In the moment when we are born, we do not immediately leap to our feet and run. It takes months of awareness, instruction, and physical and mental growth before we are ready to take our first steps. It is a similar process while walking our spiritual path toward Nirvana. According to the texts of Theravada Buddhism, Buddha recognized four distinct levels of realization we will go through before we reach Nirvana. Each of these levels
Siddhartha lived his early years protected from pain, a life manufactured and padded by his wealthy father. But Buddha realized that, no matter how protected he was by those high palace walls, he would never be free from the one thing that unites us, poor or privileged: our human suffering.
Bhutan is the last of the Vajrayana Buddhist countries preserving its rare and unique history and culture. We get to feel for how Buddhism, and in particular Vajrayana, permeates and is practiced in one of its native cultures.
Tibetan Buddhism for Beginners What exactly is Tibetan Buddhism? As the Buddha’s teachings spread globally, and, as many of us seek to practice in the west, this question grows. It is why you are here, at present, on this page, no? Perhaps your initial encounter with Tibetan Buddhism was while reading the wonderful teachings of the Dalai Lama and now you're hoping to learn more. Maybe you've dabbled in meditation and feel eager to translate
Do holidays bring as much stress as joy? Here are four simple steps to managing holiday overload when it starts to create worry and anxiety, during the holidays or any time.
THE NIGHT BEFORE my mother died, I was in a bit of a panic. I knew the end was near and I was uncertain about how to navigate this part of my mom's journey. It was May 27, 2017 and I had been...
Jane Brunette has taught meditation and writing internationally, and has been practicing Tibetan Buddhism for many years. She offers the following guide to using writing as a spiritual practice. Jane will be leading a writing daylong on September 30th at Sukhasiddhi. WRITING can be a powerful spiritual practice, helping us to integrate our active mind with the mind of meditation. By using it as a process of inquiry, it can also help us
In October of 2013, Lama Palden traveled to India and then led a group on pilgrimage to Bhutan. In the article below, she vividly describes some of the highlights of the trip. LAMA PALDEN: A number of us from the Sukhasiddhi community recently returned from a pilgrimage to Bhutan, where we were welcomed with katas and loving kindness by Benchen Khenpo Rinpoche, his wife Rigzen and Lama Sonam -- a student
