Tibetan Buddhism: The Elegant Mind

Beneath the Bodhi tree, as the morning star rose, the veil of human illusion dissolved like mist. The boundaries of Siddhartha’s skin vanished, revealing the universe not as separate fragments, but as a single, luminous tapestry where every creature's sorrow and every flower's joy flowed together. In that breathless moment, the heavy burdens of desire and fear fell away, and he stepped out of the...

Reflection upon a foundational Diamond Sutra verse yields a clear and relevant message to those on the Mahayana path: Each and every sentient being is equally worthy of our attention, caring, cherishing, virtuous intentions and actions. This understanding -- from which the great mind of Equanimity, compassion's fertile ground, arises and abides -- is profoundly empowering.  Feel free to allow your...

Indra’s Jewel Net is a profound metaphor from Hindu and Buddhist philosophy representing the infinite, intra-connected and interpenetrating nature of all reality.    For your consideration, here are some characterizations of trees as they are: vital arboreal participants in the essence of Indra's metaphorical jewels.   Each tree, as part of the ecosystem reflects the entire universe  (just as each...

As much as Tibetan Buddhism is an intrinsic aspect of the Himalaya, so too are those mysterious beings known to the world as the Yeti.  Recalling the devastating earthquake(s) that struck Nepal more than 10 years ago (April 2015), here's a "might have been" tale for your consideration. (Length: 16 minutes) Written and shared here by Mark Winwood, a member of the teaching faculty at Naropa Universi...

This time of year can be difficult for many -- obligatory family gatherings, stress, pressure, stale relationships, contrived cheer, awkward communications, discomfort. But consider: perhaps there's no more fertile setting for meaningful Dharma practice -- and the profound rewards that accompany it -- than with and within our own families.   -- Herein, a tale in which a modern day Bodhisattva prov...

Ignorance, Anger, Confusion, Greed, Jealousy, Arrogance, Cynical close-mindedness, Laziness, Disturbances, Wrong views, Low self-esteem, Fear . . .  *** In Buddhism they are known as Kleshas, mental hindrances that cloud our mind, setting the stage for unwholesome (i.e., self-grasping sourced) intentions and actions. Unwelcome stimulants, they are persistent -- sneaky, lurking, powerful -- like hi...

"Omniscience" -- defined by Merriam-Webster as "having infinite awareness, understanding and insight; possessed of universal or complete knowledge." Otherwise known in our Mahayana perspectives as perfectly evolved wisdom, compassion and a  complete understanding of everything that could ever be understood in order to fully awaken; to become a brilliantly pure 'helper' of other beings . . . aka Bu...

Direct Experiential Realization, often identified in Buddhist thought as requisite 'kin' to the Awakening Mind; slippery to describe with words alone . . . not referring to intellectual understandings or belief systems, perhaps best understood as authentic, unmediated experience(s) of reality. Join us in an accessible discussion of Direct (and Indirect) Realizations; we unpack 'wisdom' notions fro...

For your consideration: core Buddhist philosophy, primarily focusing on the Four Noble Truths (including the Eightfold Path) and the authentic learning/empowerment(s) of direct experience. -- Includes a discussion on the Dukkha-provoking, mistaken-views/notions of ‘Self', practical thoughts on karmic inclinations, Nirvana and the 'Sixteen Aspects of the Four Noble Truths', a teaching said to have...

'TEACHERS' (aka those we learn from) . . . are everywhere, and always have been. Consider the people you've encountered while traveling along the path(s) of your life -- both in your past and those who are here now. Try to clear your mind of feelings of attachment and/or aversion and ask yourself, with an openly honest heart: “What has this person and/or situation taught me? How have they influenc...

Can cultivating genuine kindness and compassion actually make/keep us physically healthier? Stress-created/supported  chronic inflammation is a stubborn low-level attack on our body, it causes significant wear-and-tear over time and is linked to many diseases (i.e., heart disease, diabetes, etc.) as well as some neuro-degenerative conditions. But what if a collection of consistent Tibetan Buddhist...

A brief, accessible and practical discussion on Forgiveness: Compassion's unsung -- and often misunderstood -- hero. Far from being a sign of weakness or acceptance of wrongdoing (which is often how so many people instinctively view it), forgiveness isn't about ignoring suffering or condoning harmful misdeeds, nor is it weak or powerless. Forgiveness is a courageous, sometimes difficult mind/heart...

Disbelief, Wariness, Incredulity . . .  There are many Mahayana Buddhist perceptions and perspectives, notions and insights, practices and methodologies that on the (worldly/samsaric) surface initially might not make sense . . . ideas requiring an open mind in order to penetrate and allow the practical understandings that arouse our curiosity and interest sufficient to lean-in abit and engage -- b...

Ongoing advances in Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), most recently -- and explosively -- led by China's DeepSeek scientists, have stunned the tech/financial world in ways splashed about as pivotal 'wake-up' or 'Sputnik' moments. Certainly, we live in rapidly shifting times . . . but perhaps there ARE things more practically meaningful than global/political/market cyber-tech developments. For your c...

Visualize a vast railroad terminal resembling New York's Grand Central Station, with freshly deceased people entering all the time, mulling around, eventually trudging from the station waiting room toward the track on which their departure train sits, ready to take them on the journey through the Bardo of Becoming to their next rebirth. Consider: While we will all be there one day, the specific tr...

Wednesday, December 11, 2024 Years ago, a Tibetan craftsman created the Thangka for her, presenting a luminous Gautama Buddha surrounded by empowering deities and Dharma protectors. She's spent abundant meditative hours in the Thangka's presence; fondly sitting with it, adoring and appreciating it as one would a most precious friend. In all their time together, the Buddha had remained Nobly silent...

Call it what you will: enlightenment, realization, awakening, illumination, profound maturity, sageness, bliss . . . noble and empowering . . . brilliant and humble . . . courageous and practical . . . the 'stuff' of poetry.   Cultivating the enlightening mind is, for those who venture in its direction with diligence and authenticity, an adventurous journey on the path toward that which is most pr...

We often cannot change our external environment. We certainly cannot change many (or most) of the people we encounter. But Mindfulness practice can lead us to clearly 'see' -- and help us to genuinely understand -- what is happening in the present moment (i.e., as it is happening) rather than being confused and/or lost in our thoughts, opinions and reactions. Through experiential mindfulness, we c...

From a divine 17th century French Canadian cathedral . . .  to a young couple presenting Medicine Buddha-oriented offerings in the midst of northern Colorado's 'Rawah Wilderness' -- a tale of bountiful faith and practice touching distant times and realms. (Length: 14 minutes) Written and shared here by Mark Winwood of the Chenrezig Project ( mwinwood@gmail.com ), with musical accompaniment by San...

"Tonglen" is a Tibetan term that implies 'exchanging oneself with others’. It refers to a meditation practice found in Himalayan/Mahayana Buddhism which allows the awakening of genuine compassion. "Tong" translates as 'giving or sending', and "len" as 'receiving or taking.' Tonglen practice is experiential; it gradually wears away our habitually obsessive grasping at a false sense of self (e.g., s...

For your contemplation: Appreciative thoughts and kindness-empowering visualizations are shared in this gentle meditation. As the River flows . . .  May all beings be happy -- May all beings be safe -- May all beings be well -- May all beings be peaceful and at ease. Sit comfortably, focus, center . . . approach and enter your meditative mind.  Or simply listen.  (Length: 28 minutes) Written and s...

It is auspicious awareness for Dharma practitioners to remain mindful of how each of our lifetime's event/moments present opportunities for empowering wisdom to arise and abide. Then, as insights blossom, long-held perspectives and self-oriented attitudes, no longer useful or relevant, may transform in vastly unexpected ways. Consider: the flourishing of these insights -- and how we engage with th...

The inherently potent merging of Tibetan Buddhism-supported mind states, in concert with the vibrational qualities of Sanskrit sounds and syllables, provides a direct, enriching stimulus to the energies -- and results -- of our Dharma practice. This has been understood and experienced by practitioners for centuries, who will recite teachings and prayers in their own Tibetan language but have prese...

Everything is changing, advancing . . . collectively and individually . . . moment-by-moment. Until instinctive insights begin to manifest, reactions to impermanence set many of our challenges into motion, swirling into what Siddhartha termed afflictive mind-states (aka kleshas) of "dukkha" – ignorance-sourced confusions and complications leading to insecurity,  discontent, stress, anxiety . . . c...

The legendary Lao Tzu was living and teaching a harmonious way of being -- simple, modest and true -- traveling throughout China centuries before Siddhartha's birth. Upon achieving enlightenment, Siddhartha Buddha refined, deepened and shared similar ways to all who were inclined to listen. Then, after his death, these teachings were assembled and gradually morphed into what we today know as Buddh...