Buddhist Philosophy

Meditation Training With Focus

“Meditation training with focus” takes many forms. As we begin to build a habit of mindfulness, we can use one or more of these techniques. For example, in a meditation session or sometime in our day, we may focus our attention lightly on a sound. How so? We simply rest our mind on the sound of our choice. Then, when we notice that our mind has wandered away, we gently guide it back to the sound. That’s all there is to it–bringing our mind back to the object of focus again and again. We call that process “mindfulness”. In this video teaching, Tulku Migmar Tsering advises us on how we can use meditation training with focus to cultivate a habit of mindfulness.

Buddhist Philosophy

Cultivating New Habits for Busy Minds

When we hear the word “meditation” we may think that we can’t keep still for an hour and be calm.  But, as Tulku Migmar as explains here, the point of meditation is the process itself.   When we meditate we are cultivating new habits bit by bit in short periods. 

Buddhist Philosophy

Mental Maintenance Creates Stability

“Mental Maintenance” means working with our own minds. Anxiety, depression, and stress can affect anybody.  First, we need to take care of our actual physical needs, but then we also should care for our minds.  Mental maintenance signifies stability.  So first, it is good to investigate our own minds.  Are they stable?  Are we in control of our minds?

Buddhist Philosophy

Bell and Dorje: Understanding Ritual Objects

In the Vajrayana context, practitioners utilize the bell and dorje as important symbolic ritual items. At the outer level, these two implements represent the indivisibility of means (vajra) and the wisdom recognizing emptiness (bell).

Defining Dharma
Buddhist Philosophy

Defining “Dharma”: Method and Wisdom

We have a lot of negative emotions, don’t we? And traditionally, Buddhist teachers explain that the antidote for our negative emotions is the application of the Dharma. Defining what we means by Dharma thus becomes crucial. Implementing, or putting into practice, the Dharma is what the Buddha did. Put most simply, Dharma is method and wisdom. Application of these two is what the Buddha experienced.

Perception
Buddhist Philosophy

Perception: Understanding Its Power

Perception has power and it can be surprisingly strong. Normally, perception and habits work together to create a mistaken view of our world.Perception always comes from first not knowing. Perception is the mind’s expression or its reflection. It does not exist out there somewhere in the world.

Buddhist Philosophy

Defining Dharma

Defining Dharma is an important place to begin. First, we must know about Dharma and then about meditation. Dharma means the transformation of our mind.

Sādhana Practice
Buddhist Philosophy

Managing Sadhana Practice Skillfully

Managing sadhana practice is a big issue for many students. We may have received a number of empowerments and practices. We then may become confused.

habit
Buddhist Philosophy

A Habit of Meditation Practice!

How can we make meditation practice a habit? We need to encourage ourselves. Many of us have good intentions, but our lives are very busy.

Good practitioner
Buddhist Philosophy

What is a Good Practitioner?

What is a good practitioner? What are the signs? How can I check my meditation practice? We may wonder if our meditation is going well. Here Tulku Migmar explains that it is easy to recognize a good practitioner…

Brain-jam
Buddhist Philosophy

Clear “Brain-Jam” with Meditation

Why begin your day with meditation? It is the best antidote for “brain-jam.” Tulku Migmar Tsering is known for giving very practical advice…

habit
Buddhist Philosophy

Training the Mind: Small Steps in Mindfulness

What do we really mean when we speak of mind training? It can sound very complicated and too much for us to handle, but we have to understand how to begin.