monday,november 3,2003
news
the university daily kansan 3A
Abby Tillery/Kansan
Mingyur Rinpoche led a meditation class Saturday afternoon in the Ecumenical Christian Ministries building. He is considered a high lama.
Meditation sensation
Tibetan lama lecture focused on death, religion
By Meghan Brune
mbrune@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
In a room filled with cushions, 60 people sat cross-legged on the floor and on chairs listening to a man in maroon robes. At the sound of a bell, the group opened its eyes.
"See, it's easy." Mingyur Rinpoche said.
Rinpoche, a Tibetan high lama from Nepal, came to Lawrence Friday to teach meditation classes to non-Buddhists.
Tonight, a dinner at Zen Zero,
811 Massachusetts St., will be the
finale of the Tibetan lunar's visit.
In Buddhism, death is considered part of life. Rinpoche said. "If people recognize this it will be easier to be liberated," he said.
At a beginners class on Saturday, Rinpoche taught students that happiness can be found externally and internally.
"Peace and happiness have to be obtained within one's own
"Their mind is not calm," Rinpoche said. "They meditate to relax and to be able to work again."
Rinpoche said that more and more people were turning toward meditation for various reasons.
The most difficult part for most people, he said, was not being able to relax. Rinpoche said many people worried about using the right form.
mind," Rinpoche said.
"Some people are too tense and too close-minded," he said. "But if they see a teacher they can learn better."
Christina McCoy said she began meditating to deal with daily stresses.
"Meditation helps me re-center myself at the end of a hard day," McCoy, Overland Park sophomore said.
She said listening to Rinpoche talk taught her to let go of her worries.
"It itse so simple, but hearing it from someone makes it easier." McCov said.
At 13, Rinpoche entered into a three-year Tibetan retreat. He was the youngest student in India to enter into the training.
Rinpoche began studying the dharma at age 9. He studied with his father, a Tibetan master.
"We didn't leave the building for the entire three years," Rinpoche said. "The first four months were difficult, after that it was easy."
At age 17, Rinpoche took over
Sit on the floor on a cushion or in a chair with legs stretched out.
STEPS TO MEDITATION:
Keep body straight, but not rigid.
Rest hands in lap or on knees.
Keep eyes open or closed.
keep eyes open or closed. whichever is more natural.
body or focus on breath.
Source: Minqyur Rinpoche
as retreat master and began memorizing Buddhist texts.
Now 28, Rinpoche is finishing his second year of travel. He has traveled around the world guiding people in meditation practices.
Katy Livingston, Tulsa, Okla., sophomore, said she measured at least once a day. She said she respected Rinpoche for bringing his teaching to other countries.
"Tibetan lamas have so much wisdom," Livingston said. "And I'm glad they are spreading their knowledge."
The ultimate goal for Rinpoche is to reach enlightenment, or Buddha-hood. He said his young age had hopefully given him an advantage.
Communications director takes over book responsibility
"I will reach enlightenment one hour before everyone else," he said laughing.
By Paul Kramer
pkramer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
- Edited by Shane Mettlen
Smooth Transitions, the multicultural resource handbook pioneered at the University of Kansas, is changing hands.
A bill that passed Student Senate committee meetings Wednesday night will put the responsibility for research and
James Owen, law senator and chairman of the GPA, said the
publication on the senate communications director.
The handbook was developed by the Graduate and Professional Students Association, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Multicultural Resource Center and other campus groups to provide a cultural guide to groups, services and programs at the University.
change would be beneficial for the future of the handbook.
"It's a student-driven project," Owen said. "And for a publication that reaches as many students as this one can; it should be an obligation of Student Senate."
This year's senate communications director, Jana Szatkowski said the added responsibility will help the handbook and the communications director.
"The communications director should be knowledgeable about different groups," Szatkowski said. "And if not, it's a good learning experience for them to find out."
Although the responsibility of researching information to add to the book will fall on the Communications Director, the GPA and other multicultural groups will still be involved.
"We can broaden the horizons on some of the topics in the program," Szatkowski said. "It's great so far but you can always do better."
Szatkowski said she didn't know if enough work could be done to have the packet ready to include in orientation packets for all freshmen for next year, but that would be something she would push for.
Although Szatkowski is the
current communications director, her successor will contribute the most changes. Szatkowski said she saw Smooth Transitions as a summer project for the communication director; her term ends in May.
In the meantime, though, Szatkowski said she would push for the handbook to be available for all new students in the fall.
Edited by Shane Mettlen
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