Tibetan Meditation Master & Author to Speak on "Joyful Wisdom" in Phoenix

According to Mingyur Rinpoche, the practice of meditation has profound effects on the body and mind, whether one is Buddhist or not. "The ancient spiritual traditions of Tibet, and now the findings of modern science, show that meditation can create deep states of stillness and peace," he says. "This inner peace, in turn, creates a space for the flowering of joy and wisdom in the mind, as well as health and relaxation in the body." He adds that while many methods require one to be Buddhist, there are many that can be implemented to great effect by non-Buddhists. A schedule of his Phoenix-area talks follows, along with descriptions and locations.

Thurs., April 30 - Fri., May 1 -- MAHAMUDRA LEVEL II PROGRAM: Meditation students who completed their year-long homework from Level 1 may register for Level II, which includes the last two preliminary practices of Ngondro and pointing out the nature of mind. See general description of Mahamudra in Level 1 information. Program times are 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, and 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. Breaks are scheduled for noon and 5:00 p.m. for meals on your own, and 2:00 p.m. for individual student interviews with Rinpoche.  Location: Tergar Meditation Center of Phoenix (Yongey Peace Prevails Center), 7714 W. Catalina Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85033. Fee: Course is $260 per person, but no one will be turned away due to lack of funds.

Sat., May 2 - Mon., May 4 -- MAHAMUDRA LEVEL I PROGRAM: This program is the first of a three-year series led by Mingyur Rinpoche. The step-by-step Mahamudra approach is a traditional meditation method emphasized by the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, culminating in the experience of the phenomenal world as the non-dual union of emptiness and clarity. (Non-Buddhists may attend.) Program times are 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day, with breaks at noon for lunch on your own, and 2:00 p.m. for individual student interviews with Rinpoche. Location: Apache Room, Building A, Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center Street, Mesa, AZ 85201. Fee: Course is $260 per person, but no one will be turned away due to lack of funds.

Fri., May 1, 7:00 p.m. -- "JOYFUL WISDOM" BOOK SIGNING & TALK: Mingyur Rinpoche will address topics from his recently published book "Joyful Wisdom: Embracing Change and Finding Freedom," and sign copies of the book. "Joyful Wisdom" identifies the sources of our unease, describes methods of meditation that enable us to transform our experience into deeper insight, and applies these methods to common emotional, physical, and personal problems. The result is a work at once wise, anecdotal, funny, informed, and graced with the author's irresistible charm. Everyone is welcome. Location: Changing Hands Bookstore, 6428 S. McClintock Drive, Tempe, AZ 85283. Fee: FREE

Sat., May 2, 7:00 p.m. -- LONG LIFE BUDDHA AMITAYUS EMPOWERMENT: Mingyur Rinpoche will bestow the empowerment for Amitayus, the Buddha of Limitless Life. Everyone welcome. Location: Apache Room, Building A, Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center Street, Mesa, AZ 85201. Fee: $20 donation. Free for students registered in Mahamudra Level I or II programs.

Sun., May 3, 7:00 p.m. -- CHENREZIG EMPOWERMENT: Mingyur Rinpoche will bestow the empowerment for Four-Armed Chenrezig, the Buddha of compassion. Everyone welcome. Location: Apache Room, Building A, Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center Street, Mesa, AZ 85201. Fee: $20 donation. Free for students registered in Mahamudra Level I or II programs.

Mon., May 4, 7:00pm: APPRECIATION DINNER WITH RINPOCHE. This no-host dinner invites anyone to join in celebrating Rinpoche's teachings in Arizona. Location: C-Fu Gourmet Restaurant, 2051 W. Warner Rd, Chandler, AZ, 85224. Pre-sale tickets (due by 4/27): $30/person or $300/table. Fee: $35/person to cover costs. Please contact Jessica (602) 284-0082 for dinner information

Tues., May 5 - Wed., May 6, 7:00 p.m. -- JOYFUL WISDOM TEACHING, PART I & II: This two-part public teaching, based off Rinpoche's book "Joyful Wisdom," is free and open to everyone. He will go into depth about the sources of our unease, and provide meditation methods that enable us to transform our experience of emotional, physical, and personal problems. "Thus," he says, "our anxieties can become stepping stones to freedom, that we neither reject nor surrender to, but befriend, and work through to reach an enduring authentic experience of our inherent wisdom, confidence, clarity, and joy." Program runs 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. both days. Location: Arizona State University, Life Science A Wing, Room 191, Tempe, Ariz., 85287. For detailed directions, please visit http://www.yongeypeace.org/events.html Fee: FREE.

All events are organized by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche's 501(c)3 nonprofit organization Tergar Meditation Center of Phoenix (Yongey Peace Prevails Center). For further information on these programs, links to maps, and Rinpoche's book, please visit www.yongeypeace.org, or contact Tergar Meditation Center teaching coordinators Willie Ames, (520) 834-4895 willie@yongeypeace.org ; Ji Wu (301) 437-2248, ji@yongeypeace.org ; or Maryanne Kremer-Ames, (480) 857-6095, Maryanne_yppc@cox.net.

For general information on center activities, contact Helen Chen at (510) 676-1084, or email info@yongeypeace.org.

TERGAR MEDITATION CENTER OF PHOENIX (Yongey Peace Prevails Center) is Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche's Phoenix-based non profit organization that was founded to provide all those interested in learning about meditation with the tools they need to create a more joyful spirit, while providing a place where the traditional medical traditions of Tibet and China can be practiced and studied. The center also aspires to host dialogues between scientists and meditators on the latest research on the mind.

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