Happiness

Aspiring from Within: The Power of Your Intentions

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The practice of conscious intentions is not just a method of contemplation but a real means to influence our perceptions, emotions, thoughts and experiences. Intentions train our mind, and direct our experiences. Intentions have two aspects: the cognitive aspect of wanting to cultivate something, and the intentional actions themselves. These actions resonate directly with the held intention. Therefore, you will witness your intention within the resulting action and experience. We begin with a higher wish to cultivate a quality such as compassion, creativity, or dialogue. This wish is an internal one created through an intention such as: I maintain the spirit … Continue reading →

Your Lasting Freedom & Happiness

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This fifth “lesson before the lesson” completes the introductory teachings from Nagarjuna, Letters to a Friend, Verse 14 (see past blogs) by Geshe L. Sopa. On Monday I offer the 2nd teaching on Creating the Causes and Conditions of True and Lasting Happiness, a lesson taken from Shantideva, Bodhicaryavatara (chapter 4, verse 18). (My translation of Geshe-la’s words continue to be in blue). My commentary and spiritual writing prompts follow the lesson.  You don’t need spiritual teachings to help you be temporarily happy in this lifetime. For such temporary happiness you don’t need to study or practice the Dharma. If you are hungry, you know … Continue reading →

Ajatashutru’s Freedom from Anger and Attachment

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This is the fifth piece in the Venerable Geshe Lhundup Sopa’s introductory teachings, the “lessons before the lessons.” Commentary and spiritual writing prompts follow his lesson. Ajatashutru, who was a cousin of the Buddha, was under the influence of very strong attachment. This story is a good example because it shows us how even a relative of the Buddha can be under the influence of a strong mental delusion. He began to compete with the Buddha for recognition. In this story Ajatashutru met up with a companion in evil, Devadatta, who ignited more aggression and more anger in him, until he … Continue reading →

A Skeptic Awakening at the Foot of One Sage

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I consider myself a willing skeptic at the feet of many sages and yoginis. I am willing to explore and to reach for meaning while being given spiritual instruction. During various teachings, rituals and empowerments that I attended over the years at Deer Park in Oregon Wisconsin, I was deeply inspired by the Venerable Geshe Lhundub Sopa’s introductory teachings. I admit that these “lessons before the lessons” often held more meaning for me than the primary teachings. I was able then, and now, to use these teachings in a more practiced way, integrating them into my daily life. After hearing … Continue reading →

The Greatest Experience

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Staying true to a message of living meaningfully by bringing together the creative, spiritual and communal selves can be a challenge. The word “spiritual” works like a spell, casting assumptions and questions over people. People often assume when I say “spiritual” I mean religious. I do not. There are times I want to forfeit the word “spiritual” and exchange it for something more universally user-friendly. Then, any other mystical word invites similar responses. Transcendental? Divine? Metaphysical? Sacred? Should I go more secular in my efforts to express my enthusiasm in living a creatively meaningful life? — Secular humanist perhaps? How … Continue reading →

Six Signs of Suffering

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  “As long as we live in the misperception of being a separate entity, we encounter frustration, confusion, difficulties and turmoil.” –Ken McLeod, Wake Up to Your Life All of our suffering can be linked to the illusion of separation that we experience on a personal level. Every separation we “see” in the outside originates in some inner belief of separation. Although this original belief took root from some life experience (a narcissist parent, a trauma, a lack of intimacy or bonding as a child, abuse, neglect, etc.,) it has now become part of our inner landscape. When our history teaches … Continue reading →

Making A Difference

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Many who want to make a difference often don’t get beyond their desire to make a difference. There tends to be a gap between what people say they want to do and what they actually accomplish. It’s in their hearts to benefit others but they get lost somewhere in the gap. Fortunately, to make a difference we need only keep it simple and natural. Evidence (and our basic intuition) points to how these three simple actions can provide us ways to make a difference––When we have clarity about what we want to be involved in, when we engage with others and with our natural … Continue reading →

Perseverance with an attitude.

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Every kind of manifestation relies on our sticking with it, with our finishing what we started. Through our perseverance we achieve creative and spiritual states we would otherwise not experience. In fact, a lack of joyful effort, of sticking with “it” results in suffering and unhappiness. Our perseverance is all we have in the face of distractions, resistance and disappointment. Evidence points to perseverance being central to feelings of lasting satisfaction. Those who persevere with their commitments are happier and more satisfied, and more financially sound. When we are not joyfully participating in our creative and spiritual life, we are likely under … Continue reading →