What is Tog Chöd?
Tog Chöd is a dance with a sword. It is a method of inner transformation. With Tog Chöd, we transform anger, and other negative emotions, into a clear state of mind. A clear mind is a mind that is fully in the present moment, without thought. Tog Chöd is a way to meditate without meditating.
In Tibetan, tog means “thought” and chöd means “to cut.” When we silence our mind, we discover our true nature. In the space between thoughts, we discover freedom and wisdom. This is the goal of Tog Chöd, which is also called the Wisdom Sword Practice.
Connecting to this inner space gives us self-confidence. We find we have the courage to make decisions, and we make these decisions from a place of awareness and clarity.
This is how we change ourselves and change our life—through expanding our awareness.
Tog Chöd is deeply rooted in principles of Tibetan Buddhism, specifically Tantrayana. Tulku Lobsang Rinpoche developed Tog Chöd based on the traditional monk dances and movements of the Kalachakra. He created Tog Chöd in direct response to the needs of those of us in the modern world to have a way to clear our heads and be present. This is a mindfulness practice rooted in powerful movement.
The sword symbolizes our innate wisdom. Wielding the sword, we cut through distracting, disempowering thoughts. We stomp on our enemies—our negative emotions—and overcome our laziness and indecisiveness. We dissolve the fears and expectations that prevent us from being in this beautiful present moment. As we step into the present moment, we discover our aliveness, our self-power, our true nature.
Tog Chöd Online Course
Coming in 2019....
Learn Tog Chöd from your own home!
Due to increasing interest in the Tibetan Wisdom Sword Practice and the shortage of teachers, I am going to be making these teachings available as an online distance learning experience.
Tog Chöd is best as an in person, oral transmission–no doubt. But to maintain it as a warm teaching, an alive teaching, the most important thing is that it is practiced. Hopefully, when the time is right, you will choose to attend a live retreat or workshop, or even become a teacher yourself!
In the meantime, the Tog Chöd Online Course will teach you the fundamentals.
Sign up here to be notified when the course is available:
Tog Chöd Workshops
Description:
Experience an empowering moving meditation to transform habitual thought patterns.
This choreographed dance with a sword is rooted in Tibetan Tantric Buddhism and is based on movements of the Kalachakra and Yama monk dances.
It has deep symbolic meaning and is a practical method for developing mindfulness, self-confidence and clarity.
Participants will:
Learn decisive movements with a wooden sword that drop us into the present moment
Understand the importance of mind training and how we can use the body to do it
Receive the rich philosophy of this practice, including "creating a good dream", "the power of decision" and "life is one day"
Experience the power of mantra for setting intention and calming the nervous system
Have fun!!
With this practice, we face the only enemy there is—our own negative emotions.
Taught by Farrah Garan, in the tradition of Tulku Lobsang.
I'd love to welcome you there and share this unique practice with you!