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?
Story & Video: Being ordained by the 16th Karmapa
An excerpt from Lama Shenpen’s life story book ‘Keeping The Dalai Lama Waiting & Other Stories: An English Woman’s Journey to Becoming a Buddhist Lama’ about being ordained by the 16th Karmapa and her close connection with him. Continue reading Story & Video: Being ordained by the 16th Karmapa
Video: Book Launch Celebration
Thanks to everyone who joined us online last Saturday 16th May to celebrate the Launch of Lama Shenpen’s life story book ‘Keeping The Dalai Lama Waiting & Other Stories: An English Woman’s Journey to Becoming a Buddhist Lama’ Continue reading Video: Book Launch Celebration
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?
Isolation Inspiration from Lama Shenpen’s Life Story: What can we learn from her life spent in retreat?
With a life spent in long periods of isolation in meditation retreats, both here in the UK and the Himalayas during the 1970s, Lama Shenpen can teach us a lot about living in lock-down during the Coronavirus pandemic. How might we use this time as an opportunity to benefit ourselves and others through meditation, reflection and insight? Continue reading Isolation Inspiration from Lama Shenpen’s Life Story: What can we learn from her life spent in retreat?
What does the term Formless Meditation mean & where did it come from?
Formless Meditation seems to mean anything from basic Shamata to deepest levels of vipashyana, Mahamudra and/or Dzogchen. Formless Meditation is a term coined by Trungpa Rinpoche which is clearly meant to include far more than simply a Shamata practice without a particular focus or object. Continue reading What does the term Formless Meditation mean & where did it come from?
What is Vipashyana Meditation?
The Vipashyana aspect of the Formless Meditation practice comes in as we begin to wonder what our experience actually is in itself. We do this by wondering what is the mind, what is a thought or a feeling, what is a sensation, what is the space of awareness in which all this happens. Continue reading What is Vipashyana Meditation?
