valued at $29.99, plus incense sampler, blessed mantra card with the purchase of each regular or deluxe zafu or zabuton. This introductory course will be e-mailed you upon request – please be sure to ask for the course by name after purchasing your selection.
Click here to review the selections for a holiday gift or for stress reducing today.
Help yourself or a loved one find joyful stress management through meditation supplies from FourGates.com.
Spiritual Robes for Meditation
You probably have special clothing for yoga practice, working out at the gym, dressing for work, but what about spiritual practice time? Spiritual robes for meditation help you slip into the quiet, serene and peaceful zone. I firm believe that meditation garments are an essential part of spiritual living. If you want to enrich your life during daily inspirational times, or are a professional caring for others in a ministerial capacity, then I believe you find spiritual robe helpful.
FourGates.com has anticipated the need for angel healers, meditation enthusiasts, spiritual practitioners and inter-faith Ministers who need ceremonial robes. If your an inter-faith minister you often perform perform weddings, christenings, healing blessings, rites of passage or funeral services. Having your robe at the ready is important. In order to meet this need FourGates.com created a selection of unisex robes which will support your ministerial work or personal spiritual practice as a lay person.
There are two selections in robes, the first of which is the Angelic Robe, while the second selection is called the and/or Serenity Ceremonial Robes. We offer a huge selection for both Universal Life Church men and women ministers. And, these robes are excellent for inter-faith ministry garments as well.
Additionally, the highly popular unisex Zen clothing collection is designed with pants and top. The Zen Shirt and Zen pants are crafted in a variety of colors with for the matching look. Most people enjoy the classic black or white cotton selections for retreat clothing, however FourGates.com also offers navy and gray. The Zen clothing selection are perfect for daily use or retreats, zesshins and spiritual practice times.
If your ordination is coming up soon, or you have a wedding, a funeral or other ceremonies to perform on short notice contact FourGates.com right away. Or, better yet, order a non-denominational robe now for future use so that you’ll have it at the ready.
It is often hard to find a good fit with body types from x-small to XXXL, but at FourGates.com they have you covered since their staff seamstress can make any size to order. Their patterns in the Angelic Robe and Serenity Ceremonial Robes will accommodate your body size easily. These Divinely inspired spiritual robes are loose fitting enough to go over other garments or worn as a meditation robe with light undergarments beneath.
FourGates.com spiritual clothing department offers a huge selection of colors and fabrics to choose from whether you like natural, comfortable cotton or the raw silk selections.
Every Angelic Robe and/or Serenity Ceremonial Robes is made with tender loving care to last for years of ceremonial use.
If you meditate on a regular basis, are a member of an inter-faith network of ministers, perform ceremonial for rites of passage, then our Angelic spiritual robes are an exceptionally good choice. And, of course with so many Universal Life Church ministers in the world, those of you affiliated with this spiritual organization may benefit from having one our spiritual robes as well. Regardless of your affiliation, having your spiritual robe or meditation clothing on hand is essential to your spiritual practice and/or service work.
To view a huge selection of spiritual robes, retreat clothing, non-denominational robes for weddings, funerals and all of your important ministerial garment needs, click here now. FourGates.com’s capable staff will begin working to create your inter-faith robes once the order is placed.
With wishes for success in your spiritual practice,
Meditation Clothing for retreats or daily use.
If you’re seeking Meditation Clothing for Tibetan Buddhist, Indian Hindu Practitioners FourGates.com offers a wide selection of garments for your enjoyment. Meditation clothing is important because it is one more way to get you into the zone mentally, emotionally and physically before practicing during your sacred times.
I always feel joyful when I wrap up in my meditation shawl. Maybe it’s because I’ve been wearing it for 16 years. All of the wonderful moments spent connecting to Source, God, the Divine, the angels, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are energetically embedded in each fiber of the shawl. Sacred clothing is like a talisman which absorbs the blessings from all of your prayers, meditations, chantings, mantra and visualizations. Meditation garments are akin to your inner spiritual bodies because they shine with the colors that are radiant like the light from within.
At FourGates.com our Meditation clothing is for both lay practitioners as well as ordained monks and nuns. It does not require ordination for you to purchase or wear it. Most meditation centers have this clothing for retreatants who are non-ordained.
The Tibetan Buddhist, lower half-garment or “skirt” is called shamtab which is worn by men and women for meditation retreats, practice periods or during drubchens. Usually, chuba means ‘coat’ and refers to a heavy, outer garment similar to our use of a heavy winter coat(with, or without the sleeves). Sometimes “half chuba” means the meditation skirt as well.
While the monks and nuns meditation shawl is called a “zen” but usually spelled ‘zhen”, so as not to be confused with the Japanese Buddhist Zen word. The zhen shawl is comfortable, versatile and easy to care for. They are popular because everyone needs one no matter what time of year you are meditating or on a retreat.
Regardless what spiritual tradition you practice, i.e., Zen Buddhist, Tibetan Buddhist, Non-denominational inter-faith, Universal Life Church Monasteries, Christian or just a mystic kaleidoscope we offer many meditation garment selections suitable for your needs.
Click on any link to see pictures of the garments.
With love and compassion,
Christopher Lee May
Back Jack Meditation Chair, Perfect for Protecting Your Back
Many people complain about back strain when sitting for long periods in meditation or yoga classes. Well, I am happy to report that there is a low cost and easy to use solution. It is called the Back Jacks chair. The Back Jacks are definitely the perfect seating solution for the aging or sore back problem. Since it is light weight you can tote it in the car with great ease as well. This light weight portable chair is the perfect solution for sitting on the floor in group training sessions, such as a meditation classes, yoga classes and the like. Be sure to get one for your partner too because they’ll thank for thinking of them.
As noted above the Back Jack is suitable for meditation seating, yoga classes, retreat centers, schools, church groups, associations or wherever low cost seating solutions are required. They last a long time when cared for properly. And, you can tote them to and from classes because Back Jacks are are the proverbial all purpose “go anywhere” chair.
Back Jack chairs are also suitable for:
Floor seating for Birthing classes,
Lamaze training chair seats,
Group Retreat seating,
Portable Meditation chair,
Yoga class chair,
Portable home chair for family and kids,
TV watching seating solution,
School classroom story time seating,
As a camping chair, and
Lounging around for kids.
Back Jacks are constructed out of a strong, tubular inner steal frame with a heavy cotton duck outer cover this will last for years if cared for properly. The seat is heavily padded for comfort. Some birthing class participants use a pillow at the back rest for additional comfort while in your pre-natal classes.
The Back Jack is stackable when not in use, while the folding version the floor chair is spring loaded with a strap to keep it closed allowing you to fold it down easily when not in use.
When you receive the Back Jack chair note that some assembly is required. It takes about 8-10 minutes to put together since there are only 4 pieces plus the cover.
They come in the convenient selections:
1. Original Back Jack or the stackable version. This floor seating chair does not fold, and thus works best for leaving at home or the center where it is being used. You can toss it in the car if you’d like, many people tell me that works well.
2. The Extra Large Back Jack chair is the best size for your birthing class because it offers a roomier back rest and seat than the original size. This is also a non-folding chair.
The XL Back Jack rest measures: 16″ wide x 23″ tall. If you have a larger frame body, then try the preferred the X-Large back jack model mentioned here is what you’ll need.
3. The Folding Back Jack are best for those who wish to travel with their chairs a great deal. They are the same dimensions as the original floor seating chair.
If you looking for spinal support to reduce lower back pain when sitting, this sitting solution is perfect for you. The Back Jack looks and acts like a beach chair but with greater padding, strength and durability in the steel frame design. Important tip: do not sit on them with wet clothing or get them wet.
Click on any link that reads Back Jack to see pictures and select the best color and shipping method for yourself, your birthing class group or other floor seating solution.
Celebrating The Festival of Enlightenment, Wesak 2011
TSG Foundation and Publishing is offering a wonderful opportunity to attend their Celebration The Festival of Enlightenment,aka, Wesak Festival 2011. Their program takes place during the Annual Wesak Conference from May 13-17, 2011.
The purpose of this spiritual conference to create practical ways and means to experience a deeper level of fulfillment in daily life. Spirituality is not about spacing out, wearing beads and reading uplifting books – all of which can have benefit. Spirituality has a core purpose of building bridges to higher love and happiness for your benefit and that of the world around you. It is designed to enable you to reach a Source inside of us where you can have conscious love and connect to the fountain of joy.
“You are not a lonely tree on the mountain. You are a forest; you are a river; you are an ocean. You are prosperous.” (Wisdom of the Zodiac, Aquarius, p. 7.)
We’re asking you, and all our friends, colleagues, students, and supporters to take a few days to step back from the hustle and bustle of daily for several days in order to enjoy this strategically retreat. Working in a field of mental, emotional and physical energy with like minded people, and with the aid of group work on happiness, joy, and bliss, will prepare to enter into a higher degree of Hierarchical service, or Service the the Plan and Purpose of God’s intention for your life.
What does that mean to you? Rev. Torkom Saraydarian, captures your hopes, life intentions and needs clearly when he writes:
“What are you giving to God? That is what the Hierarchy demands, that you penetrate into it and say, “Lord, I think I am ready.” They will ask, “How are you ready?” “My body is healthy. My emotions are pure, inclusive and all-embracing. My mind is sharp and clear. I can think in the light of Your Beauty, Goodness, Truth. My personality is educated and disciplined……..now I think I am ready. Can I serve You?” They will say “Good, good, good. You come here,” and They send you to the most obnoxious places in the world to try out your vision, energy, and purpose. You succeed and then They elevate you, slowly, slowly making you work in the places where they need your prayers, your blessings, your light, your love and your willpower. Now you have entered into the first degree of Hierarchical service. (The Eyes of Hierarchy, p. 146.)
Join the welcoming TSG Foundation group in Cave Creek, Arizona for a powerful series of lectures and workshops created to help you find the healing power of joy, the clarity of your life purpose and how to live a life of greater service. At the conference you’ll be enriched by readings, meditations, lectures, prayers and networking with some of the most loving people you’ll ever want to meet.
Our friends and staff at TSG Foundation look forward to seeing you in May for an experience that will you enriched with greater insight, loving-kindness, joy and healing all year long.
For more information, to register and attend the Conference, click here now.
Gita Saraydian, the founder of TSG will be hosting the event. She is a gifted teacher with enormous experience as a spiritual teacher, speaker and professional to draw from. 
Contact TSG Foundation by e-mail through this link, or by telephone at: 480.502.1909
Email: info@tsgfoundation.org
Place: Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center (Carefree, Arizona U.S.A.)
Cost: US $375.00 per person
Includes: Friday night banquet and program, breakfasts, and lunches
Program Information
Please note that travel & Accommodations not included in the conference pricing. The staff at TSG can help your find local accommodations at some fine hotels.
Follow these links to shop for meditation clothing for your sacred times of prayer and reflection, meditation supplies and altar or shrine furnishings for a sacred space for spiritual practice.
Free Beginner’s Guide to the Joys of Meditation Course
Four Gates is the company I founded 14 years ago when I heard Tom Brokaw report on the NBC evening news that prozac had become the fifth most commonly prescribed drug in America. This was an alarm bell for me. It meant that many of my fellow Americans were having trouble coping with loss, grief, stress, divorce, financial uncertainty and more. Taking drugs only masks the suffering rather than address the causes of daily suffering. Meditation builds skills for coping and conquering stress, loss, grief and suffering. Meditation creates peace of mind.
So, I recided about a year ago to begin offering a Free Beginner’s Guide to the Joys of Meditation Course with the purchase of meditation supplies. It just made sense to find another way to aid people in living more empowered, spiritually and inspired centered lives.
There are seven distinct mental and emotional benefits of practicing meditation. Meditation is a life saver for many people who desire more mental focus, better concentration, increased serenity and lowered stress.
Four Gates provides you with a Free Beginner’s Guide to the Joys of Meditation Course when you purchase a meditation cushion, zafu and zabuton set or meditation related product.
This free short course is intended as a primer for beginning to intermediate levels of meditation. However, there are a few parts of this course which are also more advanced at the end of the course.
The reason we share this Free Beginner’s Guide to the Joys of Meditation Course is to provide you with the maximum benefit for increased success in daily life and meditation.
For a more in-depth, comprehensive course, we offer the Stress Relief Through Meditation: How to Relax, Increase Calmness and Positive Energy. The 6 hour training course is offered in a downloadable MP3 format which can be listened to on iPod, personal MP3 device, at your computer, in the car or burned to Cd’s.
Go here to learn more about this wonderful guided meditation course.
Experience will teach you that greater benefits of meditation will be enjoyed with reliable guidance vs. trying it on your own.
The experience of being more deeply connected to your inner well-spring of happiness will enrich your life tremendously. Authentic instruction from an advanced meditation instructor is essential because meditation is rarely easy to practice without a good measure of authentic guidance.
What are the benefits of meditation?
Seven Mental and Emotional Benefits of Meditation:
Meditation awakens and increases the following seven (7) qualities:
1. invokes calmness,
2. develops compassion,
3. increases creative thinking,
4. awakens wisdom,
5. opens you to more joyfulness,
6. increases concentration,
7. deepens the experience of serenity
Please review the benefits of the Stress Relief Through Meditation: How to Relax, Increase Calmness and Positive Energy, you’ll love it, and find it thoroughly engaging. We are offering this 6 hour training course at a huge savings right now at 40% off.
This Meditation Course offers you interactive support by the author, Christopher Lee May, giving you opportunities to have your questions answered monthly via e-mail. Visit any of the links shown above to learn more.
Posts
