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Dates: May 30th – June 2nd

Arrival:May 30th  3:00 PM Seminar Start: May 30th, 4:00 PM Seminar End: June 2nd, 12:00 PM

Unlock the Mysteries of the Mind and Emptiness

Amidst the bustling chaos of modern life, there lies a profound quest for understanding the nature of the mind and the concept of self. If you’re drawn to the mysteries of emptiness, eager to explore the depths of your own consciousness, and seeking an experiential understanding of the innermost workings of your mind, then “Finding the Mind” is your transformative journey.

Seminar Highlights:

Throughout this immersive retreat, we will delve into the very essence of our existence through a blend of guided and unguided meditation, contemplation, open discussions, and profound philosophical insights. Led by the experienced practitioner Erric Solomon, this seminar offers a unique opportunity for seekers of all levels to explore the intricate realms of the mind and emptiness.

Key Questions Addressed:

• Is there a true self behind our experiences?
• Can we transcend the concept of “me” and embrace emptiness?
• How do classical Buddhist thought experiments on emptiness translate into our experiential understanding?

Erric Solomon shares his personal journey through these questions, leading to an encounter with the exceptional master, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. Discover the teachings and techniques that can guide you towards an experiential grasp of the innermost nature of your mind. Here is his introduction to this seminar:

Even after gaining some stability in Buddhist practice, it is perfectly normal to have some emotional attachment or belief that there is still a me in there somewhere. There seems to be someone or something having all these experiences. So, is the experiencer me or not?

When I first got to this point in my own journey, I felt really dissatisfied. Although I had some ability to quietly rest my mind, that seemed to be just another experience. I didn’t feel like I was transcending mind, or discovering a lack of an independent self. In addition, the classic Buddhist thought experiments on emptiness, while intellectually satisfying, didn’t seem to lead to any radical shift in my experiential understanding.

A friend had been telling me about an extraordinary teacher in Nepal, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, who was perhaps the greatest master alive for leading disciples to an experiential understanding of the innermost nature of mind. So, it was out of desperation that I went to Nepal.

I spent about ten days at Rinpoche’s mountain hermitage, just above Kathmandu Valley. Every evening I went to receive guidance. Rinpoche had me look in a very particular way, to see if I could pin down what my mind really is. He said to me, “just put aside all the teachings I’d received and all the answers I thought I knew. Just see you can experientially find where the mind is”.  This examination of mind is found in all the Mahayana schools. It also is an important preliminary for the ultimate practices of the Vajrayana tradition.

This examination of mind isn’t simply analytical; it’s about tasting for ourselves the unfindable mind, beyond philosophical understanding.  Join me during the Finding the Mind seminar. Let’s investigate the sense of there being an experiencer and see what we can discover.

Your teacher: Erric Solomon

Bringing together decades of Buddhist practice, a high-powered Silicon Valley career, and an abundant sense of humour, Erric speaks with an authenticity grounded in experience. Drawing on his life in the fast-paced, always on wired world, and his study under the guidance of some of the greatest masters of our time (including Kyabjé Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche and Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche), Erric creates a bridge between modern insight and ancient wisdom. You can also find him at www.erricsolomon.org

Erric Solomon is the co-author (with Phakchok Rinpoche) of Radically Happy: A User’s Guide to the Mind.

“Erric has studied and practiced Buddhism for more than two decades, including working with nearly all the greatest masters of our time including Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, and Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche. Afterwards, he completed a traditional three-year retreat. As a result, his understanding doesn’t come merely from intellectual knowledge, but through an authentic experience that comes from years of sincere practice.”

— Tsoknyi Rinpoche

Who can attend:

Open to all those intrigued by the mysteries of emptiness and self(lessness) .
Prepare for an immersive experience that could redefine your understanding of the mind.

Suggested donation 390 Euro for full board, accommodation and seminar

This suggested donation covers fixed costs at Gomde. If you would like to give more, you can help others to participate who have less. If you can not give this amount, please let us know beforehand: nanda@gomde.eu