Balance

In this article, Andrea Sherman shows how commitment to the paramita (perfection) of patience can be an antidote to anger and frustration when we care for those with dementia.

During these stressful times, Tibetan Medicine may offer us some tools for bringing our body and mind into balance. Our sangha member and Dakini Doctor, Dr. Tawni Tidwell presented a video program at the Rubin Museum of Art in NYC in conjunction with the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in April 2020.Tawni shares very simple and practical practices that we can immediately implement into our daily routines. In these short videos, she gives us tools that are easy to follow and help us refresh our bodies and mind.

Tawni Tidwell shares some wisdom from the Tibetan Medicine tradition in cultivating balance during the winter months.

“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?

Tibetan medicine calls for specific seasonal behavior.  The seasons can be divided either by equinox and solstice, the four seasons as we do in the West or into six seasons: Early Winter (November & December), Late Winter (January & February), Spring (March & April), Early Summer (May & June), Late Summer (Monsoon in some places) (July & August), and Autumn (September & October).  The seasons are then described according to what is happening in the climate and the environment. Certain behaviors are recommended for each of the seasons.

What does it mean to rest? As a working mother of two young children learns how to integrate practice into her daily life, she also discovers the importance of this simple act.

Buddhist parents sometimes ask how best to apply the teachings when relating in their family life. In this short audio teaching, Phakchok Rinpoche shares some practical advice for Buddhist parents.

In this video instruction, Phakchok Rinpoche responds to a student’s question about thoughts arising during four foundations practice sessions. Rinpoche advises the student to look at the thought as it arises: look at the thought and then rest. Always try to be gentle with yourself.

When we interact with our partners, our parents, our children, and our extended family, we should always switch our perspective back and forth between ourselves and others. This helps us maintain a balance. This sense of balance reduces the likelihood that we harm others too much.

How do we skillfully share our understanding and our practice? Phakchok Rinpoche here shares some suggestions after years of working with students from many cultures.