In order of difficulty starting with the easiest, we practice generosity, then no harm, patience, not giving up, and concentration. These are the practices of a Bodhisattva, one who trains in Bodhicitta, or universal compassion […]
Regardless of our practice, be it generosity, patience, no harm, diligence, mindfulness, compassion, mantra recitation, circumambulation, visualization of oneself as a deity, or any positive practice, we can bring it in tune with reality by […]
The 1st Panchen Lama, Lobsang Choekyi Gyaltsen, in his ‘Guru Puja’ (‘Lama Choepa’) writes, “This chronic disease of cherishing ourselves is the cause giving rise to our unsought suffering; understanding this, we seek the courage […]
The Buddha was very sophisticated when teaching about compassion, and about everything. He taught there are different gradations of suffering, or dukkha. Superficially we all know and experience physical and mental pain. A little hidden […]
Based on a correct understanding of reality through knowing the two truths, we begin our journey along the path to enlightenment. Understanding conventional reality built around concepts and language, we practice compassion. This allows us […]
Nonduality is the goal. Not just any nonduality, but one informed by emptiness. Emptiness of intrinsic existence. All our ordinary perceptions and conceptions are flavored by intrinsic existence. Thus, eventually all perceptions and conceptions will […]
It comes down to unconditional love. The blocks to unconditional love, or Bodhicitta, are our destructive emotions like anger, jealously, pride, and selfishness. These are all rooted in a delusion that we and things exist […]
With a relaxed mind, look at something, anything, say a clock on the wall. Mentally check to see if there is really a clock over there, seeming to exist on its own. Check to see […]
“Row, row, row, your boat, gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream.” This is how everything appears coming out of deep meditation on emptiness. We see things, but we […]
Last post’s discussion of tonglen (taking suffering and giving love and wisdom) is not a complete practice for most of us who do not realize emptiness. Realizing emptiness requires accumulating massive amounts of merit. We […]
Human Values Institute