How can we increase our sense of sacredness & transmission with online Dharma teachings & downloaded texts?
These days we surf the net and find a likely looking Dharma website and feel that parting with our money is to take a risk, since who knows who the people are and what they’re are up to. So often it is with suspicion and scepticism that we embark on a course and the practice, hardly knowing what to expect and wondering if this is yet another internet scam.
Hardly the best way to approach the holy Dharma teachings! Continue reading How can we increase our sense of sacredness & transmission with online Dharma teachings & downloaded texts?
Meeting Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche
He was about forty at the time, small in stature, with the walk and presence of a samurai warrior. There was something very direct and yet very kind in everything he said or did. Having shown him into his room, I sat down in the semi-darkness of the gathering dusk to listen to him talking and felt an immediate sense of rightness and connection. Continue reading Meeting Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche
What Does the Term ‘Guru Principle’ Mean?
Even our enemies can become our gurus if we learn patience and forbearance from them. Texts can be our guru; the world around us can become our guru. This is because the guru is the all-pervading and timeless compassionate action of the Buddha’s mandala of awakening, which is reaching out to us through all the circumstances of our life…. Continue reading What Does the Term ‘Guru Principle’ Mean?
Should I continue to practice generosity towards others if they take me for granted?
So, we have to examine our motives carefully. Sometimes, as with children, it’s better to hold back and instil in others a deeper kind of respect for the things that you wish to give them or even greater respect for yourself. Continue reading Should I continue to practice generosity towards others if they take me for granted?
Can I Hurt Others With My Negative Thoughts?
If in our heart of hearts we don’t want the thoughts to have a negative influence on others then they won’t. Even if we have wished others harm in the past we can negate those thoughts by our sincere regret and send out endless good wishes instead. Continue reading Can I Hurt Others With My Negative Thoughts?
Is it normal to need to back off from meditating if fear or anxiety arises?
Fear arises in the expanse of the spaciousness of your being and if you can trust that nature of your being, the fear is simply a movement that doesn’t disturb you. You can even rest in fear… Continue reading Is it normal to need to back off from meditating if fear or anxiety arises?
Rigdzin Shikpo’s 3 Year Retreat – A new excerpt from Keeping the Dalai Lama Waiting & Other Stories
The following is a fascinating excerpt from Lama Shenpen’s life story book ‘Keeping the Dalai Lama Waiting & Other Stories’ about Rigdzin Shikpo’s three year retreat, how he received the name Rigdzin Shikpo, as well as an explanation of the term ‘guru yoga’. Shared in memory of Lama Rigdzin Shikpo Rinpoche who recently passed away. Continue reading Rigdzin Shikpo’s 3 Year Retreat – A new excerpt from Keeping the Dalai Lama Waiting & Other Stories
The Passing of Lama Rigdzin Shikpo Rinpoche
Lama Shenpen’s husband and teacher Rigdzin Shikpo Rinpoche has passed away (1935-2023).
“Rigdzin Shikpo passed away at about 8pm on Friday 28th April. He just suddenly had cardiac arrest and the paramedics couldn’t save him. That night we made offerings to the stupa and offering the lights to the stupa, with prayers such as the Seven Line Prayer to Guru Rinpoche…” Continue reading The Passing of Lama Rigdzin Shikpo Rinpoche
Striking the balance between feeling good about yourself and the ‘8 worldly dharmas’
This is not to say that it isn’t fun and even meaningful to dress well, to be liked, to be praised for what we do and so on. That could all be thought of as positive feedback that helps us communicate and be effective in the world. But if our confidence depends on things like that then sooner or later we are going to come unstuck Continue reading Striking the balance between feeling good about yourself and the ‘8 worldly dharmas’
Panic as a sign of insight & The Four Noble Truths in the Living the Awakened Heart Training
It is exactly how insight starts to develop – the panic reaction is as deep as samsara itself. There would be no samsara if there were no panic. Sometimes we let things get so close to the edge that the panic manifests as raw panic and we have to start working with the reality of that – not running away or trying to avoid it – it is the First Noble Truth of Dukkha Continue reading Panic as a sign of insight & The Four Noble Truths in the Living the Awakened Heart Training
