I’ve been reflecting back quite a bit recently about my journey, and how I’ve taken many approaches at different times – I believe because they’ve each been appropriate at the time. I don’t know if I’ve ever had a ‘one size fits all’ type attitude when it comes to whatever this strange thing that we […]
A Dzogchen Guide to Buddhist Yanas Read Post »
I began this post a couple of months ago and wasn’t able to finish it. I thought I’d just publish what was there, as the teaching from Khakhyab Dorje is extraordinarily rich … Last night I dreamt of the 15th Karmapa, Khakhyab Dorje, so thought sharing ‘Melody of Buzzing Bees’ would be auspicious. Just a
Reflection on Khakhyab Dorje – Melody of Buzzing Bees Read Post »
Bestower of uncontaminated, coemergent bliss;Radiant with the full splendor of sixteen-year-old youth;Leader of every assembly of dakinis in the three locationsVenerable Accomplishment of Bliss [Sukhasiddhi], to you I pray. You manifested in a pauper’s home in KashmirAnd trained in realization on the path.Having completed the force of faith and great compassion,You diligently gave gifts without
The Melody of Great Bliss : A Supplication to the Wisdom Dakini Sukhasiddhi Read Post »
I thought I’d therefore share some further reflections on Gampopa’s threefold classification of Compassion (from The Jewel Ornament of Liberation). Compassion with reference to Sentient beings Gampopa’s first category – ‘Compassion with reference to Sentient beings’ is simply the desire to help beings when we see that they are suffering. However, due to our level
Deepening Compassion Read Post »
In a sense, what distinguishes the three types of Compassion that Gampopa sets out in ‘Jewel Ornament of Liberation’ is the development and level of our Compassion and our Wisdom. With the first, Compassion with reference to Sentient Beings, we see beings suffering, and we feel a response to that suffering which is our compassion.
I thought I’d just share this teaching from Pema Chodron on one of the slogans of the 7 Point Mind Training. This one cuts really deep for me, and has had a profound influence on my practice. It’s such an interesting area … this tension between trying to get somewhere (other than where we are
Abandon any Hope of Fruition Read Post »
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 »
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 »
I came across this the other day .. what a delight! Taking everything onto the path … nothing is outside of the path, nothing is essentially problematic …. all is the path, all is mind, all is same taste …. Namo Ratna Guru ! When thoughts that there is something perceived and a perceiverLure my
Gotsampa – Seven Delights: A Song About Taking Difficult Circumstances to the Path Read Post »
I’d like to just name-check ‘Blogmandu’, who’ve kindly nominated Luminous Emptiness in the ‘Best Kind and Compassionate Blog’ category of their 2005 awards for Buddhist blogging. Blogisattva awards (no longer available) The list of nominees is a wonderful resource for Buddhist orientated blogs … and a great starting point for finding insightful and thoughtful posts
Blogisattva Award Nominations Read Post »
