June 3, 2010 | Topics: Self Reflection The Practice of Self Reflection The desire for happiness is universal. And beyond finding happiness and meaning in our lives, most of us want to be good, decent human beings. Wanting to be good, happy, and decent is not only a reasonable desire but also a noble one. Ironically, much of the time we struggle with how to go about accomplishing this. We have an idea of how we want to be, but we always find ourselves running up against our own doubts, fears, and insecurities. On the spiritual path, we speak of enlightenment. But how do we reconcile enlightenment with what we see when… Read More
The Basis of Happiness: Confronting the Authority Within Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche June 6, 2017 There’s no doubt that each of us wants to be happy; but happiness doesn’t come on demand. Not many people actually believe that “happiness is freedom from the suffering that our mind creates.” Even though we may want it, we won’t get this kind of happiness or peace on demand, by willing it or trying
Peace Talk: The Power of Supplication Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche May 1, 2017 In the last few years in the Middle East, hundreds of thousands of people have died, been injured, lost loved ones, and lost homes and livelihoods. Even if all American objectives were attained at a minimal cost, America will still have to suffer the repercussions of having increased the number of its enemies. And there
Bearing Chyoshe: Experiencing Sadness as Freedom Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche March 15, 2017 When we feel negative feelings or aggression towards others, if we look at our mind honestly and very openly, we will discover that those feelings are nothing other than our own attachments manifesting. Consider this: whomever we think is close to us now, and for whom we have warm feelings toward now, all these relations
Cultivating Aspiration Bodhicitta: Part 1 – Generating Great Kindness MSB-Admin March 1, 2017 I would like to begin by first saying a few things about bodhicitta practice, the practice of developing a good heart. Bodhicitta is the practice of all buddhas of the past, the present, and the future, and it has two aspects. The first aspect, aspiration bodhicitta, is defined as a genuine wish to cultivate enlightenment