I started this blog so that people like me (whose inbox is overwhelmed anyway) could use RSS readers to benefit from the wonderful work that Carolyn Rose Gimian does to share Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche's wisdom in daily form. For me, reading these daily posts (I use Google's Reader) has become a reminder of all that comes from practice as well as a practice in and of itself.
But it turns out that for a while now, Shambhala Publications has been providing "Ocean of Dharma" content as a blog, including an RSS feed. Who knew!?
So I am discontinuing this blog and happily refer you to the Shambhala Publications version:
and associated RSS Feed:
With Metta to those who have benefited from this site and to all beings,
Kristin
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
[OceanofDharma] Ocean of Dharma: Harmony Brings Fearlessness
From: "Carolyn Gimian" <carolyn@shambhala.com>
Sent: October 20, 2009 10:09 AM
To: dharmaocean@lists.shambhala.com
Subject: Ocean of Dharma: Harmony Brings Fearlessness
Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week
October 20, 2009
HARMONY BRINGS FEARLESSNESS
The basis of neurosis, or even physical discomfort and pain, is mind and body not joining together. Sometimes the mind is miles away and the body is there. Or the body is miles away and the mind is there. The main point of meditation practice is learning to be a proper human being, which is known as being a warrior. When mind and body are joined together in your practice, then you are joining heaven and earth, and you can be a genuine warrior. This quality of harmony will bring fearlessness.
From "Joining Heaven and Earth," page 76, in SMILE AT FEAR: AWAKENING THE TRUE HEART OF BRAVERY, now available from Shambhala Publications.
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Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
TO SUBSCRIBE, unsubscribe, see the quotes online or read the Ocean of Dharma blog, visit the website at http://oceanofdharma.com
Friday, October 16, 2009
[OceanofDharma] Ocean of Dharma: Joining Body and Mind
Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week
October 16, 2009
JOINING BODY AND MIND
When mind and body are joined together properly, there is a sense of joining heaven and earth. This comes from the sitting practice of meditation, to begin with. We have to sit and slow down. The disicipline of meditation is both training the mind and training the body. In the discipline of meditation, we have both a constant posture of uprightness, which is the quality of body, and a means of relating with the greater depth of space, or experiencing great openness, which is working with your mind....When mind and body are synchronized in your life and practice, there is very little chance for neurosis of any kind to arise.
From "Joining Heaven and Earth," pages 75 to 76, in SMILE AT FEAR: AWAKENING THE TRUE HEART OF BRAVERY, now available from Shambhala Publications.
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Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
TO SUBSCRIBE, unsubscribe, see the quotes online or read the Ocean of Dharma blog, visit the website at http://oceanofdharma.com
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
[OceanofDharma] Ocean of Dharma: The Seed of Confidence
Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week
October 13, 2009
THE SEED OF CONFIDENCE
When we have a feeling that life is worhwhile and we are worthwhile, from that, a sense of softness or gentleness begins to develop. It is like watering the seeds in a garden. In this case, the gentleness that develops is like the moisture that helps a seed to grow so that the greenery will unfold and flowers will blossom. Then, beyond that, you develop confidence. The ordinary sense of confidence is confidence in something, which is conditional or qualified. But in this case, gentleness and softness give rise to an unconditional feeling that is awake, brilliant, and warm. When we have both moisture and warmth, we know that the plant will definitely grow. That confidence is the seed that we should share with the rest of the world.
From "Unconditional Confidence," page 94 in SMILE AT FEAR: AWAKENING THE TRUE HEART OF BRAVERY, now available from Shambhala Publications.
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Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
TO SUBSCRIBE, unsubscribe, see the quotes online or read the Ocean of Dharma blog, visit the website at http://oceanofdharma.com
Friday, October 9, 2009
[OceanofDharma] fw: Ocean of Dharma: Recognizing Goodness in Ourselves
Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week
October 9, 2009
RECOGNIZING GOODNESS IN OURSELVES
Our opinions and attitudes about ourselves are very important. We cannot ignore the slightest tendency to feel wretched, inadequate, or fundamentally distrustful of ourselves. Those feelings always show through. This doesn't mean that you are not allowed to think anything bad about yourself. However, there is another side to you that is an expression of goodness. That has to be recognized as well. Otherwise, without that nature of goodness, the human race wouldn't be here at all. We would have destroyed ourselves a long time ago.
From SMILE AT FEAR: AWAKENING THE TRUE HEART OF BRAVERY, now available from Shambhala Publications.
Order your copy at:
http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-1-59030-696-3.cfm
Ocean of Dharma now has 7,850 subscribers.
Please send comments to the list moderator, Carolyn Gimian, at carolyn@shambhala.com.
Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
TO SUBSCRIBE, unsubscribe, see the quotes online or read the Ocean of Dharma blog, visit the website at http://oceanofdharma.com
Sunday, October 4, 2009
[OceanofDharma] fw: Ocean of Dharma: Become the Breathing
Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week
October 4, 2009
BECOME THE BREATHING
The attitude toward the breath in meditation is to become the breathing. Try to identify completely rather than watching your breath or just observing the process of breathing. You are the breath; the breath is you. Breath is coming out of your nostrils, going out and dissolving into the atmosphere, into the space. You put a certain energy and effort toward your awareness of that. Then, as for in-breathing, should you try to deliberately draw things in? That's not recommended here. Just boycott your breath; boycott your concentration on the breath. As your breath goes out, let it dissolve. Just abandon it, boycott it.
From SMILE AT FEAR: AWAKENING THE TRUE HEART OF BRAVERY, coming in October from Shambhala Publications.
"The teachings presented in this book are transformational -- and especially relevant today, when so many of us are facing uncertainty and anxiety. Chogyam Trungpa shows us how to uncover our innate strength, confidence, and joy under any circumstances. I strongly recommend this book to all those seeking awakening and freedom." --Pema Chodron
Pre-Order your copy at:
http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-1-59030-696-3.cfm
Of interest to subscribers: Join Pema Chodron at Omega Institute when she presents teachings from SMILE AT FEAR, October 30 to November 1. Carolyn Gimian will present the meditation instruction for the weekend. Register at: http://eomega.org/omega/workshops/3ab29488839b6f302d06b9b8d693c80e/
Ocean of Dharma now has 7,830 subscribers.
Please send comments to the list moderator, Carolyn Gimian, at carolyn@shambhala.com.
Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
TO SUBSCRIBE, unsubscribe, see the quotes online or read the Ocean of Dharma blog, visit the website at http://oceanofdharma.com
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
[OceanofDharma] Ocean of Dharma: Cultivating Mindfulness
Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week
September 29, 2009
CULTIVATING MINDFULNESS
Cultivating mindfulness is the attitude that allows us to see ourselves and our world quite accurately and precisely. When we talk about attitude in this context, we are talking about developing the awareness of mind, which is precisely what mindfulness is. Awareness of mind means that you are fundamentally aware and that your mind is aware of yourself. In other words, you're aware that you're aware. You are not a machine; you are an individual person relating with what's happening around you. Mindfulness is developing this sense of being.
From "Meditation: Touch and Go," in SMILE AT FEAR: AWAKENING THE TRUE HEART OF BRAVERY. Coming in October from Shambhala Publications.
"Chogyam Trungpa's vision of fearlessness as honesty, joyfulness, sadness, and openness is inspiring and particularly relevant to our historical moment."-- Norman Fischer
Pre-Order your copy at:
http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-1-59030-696-3.cfm
Of interest to readers:
Join the Shambhala Sun magazine in San Francisco this weekend, October 2-4, for an "Urban Retreat" exploring the theme, Wisdom for Difficult Times: What the Buddhists Teach. The Shambhala Sun will be joined by eminent teachers Sylvia Boorstein, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, and Zoketsu Norman Fischer -- three great teachers from three major Buddhist traditions, teaching together for the first time. This special weekend will include talks, meditation sessions, questions, and discussion. For more, visit www.shambhalasun.com/urbanretreat
Ocean of Dharma now has 7,819 subscribers.
Please send comments to the list moderator, Carolyn Gimian, at carolyn@shambhala.com.
Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
TO SUBSCRIBE, unsubscribe, see the quotes online or read the Ocean of Dharma blog, visit the website at http://oceanofdharma.com
Saturday, September 26, 2009
[OceanofDharma] Ocean of Dharma: Open Your Parachute
Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week
September 26, 2009
OPEN YOUR PARACHUTE
The only way to relax with yourself is to open your heart. Then you have a chance to see who you are. This experience is like opening a parachute. When you jump out of an airplane and open the chute, you are there in the sky by yourself. Sometimes it is very frightening, but on the other hand, when you take this step, the whole situation, the whole journey, makes sense. You have to actually do it, and then you will understand.
From "Facing Yourself," in SMILE AT FEAR: AWAKENING THE TRUE HEART OF BRAVERY, coming in October from Shambhala Publications.
"The teachings presented in this book are transformational -- and especially relevant today, when so many of us are facing uncertainty and anxiety. Chogyam Trungpa shows us how to uncover our innate strength, confidence, and joy under any circumstances. I strongly recommend this book to all those seeking awakening and freedom." --Pema Chodron
Pre-Order your copy at:
http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-1-59030-696-3.cfm
Of interest to subscribers: Join Pema Chodron at Omega Institute when she presents teachings from SMILE AT FEAR, October 30 to November 1. Carolyn Gimian will present the meditation instruction for the weekend. Register at: http://eomega.org/omega/workshops/3ab29488839b6f302d06b9b8d693c80e/
Ocean of Dharma now has 7,775 subscribers.
Please send comments to the list moderator, Carolyn Gimian, at carolyn@shambhala.com.
Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
TO SUBSCRIBE, unsubscribe, see the quotes online or read the Ocean of Dharma blog, visit the website at http://oceanofdharma.com
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
[OceanofDharma] Ocean of Dharma: Thoughts Are Not VIPs
Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week
September 23, 2009
THOUGHTS ARE NOT VIPS
Usually, if you have mental chatter, you call it your thoughts. But if you have deeply involved emotional chatter, you give it special prestige. You think those thoughts deserve the special privilege of being called emotion. Somehow, in the realm of actual mind, things don't work that way. Whatever arises is just thinking: thinking you're horny, thinking you're angry. As far as meditation practice is concerned, your thoughts are no longer regarded as VIPs, while you meditate. You think, you sit; you think, you sit; you think, you sit. You have thoughts, you have thoughts about thoughts. Let it happen that way. Call them thoughts.
From "Meditation: Touch and Go," in SMILE AT FEAR: AWAKENING THE TRUE HEART OF BRAVERY. Coming in October from Shambhala Publications.
"Chogyam Trungpa's vision of fearlessness as honesty, joyfulness, sadness, and openness is inspiring and particularly relevant to our historical moment."-- Norman Fischer
Pre-Order your copy at:
http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-1-59030-696-3.cfm
Of interest to readers:
Join the Shambhala Sun magazine in San Francisco, October 2-4, for an "Urban Retreat" exploring the theme, Wisdom for Difficult Times: What the Buddhists Teach. The Shambhala Sun will be joined by eminent teachers Sylvia Boorstein, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, and Zoketsu Norman Fischer -? three great teachers from three major Buddhist traditions, teaching together for the first time. This special weekend will include talks, meditation sessions, questions, and discussion. For more, visit www.shambhalasun.com/urbanretreat
Ocean of Dharma now has 7,755 subscribers.
Please send comments to the list moderator, Carolyn Gimian, at carolyn@shambhala.com.
Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
TO SUBSCRIBE, unsubscribe, see the quotes online or read the Ocean of Dharma blog, visit the website at http://oceanofdharma.com
September 23, 2009
THOUGHTS ARE NOT VIPS
Usually, if you have mental chatter, you call it your thoughts. But if you have deeply involved emotional chatter, you give it special prestige. You think those thoughts deserve the special privilege of being called emotion. Somehow, in the realm of actual mind, things don't work that way. Whatever arises is just thinking: thinking you're horny, thinking you're angry. As far as meditation practice is concerned, your thoughts are no longer regarded as VIPs, while you meditate. You think, you sit; you think, you sit; you think, you sit. You have thoughts, you have thoughts about thoughts. Let it happen that way. Call them thoughts.
From "Meditation: Touch and Go," in SMILE AT FEAR: AWAKENING THE TRUE HEART OF BRAVERY. Coming in October from Shambhala Publications.
"Chogyam Trungpa's vision of fearlessness as honesty, joyfulness, sadness, and openness is inspiring and particularly relevant to our historical moment."-- Norman Fischer
Pre-Order your copy at:
http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-1-59030-696-3.cfm
Of interest to readers:
Join the Shambhala Sun magazine in San Francisco, October 2-4, for an "Urban Retreat" exploring the theme, Wisdom for Difficult Times: What the Buddhists Teach. The Shambhala Sun will be joined by eminent teachers Sylvia Boorstein, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, and Zoketsu Norman Fischer -? three great teachers from three major Buddhist traditions, teaching together for the first time. This special weekend will include talks, meditation sessions, questions, and discussion. For more, visit www.shambhalasun.com/urbanretreat
Ocean of Dharma now has 7,755 subscribers.
Please send comments to the list moderator, Carolyn Gimian, at carolyn@shambhala.com.
Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
TO SUBSCRIBE, unsubscribe, see the quotes online or read the Ocean of Dharma blog, visit the website at http://oceanofdharma.com
Monday, September 21, 2009
[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: Healing Our Wound
Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week
September 20, 2009
HEALING OUR WOUND
The term "warrior" in the Shambhala tradition is a translation of the Tibetan word pawo. Pa means "brave," and wo makes it "a person who is brave." The warrior tradition we are discussing is a tradition of bravery. You might have the idea of a warrior as someone who wages war. But in this case, we are not talking about warriors as those who engage in warfare. Warriorship here refers to fundamental bravery and fearlessness. Warriorship is based on overcoming cowardice and our sense of being wounded.If we feel fundamentally wounded, we may be afraid that somebody is going to put stitches in us to heal our wound. Or maybe we have already had the stitches put in, but we dare not let anyone take them out. The approach of the warrior is to face all those situations of fear or cowardice. The general goal of warriorship is to have no fear. But the ground of warriorship is fear itself. In order to be fearless, first we have to find out what fear is.
From "Facing Yourself," in SMILE AT FEAR: AWAKENING THE TRUE HEART OF BRAVERY, coming in October from Shambhala Publications.
"This is powerful dharma encouragement to awaken our own fearless and wise heart - from one of the most remarkable and brilliant teachers of modern times." - Jack Kornfield
Pre-Order your copy at:
http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-1-59030-696-3.cfm
Ocean of Dharma now has 7,723 subscribers.
Please send comments to the list moderator, Carolyn Gimian, at carolyn@shambhala.com.
Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
TO SUBSCRIBE, unsubscribe, see the quotes online or read the Ocean of Dharma blog, visit the website at http://oceanofdharma.com
Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week::
Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
TO SUBSCRIBE, unsubscribe, see the quotes online or read the Ocean of Dharma blog, visit the website at http://oceanofdharma.com
September 20, 2009
HEALING OUR WOUND
The term "warrior" in the Shambhala tradition is a translation of the Tibetan word pawo. Pa means "brave," and wo makes it "a person who is brave." The warrior tradition we are discussing is a tradition of bravery. You might have the idea of a warrior as someone who wages war. But in this case, we are not talking about warriors as those who engage in warfare. Warriorship here refers to fundamental bravery and fearlessness. Warriorship is based on overcoming cowardice and our sense of being wounded.If we feel fundamentally wounded, we may be afraid that somebody is going to put stitches in us to heal our wound. Or maybe we have already had the stitches put in, but we dare not let anyone take them out. The approach of the warrior is to face all those situations of fear or cowardice. The general goal of warriorship is to have no fear. But the ground of warriorship is fear itself. In order to be fearless, first we have to find out what fear is.
From "Facing Yourself," in SMILE AT FEAR: AWAKENING THE TRUE HEART OF BRAVERY, coming in October from Shambhala Publications.
"This is powerful dharma encouragement to awaken our own fearless and wise heart - from one of the most remarkable and brilliant teachers of modern times." - Jack Kornfield
Pre-Order your copy at:
http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-1-59030-696-3.cfm
Ocean of Dharma now has 7,723 subscribers.
Please send comments to the list moderator, Carolyn Gimian, at carolyn@shambhala.com.
Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
TO SUBSCRIBE, unsubscribe, see the quotes online or read the Ocean of Dharma blog, visit the website at http://oceanofdharma.com
Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week::
Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
TO SUBSCRIBE, unsubscribe, see the quotes online or read the Ocean of Dharma blog, visit the website at http://oceanofdharma.com
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: Meditation as Sacrifice
Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week
September 15, 2009
MEDITATION AS SACRIFICE
The practice of meditation is largely based on some kind of sacrifice and openness. Such sacrifice is necessary and has to be personally experienced. Ordinarily, we might sacrifice something for the sake of developing goodness, or because we are willing to suffer on behalf of humanity. However, the sacrifice that has been recommended in the Buddhist tradition is to sacrifice something without any purpose....Sacrificing something without a purpose is outrageous and precisely heroic and fantastic; it is very beautiful. The practice of meditation is sacrifice and openness without techniques, without means, without gloves, pliers or hammers. You have to use your bare hands, bare feet, bare head, to relate with the whole thing.
From "Is Meditation Therapy?" in THE SANITY WE ARE BORN WITH, condensed from pages 183-184.
Order your copy at:
http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-1-59030-090-9.cfm
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Please send comments to the list moderator, Carolyn Gimian, at carolyn@shambhala.com.
Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
TO SUBSCRIBE, unsubscribe, see the quotes online or read the Ocean of Dharma blog, visit the website at http://oceanofdharma.com
September 15, 2009
MEDITATION AS SACRIFICE
The practice of meditation is largely based on some kind of sacrifice and openness. Such sacrifice is necessary and has to be personally experienced. Ordinarily, we might sacrifice something for the sake of developing goodness, or because we are willing to suffer on behalf of humanity. However, the sacrifice that has been recommended in the Buddhist tradition is to sacrifice something without any purpose....Sacrificing something without a purpose is outrageous and precisely heroic and fantastic; it is very beautiful. The practice of meditation is sacrifice and openness without techniques, without means, without gloves, pliers or hammers. You have to use your bare hands, bare feet, bare head, to relate with the whole thing.
From "Is Meditation Therapy?" in THE SANITY WE ARE BORN WITH, condensed from pages 183-184.
Order your copy at:
http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-1-59030-090-9.cfm
Ocean of Dharma now has 7,688 subscribers.
Please send comments to the list moderator, Carolyn Gimian, at carolyn@shambhala.com.
Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
TO SUBSCRIBE, unsubscribe, see the quotes online or read the Ocean of Dharma blog, visit the website at http://oceanofdharma.com
Saturday, September 12, 2009
[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: A Star in the Middle of a New-Moon Night
Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week
September 12, 2009
A STAR IN THE MIDDLE OF A NEW-MOON NIGHT
The contrast to samsara, or confused existence, is nirvana, or peace. At this point, however, we don't have anything but samsara and little points of light that arise from the midst of darkness. Our first alternative to samsara is the practice of awareness or mindfulness, which brings us through the journey of the four noble truths. The practice of meditation seems to be the only way. We have to come back to becoming the Buddha. The third noble truth is very simple: nirvana is possible. Before you have complete cessation, you have to have a message that it is possible to have complete cessation. That message is like seeing a star in the middle of the sky on a new-moon night. Eventually, you are inspired by the crescent moon, the full moon, and then by the dawn -- and finally you are inspired by the whole thing.
From "Awakening and Blossoming," in THE TRUTH OF SUFFERING: and the Path of Liberation, Page 67.
Order your copy at:
http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-1-59030-668-0.cfm
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Please send comments to the list moderator, Carolyn Gimian, at carolyn@shambhala.com.
Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
TO SUBSCRIBE, unsubscribe, see the quotes online or read the Ocean of Dharma blog, visit the website at http://oceanofdharma.com
September 12, 2009
A STAR IN THE MIDDLE OF A NEW-MOON NIGHT
The contrast to samsara, or confused existence, is nirvana, or peace. At this point, however, we don't have anything but samsara and little points of light that arise from the midst of darkness. Our first alternative to samsara is the practice of awareness or mindfulness, which brings us through the journey of the four noble truths. The practice of meditation seems to be the only way. We have to come back to becoming the Buddha. The third noble truth is very simple: nirvana is possible. Before you have complete cessation, you have to have a message that it is possible to have complete cessation. That message is like seeing a star in the middle of the sky on a new-moon night. Eventually, you are inspired by the crescent moon, the full moon, and then by the dawn -- and finally you are inspired by the whole thing.
From "Awakening and Blossoming," in THE TRUTH OF SUFFERING: and the Path of Liberation, Page 67.
Order your copy at:
http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-1-59030-668-0.cfm
Ocean of Dharma now has 7,685 subscribers.
Please send comments to the list moderator, Carolyn Gimian, at carolyn@shambhala.com.
Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
TO SUBSCRIBE, unsubscribe, see the quotes online or read the Ocean of Dharma blog, visit the website at http://oceanofdharma.com
Sunday, September 6, 2009
[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: The Ping Pong Ball Has a Gap
Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week
September 6, 2009
THE PING PONG BALL HAS A GAP
It is possible to undo the mythical, fictional aspect of the cessation of suffering and to experience a glimpse of cessation as reality, although it may be only a very short, small glimpse. The first step is to realize you are in the samsaric mess, the mess of confused existence. Although many people have heard this for years, they still do not actually recognize that they are being Ping-Pong balled. That is precisely why you are in samsara, confusion -- because you know what you are doing, but you still keep doing it. However, in being a Ping Pong ball there are still gaps of not being one. There are gaps in which something else is experienced. In fact, during that Ping-Pong-Balling, another experience takes place constantly: the experience of awareness. You being to realize what you are, who you are, and what you are doing.
From "Awakening and Blossoming," in THE TRUTH OF SUFFERING: and the Path of Liberation, Page 66.
Order your copy at:
http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-1-59030-668-0.cfm
Ocean of Dharma now has 7,675 subscribers.
Please send comments to the list moderator, Carolyn Gimian, at carolyn@shambhala.com.
Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
TO SUBSCRIBE, unsubscribe, see the quotes online or read the Ocean of Dharma blog, visit the website at http://oceanofdharma.com
September 6, 2009
THE PING PONG BALL HAS A GAP
It is possible to undo the mythical, fictional aspect of the cessation of suffering and to experience a glimpse of cessation as reality, although it may be only a very short, small glimpse. The first step is to realize you are in the samsaric mess, the mess of confused existence. Although many people have heard this for years, they still do not actually recognize that they are being Ping-Pong balled. That is precisely why you are in samsara, confusion -- because you know what you are doing, but you still keep doing it. However, in being a Ping Pong ball there are still gaps of not being one. There are gaps in which something else is experienced. In fact, during that Ping-Pong-Balling, another experience takes place constantly: the experience of awareness. You being to realize what you are, who you are, and what you are doing.
From "Awakening and Blossoming," in THE TRUTH OF SUFFERING: and the Path of Liberation, Page 66.
Order your copy at:
http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-1-59030-668-0.cfm
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Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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Wednesday, September 2, 2009
[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: The Ping Pong Ball of Fixation
Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week
September 2, 2009
THE PING PONG BALL OF FIXATION
The cause of samsara, or ultimate confusion, is holding on to vague concepts. That is what is called fixation, or in Tibetan, dzinpa. When we do not have clear perception, we must hang on to vagueness and uncertainty. In doing so, we begin to behave like a Ping-Pong ball, which does not possess any intelligence but only follows the directions of the paddle....Whatever we do, our actions are not perfectly right because, based on this neurotic game, we keep being Ping-Ponged. Although it may appear that the Ping-Pong ball is commanding the players, although it seems amazing that such a little ball has so much power to direct the players' actions and even draw spectators to watch it going back and forth -- actually, that is not true. The Ping-Pong ball is just a ball. It does not have any intelligence; it's just operating on reflex....As the Ping-Pong Ball, you feel very dizzy and you ache all over your body because you've been bounced back and forth so much. The sense of pain is enormous. That is the definition of samsara, or confused existence.
From "Awakening and Blossoming," in THE TRUTH OF SUFFERING: and the Path of Liberation, Pages 65 to 66.
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Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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September 2, 2009
THE PING PONG BALL OF FIXATION
The cause of samsara, or ultimate confusion, is holding on to vague concepts. That is what is called fixation, or in Tibetan, dzinpa. When we do not have clear perception, we must hang on to vagueness and uncertainty. In doing so, we begin to behave like a Ping-Pong ball, which does not possess any intelligence but only follows the directions of the paddle....Whatever we do, our actions are not perfectly right because, based on this neurotic game, we keep being Ping-Ponged. Although it may appear that the Ping-Pong ball is commanding the players, although it seems amazing that such a little ball has so much power to direct the players' actions and even draw spectators to watch it going back and forth -- actually, that is not true. The Ping-Pong ball is just a ball. It does not have any intelligence; it's just operating on reflex....As the Ping-Pong Ball, you feel very dizzy and you ache all over your body because you've been bounced back and forth so much. The sense of pain is enormous. That is the definition of samsara, or confused existence.
From "Awakening and Blossoming," in THE TRUTH OF SUFFERING: and the Path of Liberation, Pages 65 to 66.
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http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-1-59030-668-0.cfm
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Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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Sunday, August 30, 2009
[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: Recycle the Leftovers
Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week
August 30, 2009
[Ed. Note: Ocean of Dharma has been having a picnic this month. But summer is almost over....]
RECYCLE THE LEFTOVERS
The setting-sun approach is that you have a giant vision, which you can't consume, and you end up throwing most of the it away. There is not even a program to recycle the leftovers. Everything goes to the dump. It is no wonder we have such big problems disposing of our garbage. Some people have even thought of sending our garbage into outer space: we can let the rest of the universe take care of our leftovers, instead of cleaning up our earth....As long as we have a pleasurable situation, we forget about the leftovers or the greasy spoons and plates. We leave the job of cleaning up to somebody else....In contrast to that, Great Eastern Sun vision is a very ecological approach. The way of the Great Eastern Sun is based on seeing what is needed and how things happen organically.
From "The Dawn of the Great Eastern Sun," in SHAMBHALA: THE SACRED PATH OF THE WARRIOR, pages 56 to 58.
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Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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August 30, 2009
[Ed. Note: Ocean of Dharma has been having a picnic this month. But summer is almost over....]
RECYCLE THE LEFTOVERS
The setting-sun approach is that you have a giant vision, which you can't consume, and you end up throwing most of the it away. There is not even a program to recycle the leftovers. Everything goes to the dump. It is no wonder we have such big problems disposing of our garbage. Some people have even thought of sending our garbage into outer space: we can let the rest of the universe take care of our leftovers, instead of cleaning up our earth....As long as we have a pleasurable situation, we forget about the leftovers or the greasy spoons and plates. We leave the job of cleaning up to somebody else....In contrast to that, Great Eastern Sun vision is a very ecological approach. The way of the Great Eastern Sun is based on seeing what is needed and how things happen organically.
From "The Dawn of the Great Eastern Sun," in SHAMBHALA: THE SACRED PATH OF THE WARRIOR, pages 56 to 58.
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Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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Wednesday, August 26, 2009
[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: Conquering the Hot Dog
Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week
August 26, 2009
[Ed. Note: It's summer, so Ocean of Dharma is having a picnic this month.]
CONQUERING THE HOT DOG
Student: What is the difference between aggression and conquering?
Chogyam Trungpa: In this case, conquering is not so much aggression; it's more a sense of inspiration. If you are really hungry, you have a fantastic relationship with food. Let's say it's a hot dog. For many days, you want to have a hot dog. And finally you have a hot dog. You can actually have it on your paper dish, or whatever dish you have. You have a fantastic relationship with the hot dog. You eat it with complete delight and complete communication. That could be said to be a very aggressive trip. But I don't think that's true, actually, because you have open-mindedness toward that particular hot dog. You have designed visualizations and devotions and you have a sense of longing for your hot dog, and everything's completely softened. You become softened, a soft person and a reasonable person. You have a hot dog, and you can eat that hot dog very beautifully, you know. You hold it in your hand and you feel it. You take a bite, and you chew it and feel the goodness of it at the same time. So it's a very real experience. That seems to be the difference between conquering, or expanding, and aggression, which is, you know, just completely off the wall.
From "Kagyu Lineage/Mishap Lineage," in MISHAP LINEAGE: Transforming Confusion into Wisdom, page 15. Newly published by Shambhala Publications.
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Of interest to readers:
Join the Shambhala Sun magazine in San Francisco, October 2-4, for an "Urban Retreat" exploring the theme, Wisdom for Difficult Times: What the Buddhists Teach. The Shambhala Sun will be joined by eminent teachers Sylvia Boorstein, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, and Zoketsu Norman Fischer - three great teachers from three major Buddhist traditions, teaching together for the first time. This special weekend will include talks, meditation sessions, questions, and discussion. For more, visit www.shambhalasun.com/urbanretreat
Please send comments to the list moderator, Carolyn Gimian, at carolyn@shambhala.com.
Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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August 26, 2009
[Ed. Note: It's summer, so Ocean of Dharma is having a picnic this month.]
CONQUERING THE HOT DOG
Student: What is the difference between aggression and conquering?
Chogyam Trungpa: In this case, conquering is not so much aggression; it's more a sense of inspiration. If you are really hungry, you have a fantastic relationship with food. Let's say it's a hot dog. For many days, you want to have a hot dog. And finally you have a hot dog. You can actually have it on your paper dish, or whatever dish you have. You have a fantastic relationship with the hot dog. You eat it with complete delight and complete communication. That could be said to be a very aggressive trip. But I don't think that's true, actually, because you have open-mindedness toward that particular hot dog. You have designed visualizations and devotions and you have a sense of longing for your hot dog, and everything's completely softened. You become softened, a soft person and a reasonable person. You have a hot dog, and you can eat that hot dog very beautifully, you know. You hold it in your hand and you feel it. You take a bite, and you chew it and feel the goodness of it at the same time. So it's a very real experience. That seems to be the difference between conquering, or expanding, and aggression, which is, you know, just completely off the wall.
From "Kagyu Lineage/Mishap Lineage," in MISHAP LINEAGE: Transforming Confusion into Wisdom, page 15. Newly published by Shambhala Publications.
Order your copy at:
http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-1-59030-713-7.cfm
Ocean of Dharma now has 7,648 subscribers.
Of interest to readers:
Join the Shambhala Sun magazine in San Francisco, October 2-4, for an "Urban Retreat" exploring the theme, Wisdom for Difficult Times: What the Buddhists Teach. The Shambhala Sun will be joined by eminent teachers Sylvia Boorstein, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, and Zoketsu Norman Fischer - three great teachers from three major Buddhist traditions, teaching together for the first time. This special weekend will include talks, meditation sessions, questions, and discussion. For more, visit www.shambhalasun.com/urbanretreat
Please send comments to the list moderator, Carolyn Gimian, at carolyn@shambhala.com.
Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
TO SUBSCRIBE, unsubscribe, see the quotes online or read the Ocean of Dharma blog, visit the website at http://oceanofdharma.com
Friday, August 21, 2009
[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: Mosquitoes Just So
Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week
August 21, 2009
[Ed. Note: It's summer, so Ocean of Dharma is having a picnic this month. What's a picnic without mosquitoes?]
MOSQUITOES JUST SO
The trees
Grow
Just so
Baby ducks
Learn to float
Just so
Mosquitoes' beaks
Well-made
Just so....
Nothing to worry
Everything is
Just so
Doesn't quite hurt
But sometimes
Painfully ticklish
From "1018 Spruce Street (and K.A.)" in TIMELY RAIN: Selected Poetry of Chogyam Trungpa, edited by David I Rome, page 118.
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Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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August 21, 2009
[Ed. Note: It's summer, so Ocean of Dharma is having a picnic this month. What's a picnic without mosquitoes?]
MOSQUITOES JUST SO
The trees
Grow
Just so
Baby ducks
Learn to float
Just so
Mosquitoes' beaks
Well-made
Just so....
Nothing to worry
Everything is
Just so
Doesn't quite hurt
But sometimes
Painfully ticklish
From "1018 Spruce Street (and K.A.)" in TIMELY RAIN: Selected Poetry of Chogyam Trungpa, edited by David I Rome, page 118.
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http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-1-57062-174-1.cfm
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Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
TO SUBSCRIBE, unsubscribe, see the quotes online or read the Ocean of Dharma blog, visit the website at http://oceanofdharma.com
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: Fish of Subconscious Gossip
Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week
August 18, 2009
[Ed. Note: It's summer, so Ocean of Dharma is having a picnic this month.]
FISH OF SUBCONSCIOUS GOSSIP
From the samsaric ocean,
With the net of your good posture,
The fish of your subconscious gossip
Are exposed to the fresh air.
No praise, no blame.
The fish of your subconscious mind
Look for samsaric air,
But they die in coemergent wisdom.
From "Fishing Wisely," in TIMELY RAIN: SELECTED POETRY OF CHOGYAM TRUNGPA, page 37.
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Of interest to readers:
Join the Shambhala Sun magazine in San Francisco, October 2-4, for an "Urban Retreat" exploring the theme, Wisdom for Difficult Times: What the Buddhists Teach. The Shambhala Sun will be joined by eminent teachers Sylvia Boorstein, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, and Zoketsu Norman Fischer - three great teachers from three major Buddhist traditions, teaching together for the first time. This special weekend will include talks, meditation sessions, questions, and discussion. For more, visit www.shambhalasun.com/urbanretreat
Please send comments to the list moderator, Carolyn Gimian, at carolyn@shambhala.com.
Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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August 18, 2009
[Ed. Note: It's summer, so Ocean of Dharma is having a picnic this month.]
FISH OF SUBCONSCIOUS GOSSIP
From the samsaric ocean,
With the net of your good posture,
The fish of your subconscious gossip
Are exposed to the fresh air.
No praise, no blame.
The fish of your subconscious mind
Look for samsaric air,
But they die in coemergent wisdom.
From "Fishing Wisely," in TIMELY RAIN: SELECTED POETRY OF CHOGYAM TRUNGPA, page 37.
Order your copy at:
http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-1-57062-174-1.cfm
Ocean of Dharma now has 7,632 subscribers.
Of interest to readers:
Join the Shambhala Sun magazine in San Francisco, October 2-4, for an "Urban Retreat" exploring the theme, Wisdom for Difficult Times: What the Buddhists Teach. The Shambhala Sun will be joined by eminent teachers Sylvia Boorstein, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, and Zoketsu Norman Fischer - three great teachers from three major Buddhist traditions, teaching together for the first time. This special weekend will include talks, meditation sessions, questions, and discussion. For more, visit www.shambhalasun.com/urbanretreat
Please send comments to the list moderator, Carolyn Gimian, at carolyn@shambhala.com.
Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
TO SUBSCRIBE, unsubscribe, see the quotes online or read the Ocean of Dharma blog, visit the website at http://oceanofdharma.com
Saturday, August 15, 2009
[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: The Water of No Thoughts
Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week
August 15, 2009
[Ed. Note: It's summer, so Ocean of Dharma is having a picnic this month.]
THE WATER OF NO THOUGHTS
Suppose you are very thirsty, and you are presented with a glass of ice water....You hold the glass of ice water and you are about to drink, knowing that it is the real thing and that it will quench your thirst. Then holding the glass in your hand, you bring your arm close to your mouth, you bend your neck, you raise the glass and you begin to drink. Having had the idea, the connection, the first delight, ...you proceed with the appreciation of that basic goodness. Strangely enough, when you are very thirsty, while you are drinking a glass of water, your mind is almost completely without anxiety at all. You can try this yourself. While you�re drinking a glass of water, you have no thoughts. You are purely synchronizing your mind and body together in drinking that nice cool glass of water.
From "Working with Early Morning Depression," in GREAT EASTERN SUN: The Wisdom of Shambhala, page 30.
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Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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August 15, 2009
[Ed. Note: It's summer, so Ocean of Dharma is having a picnic this month.]
THE WATER OF NO THOUGHTS
Suppose you are very thirsty, and you are presented with a glass of ice water....You hold the glass of ice water and you are about to drink, knowing that it is the real thing and that it will quench your thirst. Then holding the glass in your hand, you bring your arm close to your mouth, you bend your neck, you raise the glass and you begin to drink. Having had the idea, the connection, the first delight, ...you proceed with the appreciation of that basic goodness. Strangely enough, when you are very thirsty, while you are drinking a glass of water, your mind is almost completely without anxiety at all. You can try this yourself. While you�re drinking a glass of water, you have no thoughts. You are purely synchronizing your mind and body together in drinking that nice cool glass of water.
From "Working with Early Morning Depression," in GREAT EASTERN SUN: The Wisdom of Shambhala, page 30.
Order your copy at:
http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-1-57062-818-4.cfm
Ocean of Dharma now has 7,620 subscribers.
Please send comments to the list moderator, Carolyn Gimian, at carolyn@shambhala.com.
Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
TO SUBSCRIBE, unsubscribe, see the quotes online or read the Ocean of Dharma blog, visit the website at http://oceanofdharma.com
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: Spiritual Pizza
Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week
August 12, 2009
[Ed. Note: It's summer, so Ocean of Dharma is having a picnic this month.]
SPIRITUAL PIZZA
People have different experiences of reality, which cannot be jumbled together. Invaders and dictators of all kinds have tried to make others have their experience, to make a big concoction of minds controlled by one person. But that is impossible. Everyone who has tried to make that kind of spiritual pizza has failed. So you have to accept that your experience is personal. The personal experience of nowness is very much there and very obviously there. You cannot even throw it away!
From "The Four Foundations of Mindfulness," in THE SANITY WE ARE BORN WITH: A Buddhist Approach to Psychology, page 37.
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Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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August 12, 2009
[Ed. Note: It's summer, so Ocean of Dharma is having a picnic this month.]
SPIRITUAL PIZZA
People have different experiences of reality, which cannot be jumbled together. Invaders and dictators of all kinds have tried to make others have their experience, to make a big concoction of minds controlled by one person. But that is impossible. Everyone who has tried to make that kind of spiritual pizza has failed. So you have to accept that your experience is personal. The personal experience of nowness is very much there and very obviously there. You cannot even throw it away!
From "The Four Foundations of Mindfulness," in THE SANITY WE ARE BORN WITH: A Buddhist Approach to Psychology, page 37.
Order you copy at:
http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-1-59030-090-9.cfm
Ocean of Dharma now has 7,616 subscribers.
Please send comments to the list moderator, Carolyn Gimian, at carolyn@shambhala.com.
Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
TO SUBSCRIBE, unsubscribe, see the quotes online or read the Ocean of Dharma blog, visit the website at http://oceanofdharma.com
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