8-2 Maintain Mindfulness During Experiences
Remember what Dudjom Rinpoche said to me when I was in the middle of a very powerful experience: “Don't get too excited. In the end, it's neither good nor bad.” When you experience some extraordinary states, such as seeing the radiant Buddha or an image of the Buddha, or even receiving empowerment and blessings, you […]
8-1 Maintain Mindfulness During Experiences
As you continue to practice (meditation), you may have all kinds of experiences, both good and bad. As you continue to practice meditation, the most noticeable aspect is during dreams. As your meditation practice deepens, you will encounter various states in your dreams. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voC4dNtjPWg&list=PLG59GFmZzsi6y0rppKahVNKdTocWEQizP&index=18&t=18s&pp=gAQBiAQB Just as a room with many doors and windows allows the […]
7-7 Only When There Is No More Distracting Thought Will Ignorance Appear
As mentioned earlier, thoughts can be divided into coarse thoughts, subtle thoughts, and subtler attachments. After coarse wandering thoughts disappear, you may think there are no more thoughts. However, if you calm your mind further, you will discover subtler thoughts and mental distractions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va9hsLKcasM&list=PLG59GFmZzsi6y0rppKahVNKdTocWEQizP&index=8&pp=gAQBiAQB By penetrating layer by layer, as you progress to a state […]
7-6 Objectively View Our Thoughts and Emotions
Because your mind is not yet like the ocean; you are just a boat. As beginners, we need to stay away from challenging circumstances and protect ourselves with precepts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVwqqrRVwug&list=PLG59GFmZzsi6y0rppKahVNKdTocWEQizP&index=7&pp=gAQBiAQB Then during meditation, we need to be mindful and meditate on no-self in person and no-self in phenomena, to deal with afflictive obscurations and cognitive […]
7-5 The Essence of Thoughts and Emotions is the Radiance of Our Mind
The thoughts and emotions of ordinary beings are also the radiance and expression of the very nature of the mind, although mixed with ignorance, karma, and afflictions. Whatever arises, don't see it as a particular problem and don't worry. If you don't impulsively react (don't care about it), if you are only patient, it will […]
7-4 True Emptiness & Wondrous Existence: Ocean & Waves
Beginners may think that when they meditate, there should be no thoughts and emotions at all; and when thoughts and emotions do arise, they become annoyed and think they have failed. However, this is not the case. As long as you have a mind, there will be thoughts and emotions. Just as the ocean has […]
7-3 How Thoughts Change During Meditation
In the ordinary mind, we perceive the stream of thoughts as continuous; but in reality this is not the case. We will discover for ourselves that there is a gap between each thought. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtFxeYTCgcA&list=PLG59GFmZzsi6y0rppKahVNKdTocWEQizP&index=9&pp=gAQBiAQB When our awareness is strong, we can notice these gaps, and as a result, the thoughts also slow down. When the […]
7-2 Look at Where Thoughts Arise
When we begin to meditate, even in the midst of all the confusion (which means scattered thoughts), we should focus our attention on the breath or a mantra. Beginners can practice mindful breathing or chanting mantras to bring your mind back. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ycyTXarPsU&list=PLG59GFmZzsi6y0rppKahVNKdTocWEQizP&index=6&pp=gAQBiAQB If you can mindfully observe, you can focus your attention on where the […]
7-1 Maintain Our Awareness During Meditation
Today, we will continue to talk about thoughts and emotions. When people begin to meditate, they often say that their thoughts are running riot and have become wilder than ever before. But I reassure them that this is a good sign. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EB_HoZdJnw&list=PLG59GFmZzsi6y0rppKahVNKdTocWEQizP&index=15&pp=gAQBiAQB Far from meaning that your thoughts have become wilder, it shows that you […]
6 A Delicate Balance
In meditation, as in all arts, there has to be a delicate balance between relaxation and alertness. Once a monk called Shrona was studying meditation with one of the Buddha's closest disciples. He had difficulty finding the right frame of mind. He tried very hard to concentrate, and gave himself a headache. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXz7sFOs3rk&list=PLG59GFmZzsi6y0rppKahVNKdTocWEQizP&index=14&pp=gAQBiAQB0gcJCQwKAYcqIYzv Then he […]