Playing in the Mandala of Space

This year’s Mudra Mandala at Dechen Chöling brings together the two Space Awareness practices created by Chögyam Trungpa, rooted in the Tibetan Buddhist paths of Mahamudra and Dzogchen. Both use the physical body and voice as a laboratory for exploring presence and authenticity, and for loosening some of the mental constrictions encouraged by our habitual dualistic view.

In the beauty of the French countryside upon this ground of physical dharma, Mudra and Maitri Space Awareness will meet experiments in spatial arrangement, movement, music and theater. Through these practices we will have many opportunities for creative encounters with space—individually and together—and to discover what becomes possible when we move beyond our ordinary habits of perception and expression.

Mudra Space Awareness was originally designed by Chögyam Trungpa as a method for training performers, especially actors. Of this work he said that before taking on a character or playing a role, it is valuable, perhaps necessary, to understand what it is to be a human being. We need to re-member ourselves.

Maitri Space Awareness was introduced by Trungpa to both performers and therapists. It is a physical approach, created for Western students, to explore the Vajrayana understanding of the five Buddha Families—the elemental energies that make up both inner and outer space, in their constricted and wisdom aspects.

Contemplative Performance grew from bringing these two methods together through the work of Lee Worley, originally an actress and director with New York’s Open Theater. Invited by Chögyam Trungpa to develop the original Theater Studies Bachelor of Arts program at Naropa University, she created and introduced a number of physical and vocal forms as opportunities for students to connect the formality of meditative practice with the spontaneity of improvisatory performance.

Together, these practices open perception and ground awareness in the immediacy of the present moment. As habitual patterns loosen, the Maitri energies become increasingly available in their wisdom aspects. Through movement, voice, music, spatial arrangement, and especially in collaboration with others, we enter into an encounter in which something begins to happen that could not have been preconceived. Space takes the lead. What emerges can be surprising, spontaneous and, at times, magical.

At Dechen Chöling, participants will have the opportunity to meditate under the guidance of longtime practitioners and to collaborate with others who practice meditation and seek to bring its benefits directly into contemplative and creative life. It is a 24/7 experience. It is also a rare opportunity to work with the Maitri rooms that Chögyam Trungpa and his students designed to support the experience of each of the Buddha Families. The work will embrace both our individual inner spaces and, weather permitting, the beautiful outer landscape.

This retreat welcomes all who feel called to explore these practices. Each of us is the artistic creator of our lives. Some prior experience with meditation or body–mind disciplines is helpful. The work can be physically and mentally demanding, but adaptations will be made to meet individual needs.

Participation will be limited to ensure depth and intimacy of practice.

Practical details

Arrival day: Wednesday May 5. You’re invited to come from 16:00h in order to register and settle in your room. Dinner is served at 18:30h. Orientation talk at 20:00 h. 

End of program: Saturday May 15. Closing and banquet in the evening.

Departure day: Sunday May 16. You may leave anytime (no program). You are welcome to stay for lunch.

This programme will be taught in English. 

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