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 […]
Those of us trying to improve our compassion focus on the 6 perfections to open the heart and reduce attachment to the ego and its possessions. These start with the easiest, generosity. But not so […]
Forgiving takes a heavy load off our chest. We feel light as a feather. Practicing gratitude opens the heart. We feel that everything sparkles. Countering anger with tolerance brings ease and understanding. We feel relaxed. […]
Not getting what you what is a blessing in disguise. When we are very disappointed and let down, just like when we are falsely accused, our sense of self is right there in our face. […]
Forgiveness is the spice of life. Without it, life is bland at best. Forgiveness opens our heart and allows us to breathe fully. It brings a smile, and fills the heart with joy. Keeping hurts […]
Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul died today. She sang like she was channeling a higher power, maybe God, or maybe the innate luminosity potential for total goodness, beauty, and happiness. Even mosquitos have this […]
Our default position whenever possible is forgiveness and gratitude. Forgiveness counters arrogance and ego. This moves us towards insight and wisdom. Gratitude opens our heart to compassion. Wisdom and compassion lead to the two bodies […]
Human Values Institute