Site Archives Notes from Teachings

The gods are said to live lives of fabulous luxury


The gods are said to live lives of fabulous luxury, reveling in every conceivable pleasure, without a thought for the spiritual dimension of life. All seems to go well until death draws near, and unexpected signs of decay appear. Then... ...>

Listening is a far more difficult process than most people imagine


Listening is a far more difficult process than most people imagine. Really to listen in the way that is meant by the masters is to let go utterly of ourselves, to let go of all the information, all the concepts,... ...>

If you were to draw one essential message from the fact of reincarnation


If you were to draw one essential message from the fact of reincarnation, it would be: Develop a good heart that longs for other beings to find lasting happiness, and acts to secure that happiness. Nourish and practice kindness. The... ...>

When I discovered reincarnation…


I adopted the theory of reincarnation when I was twenty-six. Religion offered nothing to the point. Even work could not give me complete satisfaction. Work is futile if we cannot utilize the experience we collect in one life in the... ...>

At present, our body is undoubtedly the center of our whole universe.


At present, our body is undoubtedly the center of our whole universe. We associate it, without thinking, with our self and our ego, and this thoughtless and false association continually reinforces our illusion of their inseparable, concrete existence. Because our... ...>

After meditation


After meditation, it’s important not to give in to our tendency to solidify the way we perceive things. When you do re-enter everyday life, let the wisdom, insight, compassion, humor, fluidity, spaciousness, and detachment that meditation brought you pervade your... ...>

Don’t be in too much of a hurry to solve all your doubts and problems.


Don’t be in too much of a hurry to solve all your doubts and problems. As the masters say: “Make haste slowly.” I always tell my students not to have unreasonable expectations, because it takes time for spiritual growth. It... ...>

Ego plays brilliantly on our fundamental fear of losing control, and of the unknown.


Ego plays brilliantly on our fundamental fear of losing control, and of the unknown. We might say to ourselves: “I should really let go of ego, I’m in such pain; but if I do, what’s going to happen to me?”... ...>

If all we know of mind…


If all we know of mind is the aspect of mind that dissolves when we die, we will be left with no idea of what continues, no knowledge of the new dimension of the deeper reality of the nature of... ...>

We need to


Above all else, we need to nourish our true self - what we can call our buddha nature - for so often we make the fatal mistake of identifying with our confusion, and then using it to judge and condemn... ...>