Be Relaxed and Stay Open
When I was seventeen years old, I was on a retreat for the preliminary practices of the Great Perfectioncalled Dzogchen in Tibetanunder the guidance of Khenpo Tsewang Jigme. Both excited and nervous, I meditated in my small room day and night without sleep. Initially, it went wel…
The First Step of Buddhist Practice
Why does spiritual practice fail to change our lives consistently? Why do those means and methods that have successfully transformed many peoples destinies and enabled them to attain freedom and enlightenment never take effect on us? The answer probably lies in our excessive clin…
Bodhichitta in Aspiration and Action
With a mind supported by the four boundless qualities, we wish all sentient beings to attain complete enlightenment, to be happy and free of suffering. This altruistic wish is called bodhichitta in aspiration. We can aspire to attain enlightenment ourselves first before helping o…
Be Gentle to Yourself
Buddhists are people who have resolved to be with themselves on a more intimate level. This means two things: to be mindful of ones own actions and thoughts, and to be gentle to oneself. Vigilant mindfulness allows us to see our own narrowness, apathy, and confusion. We may think…
Becoming Realized
In 1987, on the eastern plateau of Chinas Mount Wutai, my root teacher His Holiness Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche revealed the mind treasure Meditation on Manjushri to Attain Dzogchen . Shortly after his return, His Holiness began to transmit this precious teaching at the Larung Buddhi…
