17th KarmapaOur misery or happiness depends on how we react to external events and internal thoughts. We judge and label everything based on our reactions. Sometimes our reactions are so strong that they destroy us. But the real problem is in not understanding that reactions themselves come and go based on ever-changing circumstances.
The openness of panoramic awareness ~ Chögyam Trungpa
Chögyam TrungpaLike a great river that runs down toward the ocean, the narrowness of discipline leads into the openness of panoramic awareness.
The path of pausing ~ Pema Chödron
Pema ChödronThe primary focus of this path of choosing wisely, of this training to de-escalate aggression, is learning to stay present. Pausing very briefly, frequently throughout the day, is an almost effortless way to do this. For just a few seconds we can be right here. Meditation is another way to train in learning to stay, or, as one student put it more accurately, learning to come back, to return to being present over and over again. The truth is, anyone who’s ever tried meditation learns really quickly that we are almost never fully present. I remember when I was first given meditation instruction. It sounds so simple: Just sit down, get comfortable, and bring light awareness to your breath. When your mind wanders, gently come back and stay present with your breath. I thought, “This will be easy.” Then someone hit a gong to begin and I tried it. What I found was that I wasn’t present with a single breath until they hit the gong again to end the session. I had spent the whole time lost in thought.
Being a grain of sand ~ Chögyam Trungpa
Chögyam TrungpaThe real experience, beyond the dream world, is the beauty and color and excitement of the real experience of now in everyday life. When we face things as they are, we give up the hope of something better. Depression and ignorance, the emotions, whatever we experience, are all real and contain tremendous truth. If we really want to experience the truth, we have to be where we are. It is just a matter of being a grain of sand.
Touch-and-go ~ Chögyam Trungpa
Chögyam TrungpaThe application of mindfulness has to be precise. If we cling to our practice, we create stagnation. Therefore, in our application of the techniques of mindfulness, we must be aware of the fundamental tendency to cling, to survive. We come to this in the mindfulness of life, or survival. We encounter this tendency in the form of clinging to the meditative state. We experience the meditative state and it is momentarily tangible, but in that same moment it is also dissolving. Going along with this process means developing a sense of letting go of awareness as well as of contacting it. This could be described as touch-and-go: you are there—present, mindful—and then you let go.
Mind’s unlimited capacity ~ Mingyur Rinpoche
Mingyur RinpocheNot recognizing natural mind is simply an example of the mind’s unlimited capacity to create whatever it wants.
The root of happiness ~ Pema Chödron
Pema ChödronIt takes some training to equate complete letting go with comfort. But in fact, ‘nothing to hold on to’ is the root of happiness. There’s a sense of freedom when we accept that we’re not in control.
What makes the mind satisfied is simple ~ 17th Karmapa
17th KarmapaWe need a balance between our outer material and our inner spiritual worlds. We can look at material things and ask ourselves: “Do I need this or not?” We don’t have to go to extremes, making huge changes and thinking that we have to give up everything like Milarepa. We need a good situation, but a simple one, not a life complicated by always wanting more. Ultimately, the reality is that what makes the mind satisfied is simple. What is ordinary can be very special. For example, breathing is quite ordinary. If our minds rest with awareness on the breath, what happens? The air naturally goes in and out; we don’t have to do anything, since the continuous, simple movement that supports our life happens without effort. This in itself can make our mind joyful and content.
The only thing that is really worth doing ~ Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
Dilgo Khyentse RinpocheUnless you have made a clear decision to turn your back on samsara, then however many prayers you recite, however much you meditate, however many years you remain in retreat, it will all be in vain. You may have a long life, but it will be without essence. You may accumulate great wealth, but it will be meaningless. The only thing that is really worth doing is to get steadily closer to enlightenment and further away from samsara. Think about it carefully.
Passionlessness ~ Chögyam Trungpa
Chögyam TrungpaPassionlessness is what enables you to practice the Dharma and to quiet your body, speech, and mind. It is related to the development of fearlessness and egolessness. The idea of self-existence, or ego, creates tremendous self-hatred, which automatically projects out to others. In contrast, when there is kindness to oneself and others, this automatically creates a quality of workability. It creates immense space or emptiness.
Taking Our Problems and Sufferings as a Support for Our Practice ~ 17th Karmapa
17th KarmapaMany methods can free us from difficulties; however, precious bodhichitta, encompassing loving-kindness and compassion, is supreme. If we meditate on it well, there is nothing we cannot remedy. When we experience many different sufferings, they can be an actual support, a situation conducive to Dharma practice. If we were problem-free, we would have a hard time remembering to practice Dharma. If we are already practicing Dharma, it would be difficult for the practice to benefit us deeply. Taking all our problems and suffering as a support, we should bring them onto the path of practice. To the extent they are brought onto the path, to that extent will we attain the good qualities that result from practice.
The importance of human life ~ 14th Dalai Lama
14th Dalai LamaIf we realize, “I am a human being. A human being can do anything,” this determination, courage, and self-confidence are important sources of victory and success. Without will power and determination, even something that you might have achieved easily cannot be achieved. If you have will power and reasonable courage — not blind courage but courage without pride — even things that seemed impossible at a certain stage turn into being possible because of continuing effort inspired by that courage. Thus, determination is important.
How can this be developed? Not through machines, not by money, but by our own inner strength based on clear realization of the value of human beings, of human dignity. For, once we realize that a human being is much more than just material, much more than just money, we can feel the importance of human life, from which we can feel the importance of compassion and kindness.
Cutting through clinging ~ Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
Dilgo Khyentse RinpocheTo cut through the mind’s clinging, it is important to understand that all appearances are void, like the appearance of water in a mirage. Beautiful forms are of no benefit to the mind, nor can ugly forms harm it in any way. Sever the ties of hope and fear, attraction and repulsion, and remain in equanimity in the understanding that all phenomena are nothing more than projections of your own mind.
Exposing ourselves to annihilation ~ Pema Chödron
Pema ChödronOnly to the extent that we expose ourselves over and over to annihilation can that which is indestructible in us be found.
Recognizing the emptiness of your thoughts ~ Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
Dilgo Khyentse RinpocheIf you recognize the emptiness of your thoughts instead of solidifying them, the arising and subsiding of each thought will clarify and strengthen your realization of emptiness.
The creative aspect of everyday difficulties ~ Chögyam Trungpa
Chögyam TrungpaPreconceptions come up in people’s relationship to money, their relationship to work, their relationship to sex, even their relationship to their parents. We find it difficult to relate to these things, especially as they manifest in urban life. That doesn’t mean, however, that we should run away from these issues. Because there is something difficult and destructive involved, there must be something creative involved as well. Relating to that creative aspect is the point.
Smile ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
Thich Nhat HanhIf a child smiles, if an adult smiles, that is very important. If in our daily lives we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. If we really know how to live, what better way to start the day than with a smile? Our smile affirms our awareness and determination to live in peace and joy. The source of a true smile is an awakened mind.
Let your mind flow with the Dharma ~ 14th Dalai Lama
14th Dalai LamaDharma is something that should concern us on a day to day basis; it is not something to just set aside when the teachings are over. Use what I have taught as way to open things up. Study the text and let your mind flow with the Dharma.
Just looking at fear ~ Chögyam Trungpa
Chögyam TrungpaFear is a hallmark of your progress on the path. Just as you are about to give birth to further confidence, that breakthrough is preceded by a sense of utter fear. When this occurs in your life, you should examine the nature of fear. This is not based on asking logical questions about fear: “Why am I afraid?” It is simply looking at the state of fear or panic that is taking place in you. Just look at it.
A proper cup of tea ~ Chögyam Trungpa
Chögyam TrungpaHold the sadness and pain of samsara in your heart and at the same time the power and vision of the Great Eastern Sun. Then the warrior can make a proper cup of tea.