Student's Question

How can we practise with the antidote to the ‘near enemies’ of the Four Apramanas? Correcting distortions of Love, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy & Equanimity

If love is wishing others well and feeling connected in a trusting and open way, then when we notice we have an agenda such as ‘I would love you if you were not so….’ – we can acknowledge that judgemental quality as our own desire and attachment and work with how to become more gentle, open and generous. Continue reading How can we practise with the antidote to the ‘near enemies’ of the Four Apramanas? Correcting distortions of Love, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy & Equanimity

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Event, Lama Shenpen Teaching

Weekend Retreat with Lama Shenpen: The Seven Points of Mind Training

Lama Shenpen continues teaching on this year’s theme of Love and Compassion by exploring the classic text from Atisha on the Seven points of Mind training. From next Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th July. Booking form HERE. Lama Shenpen will be talking about the nature of our compassionate heart as Openness, Clarity and Sensitivity. These teachings will also introduce the theme of how to incorporate … Continue reading Weekend Retreat with Lama Shenpen: The Seven Points of Mind Training

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Student's Question

How does imagination fit into the process of reflection and meditation?

When we try in an ego-centric way – or manipulate our experience to be what we think it should be – then it’s kind of aggressive, ambitious and pushy. But when we are simply playing in the openness of awareness – trying things out in a relaxed and gentle way that feels really alive and kind of beautiful… Continue reading How does imagination fit into the process of reflection and meditation?

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Student's Question

Examining Awareness: How can we know Awareness is not created and conditioned?

There is no evidence that there was ever a time when awareness was not there – so it’s a possibility that it is not created.  The more familiar one becomes with awareness in one’s Dharma practice the more sense it makes that it is not created – it is not constructed from our thoughts like everything else we know of – awareness is what constructs the thoughts and gets confused by them. Continue reading Examining Awareness: How can we know Awareness is not created and conditioned?

Awakened Heart Sangha
Lama Shenpen Teaching, Video Teaching

Video: The importance of having clarity of intention – our intentions in this life carry on to the next

In the short video below Lama Shenpen talks about the importance of having clarity of intention and following through on whatever intention you have – when things get tough, we don’t have to abandon our goal, we just return to the original intention. “…That’s a really good message for this time, that it isn’t all hopeless and useless… Continue reading Video: The importance of having clarity of intention – our intentions in this life carry on to the next

Loshi
Student's Question

Are We Fooling Ourselves? Lama Shenpen talks to a student about checking that our motivation and practice is genuine

We don’t have to be perfect before we begin – so yes we do start off taking Refuge and practising Dharma with mixed motives. There is no point in developing renunciation if people don’t have a sense of something they trust in first.  If they don’t trust in anything at all then what is the point of banging on about suffering and impermanence? Continue reading Are We Fooling Ourselves? Lama Shenpen talks to a student about checking that our motivation and practice is genuine

Awakened Heart Sangha
mudita rejoicing in the good qualities of others
Student's Question

How does rejoicing in the good qualities of others make those qualities arise in us?

It is the same principle as pranidhanas  – you think of qualities that you admire and your heart responds and you find yourself wishing to be like that oneself – as you orientate yourself towards that wish those qualities are already being awakened within you. Continue reading How does rejoicing in the good qualities of others make those qualities arise in us?

Loshi
Student's Question

What Does The Term Tantra Mean & How Can We Begin To Understand It?

Tantra is much talked about in Tibetan Buddhism but is notoriously difficult to define.  Lots of things are said about it but when you look at what is called tantra in practice – well it doesn’t conform to what is said about it. No wonder people are confused! The term is in danger of being rendered meaningless.  Many of the ways it is defined do not define it at all… Continue reading What Does The Term Tantra Mean & How Can We Begin To Understand It?

Loshi