Am I a fraud? Am I craving the approval of others through my good actions?
The chances are that your actions are mixed with some elements that could be purer but if we had to be pure before we could accumulate punya how would any of us purify ourselves? Good actions that are directed at benefitting others always bring punya (often translated as merit) – i.e. good karmic results. Continue reading Am I a fraud? Am I craving the approval of others through my good actions?
What does it mean to be open & turn towards our experience?
Trying to be more open means adopting a particular attitude which could be called turning towards experience. This means giving whatever experience that arises sufficient space to be fully aware of it. Continue reading What does it mean to be open & turn towards our experience?
Is a pranidhana – a wishing prayer or the power of our wishes and intentions – just a concept?
The power of the pranidhana comes from the true nature of reality – the Indestructible Heart Essence – the Unborn and non-Compounded. This never dies and is our Tathagatagarbha or Buddha Nature. When it is no longer covered by confusion it has the power to spontaneously accomplish all it wishes and intends or has ever wished and intended. Continue reading Is a pranidhana – a wishing prayer or the power of our wishes and intentions – just a concept?
What do the bowls of water on a shrine represent?
There are many other ways that we can show our appreciation and respect in the shrine room as well as in practice situations by gestures of honouring and appreciation as we encounter the sacred. One way to do this is to place gifts on your shrine. We use the Tibetan tradition that comes from India of offering seven or eight bowls of water. Continue reading What do the bowls of water on a shrine represent?
How do we practise with feelings of unworthiness?
Even the feeling of heaviness associated with self-loathing can be seen as simply sensations, the habitual negative thoughts as just thinking. A possibility of being simple about the whole thing presents itself. A possibility of opening into something vaster, yet more intimate – the light at the end of the tunnel. Continue reading How do we practise with feelings of unworthiness?
How to meditate with strong emotions
In general I think that when we are feeling very emotional it is important to be gentle with ourselves and trust our underlying sanity. When it is time to sit in meditation, don’t have some huge project or demand – just sit in order to sit and just be. Continue reading How to meditate with strong emotions
Video: Lama Shenpen Teaching on Buddha Nature
Lama Shenpen gave a teaching a few weeks ago from The Hermitage in North Wales, on Buddha Nature. Watch below or on our YouTube channel. Her next teaching will be given on Saturday 28th September. The teaching can be attended in person in North Wales or watched live online via Zoom. Full details about how to book or attend online are on the event page … Continue reading Video: Lama Shenpen Teaching on Buddha Nature
