Second slogan of the 7 Point Mind Training. What is this teaching pointing at? Well, just like the previous slogan it emphasises the ultimate aspect of mind. Previously we were enjoined to examine the nature of appearances. What is the nature of what we experience, of all the phenomena which appear to our ‘minds eye’? […]
Examine the Nature of the Unborn Mind Read Post »
‘Regard all dharmas as dreams’. This is the first slogan of the second section of the ‘Seven Points of Mind Training’. It’s the first of the slogans which emphasise the ultimate quality of Bodhicitta – that of Emptiness. I’ve been bringing this to mind the last few days. I remember many years ago, when first
Regard all Phenomena as Dreams Read Post »
From a post to a Dharma List: Is desire the same as attachment? Most translations of Buddhist terms will use craving or attachment interchangeably. They both are used for when we take an object and exaggerate the positive qualities of that object, and as a result, we feel a neurotic desire to have or possess
Use the Blade to Cut the Blade Read Post »
I was reflection on the notion that attachment or desire is not just for objects, but also for our sense of self. We are not only attached to things of the material world, (and also to thoughts and emotions), but also to our sense of who we are too. All of them we think of
Illusory Objects of Desire Read Post »
I was reflecting on covetousness, and the whole area of craving this morning. I was in particular wondering why my mind tends to focus in a particular way in relation to this. In a sense, it has a choice. It can either focus on what it has already got, or on what it is lacking
Covetousness – Craving Read Post »
His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Trinley Thaye Dorje is currently in Malaysia, and leading a variety of Pujas, Empowerments and other Dharma activities. I’m documenting what’s happening at the Kuala Lumpur centre, and trying to keep up with events as best I can by posting to the centre website:Karma Kagyu Dharma Society, Kuala Lumpur (now
His Holiness 17th Karmapa in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Read Post »
Is there anything more beautiful in this world of ours than a deep blue, almost clear sky, with traces of white puffy cloud? How indescribable is the depth of that ‘blueness’ …. seen in mind, in the present, with full awareness? Sky’s vast openness perfectly mirrors the nature of mind … open and unlimited, vivid
Today I’m practicing Sojong – the practicing for purifying and restoring broken vows. I’m joining many of the ‘Vision Group’ in Singapore, supporters of my Guru, Shangpa Rinpoche , who have been regularly practicing Sojong on significant days of the lunar calendar. The practice was supposed to have been instituted among the general population by
The Seven Steps of Practicing Sojong Read Post »
Yesterday morning as I was driving along a cat suddenly shot out from the woods and into the path of my car. In an instant my rear wheel hit the cat. In my rear mirror I could see it jumping around on the road, obviously in pain. The poor thing … what would I give
Suffering and Karma Read Post »
I was reflecting this morning on how much devotion images of the deity Prajnaparamita bring forth from me. Given that she is the deity who represents Wisdom, rather than Love, Compassion, Patience and so on …. how interesting that she inspires so much devotion in me. Pretty much every image I’ve ever seen of her
Devotion to Prajnaparamita Read Post »
