Obstacles

[For background, see: Shamatha and Vipashyana: General Presentation. See also: Concentration Terminology] Objects of Shamatha Shamatha (zhi-gnas, calm abiding) is a stilled and settled state of mind that has the accompanying mental factor (sems-byung, subsidiary awareness) of...

Review We’ve looked at what we’re dealing with in attitude training or mind training, which is our experience of everyday life. We live our lives, and experience each moment ourselves. Even if we broadcast everything that we do on Facebook and Twitter, still, we’re the only...

Verses 2 and 3 Review Prostration and Buddha-Nature We have been discussing the first verse of Bodhisattva’s Garland of Gems, which has to do with how to meditate in general and, more specifically, how to meditate on bodhichitta. The topic was introduced by the prostration or...

Buddha taught in terms of the four noble truths: problems, their causes, the state of their total elimination, and pathways of mind that lead to that elimination. Therefore, to deal with difficult experiences that arise in meditation and in retreat and to eliminate them, we...

Methods for developing balanced sensitivity, a state of mind that is non-judgmental, caring and emotionally balanced.

Brief Review We started our discussion of the Eight Verses of Mind Training by Langri Tangpa, with the first verse: (1) May I always cherish all limited beings by considering how far superior they are to wish-granting gems for actualizing the supreme aim. We discussed how...

Paranoia and Vulnerability One of the most important aspects of healthy disciple-mentor relationships is for disciples to receive inspiration from their mentors. This can only occur if they are open to their mentors' uplifting positive influence. Some disciples, however, are...

Verses 11 through 14 Verse 11: Living Happily without Unease or Attachments How to Act When We Meet People Even When We Are Living in Seclusion Let me rid myself of hostility and uneasy mental states, and go happily everywhere. Here, Atisha is continuing the discussion...

The role of ethics on the path of social service is a very important topic if we wish to engage in various types of professions for helping others. Whether it is in actual social services or in education or in healthcare, ethics is a very important aspect of it. Obviously,...

Introduction Limited beings (sems-can, sentient beings) are all unenlightened beings – those with physical, verbal, and mental limitations in comparison to Buddhas. Buddhas are not limited beings; they are not “sentient beings.” Limited beings can be divided into mundane...