“I find in situations like that it is important to keep strongly aware of what is going on inside me and respecting that, while maintaining as friendly relations as I can.” Continue reading How do you practice when you just don’t like somebody?
I have reflected for decades on how the worlds we find ourselves in are the inseparable result of my actions of body speech and mind. What I wish for is what will eventually manifest – so directing my intentions as powerfully as possible makes complete sense to me. Continue reading What if our prayers and practice feel contrived and liturgy and imagery doesn’t move us?
As long as we are noticing we are practising. Don’t then think ‘I’m a bad person’ – to notice is a positive thing – commit to just notice without doing something. We don’t have to change then and there. Continue reading Why Noticing is Enough
Yes, there is right balance to be achieved between practice and study. It is important to learn from a teacher and/or reading, what are the important points or principles involved in following the path to Awakening. Most people don’t have enough personal contact to pick all this up from the teacher and so they need to combine personal contact with home study. Continue reading Is there a balance to be achieved between practice and study?
Lama Shenpen gave a teaching in November, giving an overview of her Living the Awakened Heart Training, describing how Dharma is taught in the Awakened Heart Sangha. In the video Lama Shenpen explains all the different areas of practice and training, and how they relate to each other and the tradition. Continue reading Video teaching: Overview of Lama Shenpen’s Living the Awakened Heart Training
It mainly means gaining deeper conviction and trust in the practice and that arises from deepening understanding and insight and trust in the practice. Other practices might or might not help. Continue reading Student’s Question: How Can I Take My Practice Deeper?
It’s important to keep it simple and coming from your heart. Sometimes other practises help us to recognise blind spots and inspire and galvanise us – but always at the heart of it all the practice is simplicity. Continue reading Is it possible to keep things simple? Is having a simple practice ‘enough’?
Lama Shenpen advises a student who is questioning the practice of repeating a prayer over and over: “Always do the practice that comes most strongly from one’s heart, the practice that one has most confidence in.” Continue reading Follow your Heart
