Machig Labdrön

We will then hear a brief talk from our teacher, Lama Aria Dolma, and then we will have a short sit, 15 to 20 minutes, for the meditation guided by her.

The artwork for today's session is this beautiful thangka of Machik Labdron, 1055 to 1153, origin Kham Eastern Tibet, dated 19th century.

And this is a mineral pigments on cloth, 25 and a half into 16 7/8 inches, a scroll painting of mineral pigments on cloth.

The theme for the month of October is impermanence.

This painting portrays Machik Labdron, who lived from 1055 until 1153.

Machik Labdron initiated the Chöd severance practice.

Cutting through the ego-clinging attachment enables us to come to terms with impermanence.

In this painting, Machik Labdron is deified as a Dakini.

Other ones come and go.

But this quote from Machig Labdron and a quote from Jigme Lingpa, who's an 18th century Tibetan master and great Dzogchen lineage holder.

I have them on my bulletin board and Camille's probably going to read Anyway, I have a quote from Camille on my bulletin board as well, who also expresses the Dharma in a beautiful way.

And so all three of these quotes have been swirling around in my mind.

So it's the same with this practice.

We believe Machig Labdrön is very powerful.

But what makes the connection is our own devotion.

We have to believe that this light is coming.

And you can read these stories of Naropa and Tilopa and Marpa and Milarepa.

You can read the s- story of Padmasambhava.

You can read the story of Machig Labdrön.

And you see again and again, the people who get success are the people who really believe.