Infusing Western Life with Tibetan Buddhist Compassion
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has said he wakes up each morning before 4:00 to study and meditate. When asked why he repeatedly reviews the same texts he has taught numerous times, and is expert in, he replies that he is striving to further purify his intentions. When Pablo Casals, the cello virtuoso, was in … Read more
In the ancient texts, Siddhartha (aka The Buddha) is often referred to as the Conqueror, while the Mahayana Path is described as that of the Bodhisattva Warrior. Conqueror. Warrior. These are fighting words, not often used to define people, studies and practices that work to cultivate patience, generosity, virtue, loving kindness and wise compassion. But … Read more
There’s been lots of talk and references made in these writings to the ‘Buddhist’ Path . . . what exactly is that? For many, it is the Dharma curriculum, full of ideas . . . teachings and practices . . . meditations and perspectives . . . psychology and spirituality . . . motivations and … Read more
The Buddhist path stresses the interdependence of all things. Our world is a web of interrelated aspects – these include the ‘natural’ world of earth, water, air and fire; living systems of animals and plants, and the human systems of social and economic activities. Our actions can have far-reaching effects, with aftermaths that will eclipse … Read more
Last night Kathy and I conducted a Medicine Buddha sadhana* in our home, shared with some local friends. It is a practice of many aspects, including contemplation, motivation, generosity, prayer, meditation, visualization, mantra chanting and dedication of any results to the benefit of sentient beings everywhere. One of the effects of this and similar practices, … Read more
Along with the frustration and anger, some are feeling these days, comes the notion of “Karma” . . . i.e., other-directed, it is an oft-vengeful sense that ‘he’ or ‘she’ or ‘they’ will rightfully suffer down the road for their actions today. Not only is that mistaken, there’s a whole lot more to Karma than … Read more
The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche argued that one can gauge a man’s relationship to time by the way he/she builds a sand castle. The first man will proceed hesitatingly, intent on craft but meanwhile fretting about the inevitable return of the waves . . . then upset by his loss when they finally arrive. The second … Read more
No matter who is the American president, crocuses and pansies, daffodils and tulips, primrose and petunias will bloom as springtime brings warming sunlight. Babies will be born, loved ones will die; for some people there will be joyous moments, for others inconsolable sadness. Acts of generosity and kindness will continue to heal hearts that are … Read more
At this moment, as you read this, you are alive. It could be daytime or night where you are . . . you might be excited or bored, tired or vibrant, hungry, warm or cold, joyous or sad, focused or distracted, anticipating or dreading what lies in your immediate future. The possibilities are infinite. You … Read more
Seven days to go before Inauguration Day; for some a most-dreaded event. There’s been so much hand-wringing, online rants, conversation . . . heartfelt expressions of disappointment, anger, fear, disgust, disbelief, confusion, arrogance, superiority, hopelessness, disempowerment, apathy. Change is occurring. It is time to evolve. Everything is always changing: people, places, times, ideas. Those that … Read more