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[…] before. It renders obsolete traditional teachers, retreats and a whole host of associated practices, rituals, obligations and structures. It brings back the practice of daily silence and prayer, though outside the domain of any religious structure. The reversal it sets up is that widespread mindfulness practice requires that a simulacrum of mindfulness be developed […]
Article
[…] the noble Sangha. I take refuge in all who possess the eye of pristine awareness, the assembly of dakas, dakinis, protectors and guardians of the Dharma. Refuge prayer composed by Atisha and used in all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism Until I awaken, I take refuge in The Buddha, Dharma, and the Supreme Assembly. Through the […]
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[…] that opened, he gently intoned, Mes frères, prions. (“Let us pray, my brothers.”) Straight out of a Catholic monastery! It was an amusing and simple reminder that prayer was and is an essential part of contemplative practice, regardless of tradition. Every meditation we practiced involved prayers—prayers to the lineage, prayers of refuge, prayers for […]
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[…] The spiritual path has many challenges. There are many things we need to learn or develop. A short list would probably include motivation, skills in meditation and prayer, contemplation, etc. Like music and painting, most of us learn spiritual practice better with someone, rather, than, for instance, by reading a book. When we interact […]
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[…] act of praying made a difference. It brought a little clarity and a little space into my confusion, and I found a way to continue. By making prayer a part of my daily practice, I discovered a new possibility: faith, a quiet source of strength that became vitally important to me in the years […]
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[…] energy (and, consequently, higher levels of attention) you are aware of patterns of emotional reaction that you couldn’t touch before. In the story of Milarepa, through his prayer and devotion to Marpa, the energy in his attention moved to a higher level, he had a spiritual opening (the vision), and then, he had to […]
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[…] devotion before, in the form of guru yoga, or union with the teacher. It’s a powerful practice, greatly valued in the Tibetan tradition, where there are numerous prayers with titles such as “Devotion Pierces the Heart.” The teacher at this retreat exemplified this. He felt such devotion for his own teacher that he could […]
