What can we learn from the events or problems that encourage us to pause? My hope for us all is that we will not resist the challenges that arise, but see them as opportunities. I hope we will welcome these obstacles, these pauses, these moments of reflection. And while we do, let us practice loving-kindness toward ourselves and those around us.
What is the quality of your mind, right now? That was the question Acharya Lama Tenpa Gyaltsen posed at the beginning of a weekend teaching on the topic of Mahāmudrā and Bodhicitta at Milarepa’s Yak Horn, our center in Hong Kong.
Christmas, New Year, all samsaric things like this naturally come. However, to practice Dharma, making a deep connection with our own mind, requires a lot of effort. Rather than turning inward, Lama Rabten Tshering noted that we tend to choose samsara– suffering. Why?
It can be easy for me to fall into self-pity. I find myself clinging to a solid sense of self when I experience physical or emotional pain. But when I apply what I have learned in my longtime Buddhist practice, I can let go of my self-clinging and self-pity, and I can experience compassion for all suffering beings, including myself.
On the auspicious occasion of Lhabab Düchen, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche officially opened the doors of Nalandabodhi Taichung’s new temple, Namkha Ösal.In his talk to all those present onsite and online, Rinpoche spoke about the meaning of the name, following Acharya Jampa’s story about the background behind establishing this dharma center and Naiwen Cheng sharing about the significance of the construction and style of the building.
Engaging in self-reflection this way helps us to see things as they are, not as they seem. We invite ourselves to go deeper, to investigate our habitual patterns of judgment and values that we often take for granted. As we do so, we find that there is space there, a gap where we can decide how we want to proceed. We don’t have to be prisoners in our own mental cage.
Drawing from the teachings of the rich Buddhist tradition and personal experience, these articles are written by members of our community from all over the world, offering contemplations and practices to apply directly on our own path in life and interconnected global society.
How to find freedom, contentment and genuine, lasting wellbeing? How to put wisdom and compassion into action in our daily life, contributing to kind communities in today’s global society?
