THE CLEAR LIGHT INSTITUTE
Clear Light is the pure, innate, and joyful condition of the mind, associated with buddha-nature, the realization of which is the goal of meditation and practice. It is said to be most easily realized during the death process.
Sukhasiddhi’s Clear Light Institute was founded with the purpose of assisting people in preparing for death in order to have the transition be as smooth, loving, and peaceful as possible, and most importantly, to teach people the skills to be able to use the death and dying process and beyond to awaken fully to who they truly are. The study and practice of the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha, and the many masters that followed after him, have a great deal of wisdom and compassion to offer us in this regard. The process of dying and its aftermath in the “in- between stages” or bardos between death and a new incarnation, offers us a potent potential for awakening. We offer teachings, guidance and support in our classes, retreats and workshops in order for people to be able to meet their death, or a loved one’s death, with confidence, peace and love.
It is often said that the simple essence of our spiritual journey begins and ends with the present moment. In demystifying the teachings on death, we discover that they include the entire spectrum of our experiences in both life and death. The profound Vajrayana Buddhist teachings and transmissions offer an indispensable guide for living as well as for preparing for death. Through practicing these teachings, we can ensure that each moment of our lives can be turned to the spiritual path. Through spiritual practice and study we come to abide in peace and love and our lives become more and more meaningful. The entire Buddhist path prepares us for death.
From the Blog: The Return of Sukhasiddhi’s Clear Light Institute
Classes and Workshops
Our readiness for death is first and foremost served by a continued dedication to practice. Sukhasiddhi Foundation offers a variety of classes for the general public, beginning meditators as well as for those who wish to explore the teachings, deepen their understanding and integrate them into their lives. Clear Light Institute offers classes specifically for using these practices in preparation for death. Please see our website for current class offerings.
The death transition will also be greatly facilitated if it is harmonized with the mandala (circle) of people and institutions that will accompany and serve us at that time: family members, friends, lawyers, hospital administrators, doctors, nurses, funeral homes, sangha members, teachers, and lamas. Clear Light Institute offers workshops to assist people in preparing for the practical, legal, medical and spiritual issues in planning for death. These workshops will assist you in creating your mandala of support that includes working with mortuaries, hospitals, medical personnel, family and friends.
Prayers and Pujas
Sukhasiddhi members may request group meditation and prayer ceremonies prior to someone’s passing and after death. Others are welcome to request being added to the prayer list at the pujas held at Sukhasiddhi. Additionally, information is available to have pujas offered at our affiliated lineage temples in Asia. For more information, please contact the Barbara Juniper, Director of Clear Light Institute at barbara@sukhasiddhi.org.
Upcoming Event:
Fees:
Workshop fee: $100
Sukhasiddhi member $90
Benefactor: $125
Compassion In Action: Preparing Your Spiritual Care Directive
Saturday, October 11 | 10 AM – 5 PM Pacific
at Wisdom River Meditation Center
Two things are certain:
1)we will all die and
2) we do not know the time of our death.
In the Buddhist tradition, keeping these two truths close to our heart helps us to live each moment with a sense of preciousness, reverence and gratitude. As practitioners, we meditate daily on impermanence and the blessing of this human life. And one of the ways that we can turn this contemplation into an act of compassion, not only for ourselves but also for our loved ones is to create an Advance Spiritual Care Directive.
Just as we create an Advance Medical Care Directive to guide our family and health care providers with our medical wishes, we can also write an Advance Spiritual Care Directive to help guide them with our spiritual wishes. This becomes especially important for us as practitioners of the dharma. By clarifying and making known what will support us to continue our practice through the time of our dying, we are offering a gift to ourselves and to those surrounding us at this time.
Please come and join us for this daylong workshop where we will gather together and clarify our end of life dharma wishes.
Barbara Juniper, Director of the Clear Light Institute
Barbara Juniper has been an active member of Sukhasiddhi Foundation since 2006. Under the guidance of Lama Palden Drolma, she completed the six-year combined Bodhi and Shangpa programs as well as the four-year Community Dharma Leader training. She has led the Monday evening community meditation, Opening the Gate, since 2015. Barbara has worked as a healer and counselor for over 25 years and has also completed many trainings on end of life and the spiritual care of the dying.
She is passionate about supporting both men and women in connecting with their authentic expression and integrating all that they learn on the cushion into their daily lives. She currently has a private Sound Healing and Spiritual Mentoring practice in Marin. You can visit her website at www.barbarajuniper.com.