Introduction Persons, according to Tsong khapa (1357 - 1419) are illusory-like. They are illusory-like because while existing truly in one sense, they are nonetheless thoroughly unreal. For superior beings (arya, ‘phags pa) this seemingly paradoxical statement is in fact a straightforward description of how persons exist in reality. Ordinary beings however, do not apprehend persons as illusory-like. Instead they appear as if ultimately real, existing by way of their own character (rang gi mtshan nyid kyis grub pa)... [Read the full story]
What is Meditation Meditation is an integral part of a larger process of becoming healthy. It is both a diagnostic and therapeutic tool used in this endeavour. In the classical Buddhist context, the term meditation is used to translate the Sanskrit term bhävana and its Tibetan equivalent gom. The Sanskrit term carries with it the connotation of cultivating particular consciousness or perception, while its Tibetan equivalent gom has the idea of developing a familiarity of that perception and emotions like such as compassion.... [Read the full story]
For those of you that know what Twitter is, I have just started to give it a go after many people suggesting I give it a try. My account is here https://twitter.com/lodenjinpa What is twitter? via wikipedia: Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that allows its users to send and read other users’ updates (otherwise known as tweets), which are text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length. Updates are displayed on the user’s profile page and delivered to other users who have signed... [Read the full story]
What is Meditation Meditation is an integral part of a larger process of becoming healthy. It is both a diagnostic and therapeutic tool used in this endeavour. In the classical Buddhist context, the term meditation is used to translate the Sanskrit term bhävana and its Tibetan equivalent gom. The Sanskrit term carries with it the connotation of cultivating particular consciousness or perception, while its Tibetan equivalent gom has the idea of developing a familiarity of that perception and emotions like such as compassion.... [Read the full story]
Introduction Persons, according to Tsong khapa (1357 - 1419) are illusory-like. They are illusory-like because while existing truly in one sense, they are nonetheless thoroughly unreal. For superior beings (arya, ‘phags pa) this seemingly paradoxical statement is in fact a straightforward description of how persons exist in reality. Ordinary beings however, do not apprehend persons as illusory-like. Instead they appear as if ultimately real, existing by way of their own character (rang gi mtshan nyid kyis grub pa)... [Read the full story]
I would say that every living being wants happiness. But if this is the case why it is that we continue to experience problems? Read More →
For those of us that aspire to meditate well, it can be easy to get caught in thoughts of how wonderful it would be to have flawless concentration. As most of us carry expectations into our meditation sessions, and as we sit with a mind that continues to wander, continues to play the uncontrollable buffoon, it is easy for us to become disheartened by our lack of progress. Be like a meditator, think like a meditator: embrace failure. Successful meditators on the other hand, no strike that, successful people, embrace failure. Such people are not put off by long and difficult journeys, in fact, they are often inspired by such challenges. Great Meditators have a innate ability to see through their everyday likes and dislikes, enabling them to offset short term pleasure for long term goals. This ability sees restlessness as an enemy of meditation, and understands the benefits of disregarding short term hardships that may arise during meditation, for long terms goals of meditation. Meditating every morning, even for just 15 minutes, will help reduce restlessness. Moreover, being aware of your restlessness during normal daily activities will increase your ability to meditate when you hit the cushion. These two are mutually supporting and they arise together. If you commit to at least 15 minutes of meditation each morning, this will help support your daily activities. Because you feel better through the day you are more likely to continue meditating each morning. Through committing to an ongoing program of morning meditation, your ability to put aside the pleasure of an extra 15 minutes of sleep for sitting on the floor with crossed legs, focusing on your personal object of meditation be it the breath or compassion, will increase your endurance and perseverance, attributes that are key to becoming a meditator. However, every meditator at some point has to deal with the restlessness that arises from boredom. If you can make it through this point in your meditation career, realizations... [Read the full story]