My background
I live in Copenhagen, Denmark. I’m a psychologist and a cognitive psychotherapist working with integrating mindfulness into psychotherapy. Since 2004 I conduct courses and workshops in secular mindfulness practice. Since 1985 I teach vipassana in the Theravada tradition. I belong to the first generation of Westerners who have more than forty years of personal experience of Buddhist meditation.
This experience was founded with 8 years of intensive vipassana practice in monasteries and hermitages in the East. 1968-75 I spent in India studying and practicing full time with vipassana acharyia Anagarika Munindra in Bodh Gaya. Munindra-ji was an outstanding disciple of Mahasi Sayadaw of Burma. I was trained by Munindra-ji to teach vipassana and samatha meditation. This is the line I’m teaching in.
The vipassana retreats I conduct are sometimes arranged by The Northern Light Vipassana Society or by myself in Denmark or Sweden. If you feel like arranging a retreat on a non-profit basis in or outside of Scandinavia, and might want my assistance you can contact me. I don’t teach for a regular teaching fee but accept dana-donations in the Theravada retreat tradition.
Anagarika Munindra was my good friend…
The good friend is a spiritual keyword in Theravada Buddhism. The importance of a good friend, (kalayana mitta in the Pali language) is underpinned in many of the discourses of the Buddha. The kalayana mitta is likened to a loving parent who introduces the child to the world. In the same way the kalayana mitta introduces you to the spiritual world.
Like a good parent points to a flower while patiently saying ‘this is a flower’ at the right time for the child, thus the kalayana mitta compassionately points to the Noble Eightfold Path for you to learn and practice. This is the essence of vipassana, insight meditation, leading to understanding and liberation of the mind.
Anagarika Munindra (1915-2003) was my kalayana mitta. I remember him as a teacher of an immeasureable generosity. By way of his scholarly knowledge and spiritual wisdom. By way of his presence steeped in mindfulness and lovingkindness.
Like he admonished others to be ‘simple and easy’ thus he himself practiced it to perfection. Although he was a very learned person , educated in the Burmese canonical tradition, his way of teaching was just ‘simple and easy. Munindra-ji taught the core of the Buddha’s Teaching about insight and awakening in the present moment beyond all theories.
Joseph Goldstein of Insight Meditation Society, Mass. U.S.A. and I have spent years together with Munindra-ji at Bodh Gaya, and we have taught together at retreats in Sweden and Denmark.
See the whole series of videos from this retreat on YouTube.
My e-mail address: uffedamborg@msn.com