"Although much of the [ground]work has already been done for us [by the enlightened beings of the past and present], we still have to use our own experience to arrive at our own unshakable confidence. We have to observe our heart, over and over again, both when it's open and when it's closed. We have... Continue Reading →
"If we want to develop the strength of patience, we have to know our own weaknesses. That is the only way we can get free from them. . . When we acknowledge the trouble caused by our own neurotic tendencies . . . we can heave a sigh of relief and start working on the... Continue Reading →
So many people exist in their own bubble, focusing intently on getting food, homes, cars, insurance, securities. We are most afraid of something negative happening to our material world, such as our investments, home, health, and on a larger scale, global warming. But anger and being burned in the flames of anger doesn’t seem to... Continue Reading →
If we look at our habitual mind without deception or judgment, we will see beyond it to who we truly are. Beyond the "self" and what it does or doesn't want, beyond the self that is constantly fighting or tugging at the world lies our true nature and true face. This is the face of... Continue Reading →
When we are young we have many vanities. We envy our friends; we want what they have and we want to do what they do. But as we age, we know time is limited. We can’t afford to live in vain. That is when many practice in earnest: with reason, motivation and a full heart.... Continue Reading →
Like an old man watching children at play, we need to see through our own seriousness. No matter how seriously the children go about their games, the old man is amused and never for a moment takes them to be real. We can watch our thoughts and emotions in the same way. Without taking them... Continue Reading →
The sense of the self is very much behind everything we do. That's why I'm always saying, you have to temper your sense of self - though you cannot get rid of it - but if you want peace in your life, you have to temper your sense of self. Do not engage the self... Continue Reading →
At the very heart of that bodhicitta is the understanding of universal sameness: just as you wish to be happy, others wish to be happy; just as you wish not to suffer, others wish not to suffer. Outside of superficial differences, all sentient beings, from the smallest insect to human beings, are completely identical in... Continue Reading →
We could all use more humor in our lives. Having a sense of humor doesn’t mean laughing and being cheerful all the time. It means seeing the illusory nature of things—and seeing how, in this illusory life, we are always bumping into the very things we meticulously try to avoid. Humor allows us to see... Continue Reading →
All living beings seek happiness and the causes and conditions of happiness and wish to avoid suffering and the causes and conditions of suffering. That natural intelligence is a sign of the buddhanature and is known as the natural disposition toward enlightenment.The activation of that natural disposition into actual movement toward enlightenment starts when you... Continue Reading →
During difficult times we often fail to recognize our wisdom potential because we tend to focus on our pain. At these times we may even feel that faith is not a possibility for us – that it is something that people either have or don’t – not something that we can cultivate. But our instinctual... Continue Reading →
Maintaining care, we should always wish everyone the best, regardless of whether we can be the direct cause for their well-being. Many people make the mistake of thinking that when we wish others well, then we also have to be responsible for their well-being. We can't always be a direct support for people because their... Continue Reading →
Self-reflection is not an end in itself. Rather, it is the key that opens the door to your innermost qualities, to buddha nature. It shows you the strength and confidence you already possess as a result of those innate qualities. This strength and confidence allows you to carry on with a sense of richness, of... Continue Reading →
Keeping our heart and mind open to experiences of compassion should not depend on being able to do something about another person's suffering. Feeling compassion is a powerful exercise for the mind, whether or not anything can be done to help. Understanding that compassion is a practice of the mind first and foremost, with the... Continue Reading →
It is important to learn to simply relax with intense feelings such as depression, insecurity, or fear. There is no need to label them “no good” or “unpleasant” and no need to get rid of them. Just let them be. This is much simpler and more effective than trying to avoid fear or get rid... Continue Reading →
Pain can be a better revealer of your own mind than any other state. Sometimes pain is really a great ally for you to discover certain defects in your mind. Pain sometimes can serve as an illuminator. People think, “Oh, I’m not very arrogant; I don’t feel so arrogant; I don’t think I see myself... Continue Reading →
Even if we know a lot about Dharma, we still need to integrate our knowledge with our experience or we won’t be able to reduce our habit of me and mine. Wisdom must serve as medicine; it’s ineffective if it never counteracts our poison or illness. An intellectual knowledge of Dharma is not enough; we... Continue Reading →
Consider this: whomever we think is close to us now, and for whom we have warm feelings toward now, all these relations will eventually change. By the same token, someone who we feel aggression towards now, could later become close. Relationships always change. So that aggression, just as much as our attachments, has no permanent,... Continue Reading →
All people have enlightened nature. Everyone’s hearts are innately imbued with tsewa*. Why not cherish what you have in common with all beings rather than make yourself insecure by trying so hard to be special, somehow better than everyone else? If you can enjoy being ordinary, you’ll be free from the insidious, unrelenting pain of... Continue Reading →
When it is warm with tenderness and affection toward others, our own heart can give us the most pure and profound happiness that exists and enable us to radiate that happiness to others. That happiness is right here within us. It is not something on the outside for which we need to search and strive.... Continue Reading →
