`…in the between` Meditations and Illuminations on the Tibetan Book

 ‘…in the between’ Meditations and Illuminations on the Tibetan Book of the Dead "Awakened One, do not let your thoughts wander. Now the bardo of the moment before death is dawning, Abandon all grasping, yearning and attachment, Enter undistracted into clear awareness, Release your consciousness into the space of the unborn mind." '...in the between' brings together four of Australia's finest multi-­‐cultural collaborators in a highly original interpretation of The Tibetan Book of the Dead. Using selected text readings combined with musical meditations and sound illuminations this theatrical and musical experience provides an insight into how we can prepare for the mind's release from the body and the experiences of 'the between'. The Bardo Thotrol (The Great Liberation through Hearing in the Between) texts were composed by Padmasambhava in the 14th century, buried in central Tibet and later discovered by Karma-­‐Lingpa. "Although this book is ostensibly written for the dead, it is in fact about life." Francesca Fremantle (author of Luminous Emptiness and co-­‐translator with Chogyam Trungpa of The Tibetan Book of the Dead) TRIKAYA Tenzin Choegyal Tenzin has created a successful international career as a musician since his arrival in Australia in 1997. He has performed several times at New York’s Carnegie Hall and is a regular performer at festivals such as WOMAD and Australia’s Woodford Folk Festival where he continues to play to packed audiences each year. Tenzin is an avid collaborator with musicians from diverse cultures, traditions and musical genres, ranging from classical and contemporary to ancient and traditional. He has six independent album releases with a new album due for release in early 2015. In 2009 Tenzin founded the annual Festival of Tibet, a showcase for Tibetan culture through music, film, art and discussion. Tenzin’s work has increased the profile of Tibetan culture and the struggle for self-­‐determination amongst people throughout Australasia and beyond. www.tenzinchoegyal.com James Khidir James is an actor, musician and orator known for his powerful interpretations of poetry and sacred text. His repertoire ranges from William Shakespeare and Arthur Rimbaud to the Bhagavad Gita. In 1999 he created the group Khidir, performing the poetry of the Sufi mystics Rumi and Hafez, accompanied by classical instruments of the Persian court. James appears at festivals throughout Australia and is a regular guest at the Woodford Folk Festival. He recently performed with the contemporary percussion ensemble Early Warning System for performances of Frederic Rzewski’s Coming Together. Riley Lee Riley Lee is a consummate teacher, performer and collaborator with other musicians of all genres. He is the recipient of two of the oldest and most venerated lineages of traditional shakuhachi, which can be traced back to the Zen Buddhist komusô, or “priests of nothingness” of the Edo period in Japan. In 1980, he became the first non-­‐Japanese to attain the rank of dai shihan or Grand Master. Riley’s music is meditation. It has been used worldwide in yoga and tai chi classes and by massage, acupuncture and other bodywork therapists. Many of his albums are particularly valued by mothers and mothers-­‐to-­‐be and by their midwives and other working in pre and post-­‐natal care. www.rileylee.net .Michael Askill Michael Askill is a percussionist, composer, musical director and teacher. He was formerly Principal Percussionist with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Musical Director and composer for Australia’s renowned choreographer, Graeme Murphy. He was founder and Artistic Director of Australia’s longest established contemporary music ensemble, Synergy Percussion between 1974 and 2006. He has a significant discography on the Celestial Harmonies label and his music is published by ERP Music, Berlin. He is lecturer in percussion at the University of Queensland and teaches percussion and composition at the Queensland Academy of Performing Industries. Michael is currently completing a PhD in composition at the University of Queensland and performing with the Brisbane percussion collective, Early Warning System. www.michaelaskill.com '...in the between' was created while Michael Askill was a guest of the NORPA (Northern Rivers Performing Arts) Creative Lab. Comments & Reviews •
Audience member (May 25, 2007) A&I Hall, Bangalow, NSW " From the depths of my heart...thank you...it is an immense priviledge to have experienced this evening...I appreciate the insight into the journey of death and in that, you've given me insight into life" •
Gerard Brophy (Composer) “Exquisite…” •
Vincent Plush (The Australian -­‐ 16 April 2004) "... the work is a searing and startling series of meditations and illuminations on the Tibetan Book of the Dead. It also signifies the creation of a new ensemble called Trikaya, comprising Michael Askill, Riley Lee, James Coates and the extraordinary Tibetan musician Tenzin Choegyal, now based in Brisbane. " Spread languorously yet unfalteringly over an uninterrupted 100 minutes, this austere creation advances an Australian ritual theatre, combining improvised music, minimalist presentation and meditation." •
David Leser (Writer/Journalist) "Evocative and haunting -­‐ an exquisite rendering of one of the most important spiritual tracts of our time to the stage. If the Dalai Lama could speak with a Shakespearean accent and play music, this is what it would sound like." •
Lilith Rochas (Columnist) "The Tibetan Book of the Dead isn't an easy read. With the best intentions you might never get round to it. Trikaya's electrifying rendition of these extraordinary instructions for life, death and beyond is a precious and timely spiritual service -­‐ taking you apart, giving your soul a great shaking, then reassembling you with infinite compassion." •
Zsuzsi Soboslay (Arts writer and Bodyworker) "I can't thank you enough for sending me "... in the between". It is one of the most wonderful experiences! It's not only elucidating of the complex Book of the Dead -­‐ a performance-­‐instruction -­‐ but an enthralling, moving and sometimes thrilling vessel. I think Tibetan Buddhism in so many ways gets it right ...and I think the way this performance captures the ferocity and illusion of the projections is marvellous. Plus, the benevolence of space -­‐ space being a blessing; compassion being a wise tool to help one out of karma... all so clear. I'm left with an image of love folding out from the heart. I love the way that at times the sound of the bowls corresponds so well with the images of light; as if their sounds are pure light. The architecture of the piece is beautiful, visually and aurally and it's thrilling to hear Tenzin's voice, full of matter and movement away from matter, yearning and the movement away from yearning. James's voice as narrator is beautiful too -­‐ full of gorgeously compassionate intention." •
Autumne Camidge (Tweed Shire Palliative Care) “I am writing to congratulate and to thank you and the Trikaya ensemble for your extraordinary presentation and theatrical interpretation of the Tibetan Book of the Dead,"in the Between". I thank you with a sense of gratitude on the personal level as a practising Buddhist, as well as a avid lover of theatre. I also wish to say to you that the performance also had another aspect of awareness raising for me. I work in the field of palliative care in the Tweed Shire as a trainer of palliative support volunteer carers. An important part of being an effective support volunteer is to have an understanding of the different cultural views that human beings have about death and the dying process. To be invited to listen to the teaching within the Tibetan Book of the Dead in the way that Trikaya presented it makes it very accessible to people previously unfamiliar with the text. The evocation that the music and singing carried, enveloped me and most of the audience and held us spellbound. I hope you will continue to perform this presentation as next time I will bring our team of volunteers. It is an excellent educational resource as a personal "death awareness exercise" as well as having a cultural and religious dimension for any one interested in living and dying consciously.”