May bodhicitta, precious and sublime, arise where it has not yet come to be. Where it has arisen may it never fail, but grow and flourish more and more.
Unbroken lineages of wisdom traditions are rare in these times, and Kongtrul Rinpoche descends from a pure lineage of the Dzogpa Chenpo Longchen Nyingtik tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
We have two main study and practice centers in America: Phuntsok Choling in Colorado and Pema Osel in Vermont. Rinpoche teaches the core MSB programs at these two centers. In addition, MSB has several city centers or groups around the world where people gather for group meditation and study, and to listen to the LINK teachings together.
Browse to any of the calendars to find out more about the teaching schedules of Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, Dungse Jampal Norbu, or Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel. View the upcoming events at Phuntsok Choling, Pema Osel, or find out who is giving the next LINK talk.
MSB is a part of the Longchen Nyingtik and Khyen-Kong-Chok-Sum lineages. (Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye, and Terton Chokgyur Lingpa, collectively known as Khyen-Kong-Chok-Sum, were the heart of the Rimé, or nonsectarian, movement, which did so much to preserve and harmonize all schools of Tibetan Buddhism in the nineteenth century.)
Get our latest articles in your inbox:
Many new practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism feel clumsy that their thoughts and actions lack a certain elegance or grace. Why? As you begin to practice meditation, you gradually become more conscious of your less-than-graceful states of mind and your general awkwardness navigating through the world. You might feel clumsy in Tibetan culture, but you might also start to feel clumsy in Western culture, among your family and friends. For instance, you could feel embarrassed around Tibetans mispronouncing words, chanting incorrectly but you might also feel funny putting your hands together to say grace with your parents before sharing a meal. Your clumsiness simply indicates a misunderstanding of the true nature of grace and elegance, and how these qualities can blossom through your meditation practice.
Meditation practice, “if it’s working”, cuts at the root of your ego. When that root gets cut, you have the opportunity to relax, because there is not so much hope and fear involved in your daily activities. You don’t have to think, plan, or scheme. You can just do: do what you’ve been asked to do, do what you want to do, do what needs to be done. There is just the simple act of doing without ego involvement, without the dualistic mindset to stir up confusing thoughts and emotions.
Once your mind can relax, space opens up, and you just do, free from concepts. This genuine, authentic mind is naturally graceful and elegant because there is not much “happening;” not so much “thinking” about the past or future, or even any busyness in the present moment. No clumsy confusion, no awkward intention, nothing to cover up or compromise your graceful, innate action.
How do we begin to reconnect with this state? We were all born with an authentic, jewel-like mind, simple and relaxed. But, as we go through life, gritty, dirty, endless complications crowd that jewel, covering up the grace and elegance it naturally contains. We grow clumsier and more awkward, constantly focusing on the grit and grime, the seemingly important things in life, all the while neglecting the precious jewel.
We are fortunate because the Buddhist path gives us a way to uncover the mind, and a way to clean and polish it. We start by cultivating inner strength and inner wellbeing through meditation practice. At the same time we practice letting go of the grit and grime, the outer, unimportant things. We begin to relax and feel connected to life, to every moment of every single day. Graceful elegance slowly pierces the veil of our awkwardness.
Next Week: Part II: The Resolved Practitioner, Naturally Elegant, Naturally Graceful
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Name
Email
Δ