Tonglen is part of the ancient compassion practice tool box of Seven Points of Mind Training. In this meditation, you're guided in Tonglen for yourself, at every stage of being, from pre-birth, though life, death and afterlife. Follow the instructions as you hear them and learn in real time where you are self-compassionate and where it does not yet…

We can do Tonglen for someone who is dying if we are with them, or not. We can do Tonglen for people who have died at another time. whether we were there or not. Tonglen may be done for people we know, and complete strangers. Of course it can be done for animals, as well.By Lama Lekshe

These are indeed difficult times and not the first and not the last. As practitioners, we have to find balance in chaos, or at least enough steadiness and equanimity to move forward to awakening and to ease the suffering of the world. In the midst of everything--is everything. In the midst of the worst times of darkness are light and wholeness. We …

The writer, Annie Dillard, in her book, The Writing Life, said “The life of sensation is the life of greed; it requires more and more. The life of the spirit requires less and less; time is ample and its passage sweet.” In this episode we explore the life of less and less, which as it turns out, is the life of more and more in the most delightful w…

As practitioners, what is inclusivity? What is integration? How are these principles and practices entwined with truth and dharma?By Lama Lekshe

Tonglen is a profound yet accessible practice in Tibetan Buddhism—an act of taking in suffering and sending out goodness. In a traditional tonglen session which is done in stages, we begin with ourselves, and progress to a loved one, a neutral person, a difficult person, and finally, all beings. But many people have difficulty in the stage of tongl…

This episode was originally published on April 28, 2020. Everything you need to awaken is right here, right now. It's your life. Will you live it? Dekeling, in Tibetan, means 'a place of happiness'. Our offering is to support for your dharma practice & your life in an accessible, inclusive way. All are welcome. All are very welcome. https://www.dek…

This simple meditation can help you calm and stay present in experience. No bells, no liturgy, just simple bare-bones mind on the breath meditation.By Lama Lekshe

In this classic Buddhist meditation, we use the experiential metaphor of sitting like a mountain to help accomplish stability, stillness, and groundedness in the midst of change, busyness, and all the 'weather' of life.By Lama Lekshe

In this episode Lama Lekshe talks about sage advice from other practitioners and her own journey to discover the possibility of resting...all the time.By Lama Lekshe

Using the metaphor of snowfall, experience absorbing the wellbeing that is always available, no matter the circumstances. Care for yourself and all beings as you share the experience with a larger group of beings in each stage of in the classic way of 'dissolving the barriers.' This not only sets the stage for cultivation of compassion for yourself…

Challenging times can be the best times to practice. Suffering is compelling, so you might find that resting awareness on your experience is easier than when things are going well. This episode has a longish riff on how to find a teacher and how you know when you've met a true teacher.By Lama Lekshe

This is a brief guided meditation on the stages of dying or 'bardos.' In Buddhism, the term 'bardo' typically refers to the intermediate state between death and rebirth; though it can refer to any transition. The most well-known and elaborated upon teachings on the bardo come from texts like the Tibetan Book of the Dead (also known as the Bardo Tho…

Why would I experiment of holding a view if I am not sure it's true? This experiment can cause you to learn something beyond your current knowing—through direct experience. No belief is required. Just hold a new view, and see how it impacts your thoughts, speech and actions. If you like the effects, continue holding the view. If not, you can always…

You know those rumors you heard about Tibetan Buddhism? Listen and see if they are true. Any time we adopt a custom, philosophy or tradition from another culture, we're bound to misinterpret a few things. This talk unravels a few of the veils of misunderstanding surrounding Tibetan Buddhism, shedding light on misconceptions that sometimes obscure i…

The mindful recitation of Seven-Branch Prayer, which is often done inside another practice—like Green Tara, for example— epitomizes all the practices of gathering the accumulations as well as the purification of harmful deeds, thoughts, or speech and also of obscurations. All the major points of practice are present in the Seven Branches. Each of t…

Step into a space of introspection and compassionate inquiry as you embark on a contemplative journey through the landscape of global conflict. If you are an experienced practitioner of Tonglen, you already understand its profound power to use suffering as a springboard for compassion; to allow fear to be a foundation for courage, and for contempla…

As we journey through life, our paths often intertwine with those of animals, who become companions on our journey. Their presence enriches our lives, offering us love, loyalty, and a profound connection to the natural world. In their eyes, we see reflections of ourselves, reminding us that their lives and deaths are no less significant than our ow…

Counting the breath meditation involves a deliberate and focused observation of the breath. The practitioner assumes a comfortable posture conducive to alertness and relaxation. With eyes either gently closed or slightly open, attention is drawn inward to the sensation of breathing. As the breath flows naturally, the practitioner directs their awar…

In Tibetan Buddhism, the term "bardo" refers to the intermediate states between death and rebirth. The most well-known bardo is the "Bardo Thodol" or the "Tibetan Book of the Dead," which describes the experiences one goes through during the intermediate state after death. According to Tibetan Buddhist belief, how one navigates these bardos greatly…

In Buddhism, the concept of the 'unbounded view' typically refers to the perception of reality that transcends narrow, limited perspectives. It involves seeing the interconnectedness and interdependence of all phenomena, understanding the impermanent and ever-changing nature of existence, and recognizing the absence of inherent self or essence in t…

The choice between practicing Mahayana or Vajrayana Buddhism is deeply personal and depends on individual inclinations, aspirations, and circumstances. Mahayana Buddhism emphasizes the cultivation of compassion and the aspiration to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings, while Vajrayana Buddhism offers advanced teachings and p…

In Buddhism, "tendrel" (Tibetan: རྟེན་འབྲེལ་) refers to the concept of interdependence or interconnectedness. It is closely related to the Buddhist principle of dependent origination (pratītyasamutpāda), which teaches that all phenomena arise in dependence upon causes and conditions. The term "tendrel" is commonly used in Tibetan Buddhism, where it…

Compassion is the wish that the suffering of others be relieved. It's also the wish that the causes of that suffering be dispelled. When learning compassion practices, people sometimes express fear. What are we afraid of? Vulnerability, fear of boundaries dissolving, fear of overwhelm, inadequacy; there are so many places we could find resistance t…

In Buddhism, one of the greatest generosities is to remove fear and the causes of fear for other beings. How can we practice generosity by offering fearlessness to others? What does fearlessness look like? To alleviate suffering brought about by fear, to promote safety and security, to empower and liberate others—or at least not to oppress them, is…

In this episode I am remembering and sharing memories of my own American dharma teacher's teachings and teaching style. Even thinking about it now inspires my practice and my own teaching. He was humble and remarkably simple in his delivery—but years later I realize how much truth was in every sentence. You can listen to some of the teachings he ga…

A meditation in the Five Elements. Jogen Sensei is a Zen Priest, as well as a facilitator. You can further explore his facilitation and teachings at solisluna.org The music for this episode is “Starlight” - by Podington Bear of Portland, Oregon - Thanks to composer Chad Crouch. Support Chad here.By Jogen Sensei

The body scan is an effective way to begin or nurture a meditation practice. It helps establish mindfulness. The purpose is to tune in to your body—to connect to the direct experience of the physical body—and to notice all sensations without judgement or commentary. Many people find the body scan relaxing. This makes it pleasant to do, so it's one …

Doubt is one of the five hindrances. Doubt is also an essential element of practice. In this episode we look at the different kinds of doubt and how to navigate each. We also learn from the Buddha's teachings on the Kalama Sutra about how to know which teachings are true. The music for this episode is “Starlight” - by Podington Bear of Portland, Or…

In this short podcast, Lama Lekshe talks about how to discover 'indestructible' ease and joy. This is a 'pocket practice'. You CAN take it with you--dozens of times each day. The music for this episode is “Starlight” - by Podington Bear of Portland, Oregon - Thanks to composer Chad Crouch. Support Chad here.…

In Buddhism, Avalokitesvara bodhisattva is regarded as the embodiment of compassion. The Tibetans call this embodiment Chenrezig—the ‘one who watches with a steady gaze.’ To do this practice, take refuge in the Three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Recognize the universal wish of sentient beings to be from suffering and its causes—while imprison…

Celebrating Saka Dawa Duchen while in Isolation Saka Dawa Duchen is on June 5th in 2020 In the Tibetan tradition, Saka Dawa is a month of celebration of the birth, enlightenment and passing [Skt. Parinirvana] of the Buddha Shakyamuni. Dawa means ‘month’ in Tibetan. The term Saka comes from Tibetan astrology—the Saka star is associated with the full…

In order to be able to stay present in the experience of suffering, we have to able to rest there. Bringing awareness to the suffering of ourselves and others is a very loving thing to do. It also strengthens endurance in times of suffering. In the process of doing this, we can discover that pain and suffering are not the same. Practicing this simp…

Death comes. Then what? Death is inevitable, so knowing how to integrate it is necessary, but what we might not know is that inside death are a number of beautiful teachings on life. The music for this episode is “Starlight” - by Podington Bear of Portland, Oregon - Thanks to composer Chad Crouch. Support Chad here.…

Live in joy, in love, Even among those who hate. Live in joy, in health. Even among the afflicted. Live in joy, in peace, Even among the troubled. Look within. Be still. Free from fear and attachment, Know the sweet joy of the way. —The Buddha, from the Dhammapada When things pile up and when we get overwhelmed, it’s easy to leave our natural state…

In challenging times, how do you cultivate more joy? If you're suffering, one way is to suffer better. Who knew? Hear this and three other ways to increase joy. All of these practices can be used any time, any place. Buddhism has so many tools for waking up to the life you have, regardless of circumstances. The music for this episode is “Starlight”…