A Rime Shedra NY Course on Meditation
May 5, 2026 to July 28, 2026, 7-9:15 PM ET, via Zoom
Based on the book: Śamatha and Vipaśyanā: An Anthology of Pith Instructions, composed and translated by B. Alan Wallace and Eva Natanya
This course will focus on meditation practice, which is the first part of the five-part Rime Shedra NYC curriculum. In this course we will delve into key classical śamatha-vipaśyanā meditation manuals composed by major representatives of all four lineages of Tibetan Buddhism.
For those who aspire to the total enlightenment of a buddha, the practices of śamatha and vipaśyana play a crucial role from the beginning of the path to its culmination. Initially, they free our minds from the five obscurations and eventually from the ignorance that is the root of suffering. When imbued with bodhicitta, these practices enable us to reach a pivotal stage within the Mahayana path of accumulation, at which we’re assured of being a bodhisattva in all our future lives until enlightenment.
We will use the recently published book by Wallace and Natanya as our primary source along with a few complementary supplemental texts provided separately. This book contains a wonderful collection of texts translated by B. Alan Wallace and Eva Natanya, and also includes a complete introduction to the Dzogchen meditational system authored by B. Alan Wallace. The instructions gathered here are like a string of pearls spanning from the eleventh century to the present day. Each of these invaluable instructions on core meditations are designed to bring about irreversible spiritual transformation.
Maitreya, know that all mundane and supramundane virtuous qualities, whether of śrāvakas, bodhisattvas, or tathāgatas, are the result of śamatha and vipaśyanā. —Saṃdhinirmocana Sūtra
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Please note that the format of our classes is that of a close reading with commentary and discussion, rather than a presentation with Q&A. If you would like to participate, please register by email to dkolleeny@gmail.com and obtain a copy of the source text. If you are new to the Rime Shedra, please include a short description of your background in Buddhist practice and study, and please attend a few classes to make sure you would like to continue with the course before you offer any donation.
It is traditional to make some offering for any dharma teachings one receives. You may offer to another teacher or organization or to the facilitator of this course, Derek Kolleeny. For the latter, here are some suggested offerings: transcribing talks; converting texts from PDF to Word to use in sourcebooks; money in the mystical number $108 or $10-15/session ($110-165) or $2500; celery (I love a good stalk); or whatever you would like to offer. Monetary payment options include sending funds to Derek via venmo (@Derek-kolleeny), or zelle (Derek Kolleeny), or google-pay (dkolleeny@gmail.com); or paypal (dkolleeny@gmail.com); or mailing a check to Derek Kolleeny, 32 Palmer Avenue, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591.