Gelong Thubten is a fully ordained senior monk from Samye Ling Tibetan Buddhist Monastery. He took ordination over 24 years ago and spent many years as personal assistant to Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche. Thubten has trained under some of the world’s most accomplished teachers of meditation, and has spent over five years in strict retreats, including the traditional long retreat on the Isle of Arran. In his early years as a monk, he completed over 200 pairs of the Nyungne fasting practice.
Thubten teaches meditation and Buddhist philosophy at Samye Ling and the Samye Dzong centres worldwide. He also teaches mindfulness at major global companies and organisations, such as Google, Facebook, HSBC, major law firms, hospitals and prisons. Thubten trains medical students and doctors, as well as schoolchildren, and has pioneered educational projects in the U.K. and other parts of Europe.
Thubten is the Director of Samye Dzong Scarborough, and is a Director of Samye Foundation Wales, a mindfulness charity. He is also a Trustee of ROKPA INTERNATIONAL, the international humanitarian aid organisation with medical, education and cultural projects in some of the world’s poorest regions.
Thubten is also a mindfulness teacher to the stars – recently he helped on the set of Dr Strange with stars Tilda Swinton and Benedict Cumberbatch, and was invited to the Hollywood premier!
| Tue 7 | 7:30pm – 9pm | Public Talk: Meditation, Mindfulness and Inner Happiness | R100 (R80 Members)
Dana for teacher |
| A talk on mindfulness meditation and the development of greater inner peace and happiness. Thubten will explain some of the neuroscience behind mindfulness practice, as well as its effects on stress and the emotions. We will look at happiness as a choice, and how it can be the cause rather than the result of our experiences. Thubten teaches mindfulness internationally in the corporate world, as well as in hospitals, schools, universities and other organisations; he will share some of this experience during the talk. | |||
| Wed 8 | 7:30pm – 9pm | Visualisation practice: An explanation of the inner meaning and benefits, with teachings on how to visualise more effectively. | R100 (R80 Members)
Dana for teacher |
| Many Tibetan Buddhist practices involve visualising deities and reciting mantras. This talk will explain how these practices help to purify and train the mind. There will be practical tips on how to stabilise one’s ability to visualise as well as how to access the deeper blessings of the practices.
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| Thu 9 | 7:30pm – 9pm | The Medicine Buddha | R100 (R80 Members)
Dana for teacher |
| The tradition of healing in Tibetan Buddhism. A general talk about the Medicine Buddha as well as the concept of health in Buddhism. We will explore some helpful information about the Medicine Buddha as well as Vajrayana Buddhism in general.
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| Fri 10 | 4pm – 6pm | Buddhist Shrines | R100 (R80 Members)
Dana for teacher |
| How to set up a simple shrine at home, with an explanation of the symbolism and inner meaning of the different aspects of a Buddhist shrine. There will also be teaching on the benefits of making offerings on the shrine, and the accumulation of merit.
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| Sat 11 | 10:30am – 5 pm | Retreat: Mindfulness and Meditation: Energising one’s practice. | R250 (R200 Members)
Dana for teacher |
| A day of practice sessions and instructions. A good opportunity to deepen one’s practice and to re-energise one’s motivation for the path. People often struggle to maintain a daily practice, so this is a chance to learn how best to do that. There will also be time to ask questions about meditation.
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