All ideologies are idiotic, whether religious or political, for it is conceptual thinking, the conceptual word, which has so unfortunately divided man.
- Jiddu Krishnamurti
When we discipline ourselves to become more mindful of our interconnectedness and innate completion, on a daily basis, we begin to create a happier and richer life experience. It’s all about turn our awareness to the potential for openness and stillness. There, lies the wellspring of limitless potentiality.
On Dzogchen path, we know our spontaneously perfected qualities are already there. We must open ourselves and turn our awareness to this.
Namasté
khenpo gurudas sunyatananda
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Copyright ©2010, Khenpo Gurudas Sunyatananda (The Most Reverend Dr. F. Francis-Maria G. Salvato, M.Sc., O.C.). All rights reserved. This material may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire copyright including contact information remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.
When we speak of mindfulness, we’re speaking of bringing awareness & acceptance to the present moment, without clinging to or rejecting it.
Namasté
khenpo gurudas sunyatananda
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Copyright ©2010, Khenpo Gurudas Sunyatananda (The Most Reverend Dr. F. Francis-Maria G. Salvato, M.Sc., O.C.). All rights reserved. This material may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire copyright including contact information remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.
Master Thich Nhat Hanh reminds us that compassion is a verb. I believe that it’s not enough to talk about compassion… we must engage. Begin by finding peace within yourself, then do all you can to bring that peace to those you encounter every day. In Buddhism we call this cultivating the “highest motivation”, and it can transform and enlarge the potential for what any of us could ever hope to accomplish, and allow us to become a manifestation of love for someone who is hurting.
What can you do today… right now… in the next 24 hours, to alleviate the suffering, sadness, pain or discomfort someone is experiencing? What’s stopping you from doing it?
Namasté
khenpo gurudas sunyatananda
Copyright ©2010, Khenpo Gurudas Sunyatananda (The Most Reverend Dr. F. Francis-Maria G. Salvato, M.Sc., O.C.). All rights reserved. This material may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire copyright including contact information remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.
The true essence of lineage is experienced in the consciousness of the disciples, and manifest in the way their lives are transformed. If you have to tell me how wonderful your guru is, ask yourself WHY! Shouldn’t I be able to see how wonderful your teacher is, by watching the fruits of that Dharma in you? http://blog.dharmadudeunplugged.com/?p=590
Namasté
khenpo gurudas sunyatananda
(khenpo jampal shinje shesneyen)
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“Chenrezig, Treasure of Objectless Compassion;
Manjushri, Lord of Stainless Wisdom;
Vajrapani, Destroyer of all adversarial forces;
O Je Tsong Khapa – Losang Drakpa —
Crown Prince of the Sages of the Land of Snows,
Humbly at Your Lotus Feet I ask your blessing.”
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Copyright ©2010, Khenpo Gurudas Sunyatananda (The Most Reverend Dr. F. Francis-Maria G. Salvato, M.Sc., O.C.). All rights reserved. This material may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire copyright including contact information remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.
“All our conflicts arise because we stop at a certain level. Christians stop at the Christian religion. Muslims at Islam, and if you are a Hindu you stop at your own symbolism. Each one feels himself separate from the others. Only when you go beyond these distinctions and are open to the reality beyond, can you overcome these conflicts.” Bede Griffiths. Modern Spirituality Series
The key to cultivating compassion is to make it a daily practice. It differs from other forms of helpful or humane behaviour, in that its focus is purely the alleviation of suffering. Rather than preoccupying myself with superstitious religious ideologies, I choose not to waste the day, and dedicate my energies toward personal and spiritual development, for the sake of all sentient beings. Along the way, I strive to be compassionate toward, and accepting of all spiritual traditions, recognising that this does not mean I have to buy into any primitive or superstitious notions, yet can celebrate the common thread of love that exists at the heart of all traditions and paths.
Not long ago, I came across an article in a magazine that recommended a powerful five-step spiritual exercise I try to make part of every evening, before sadhana. With mindfulness, after sitting silently for ten minutes, hold in mind not only those you love, but those who appear to be adversarial, telling yourself:
1. “Just like me, this person is seeking happiness in his/her life.”
2. “Just like me, this person is trying to avoid suffering in his/her life.”
3. “Just like me, this person has known sadness, loneliness and despair.”
4. “Just like me, this person is seeking to fill his/her needs.”
5. “Just like me, this person is learning about life.”
Try this, and feel free to share your experiences with us!
Namasté
khenpo gurudas sunyatananda
(khenpo jampal shinje shesneyen)
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“Chenrezig, Treasure of Objectless Compassion;
Manjushri, Lord of Stainless Wisdom;
Vajrapani, Destroyer of all adversarial forces;
O Je Tsong Khapa – Losang Drakpa —
Crown Prince of the Sages of the Land of Snows,
Humbly at Your Lotus Feet I ask your blessing.”
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Drawing on the essential teachings of the great spiritual teachers, philosophers and freethinkers throughout time, Khenpo Gurudas Śunyatananda (retired Archbishop Francis-Maria Salvato, O.C.) has been regarded as a provocative, revolutionary “voice of reason” within the field of religion and spirituality, since 1983. Having the distinction of being one of the few openly non-theistic, openly-gay and post-denominational thinkers ever to serve as Bishop-Exarch and spiritual leader of the autocephalic Eastern Catholic Franciscans in North America, Gurudas is the author of more than 600 articles, eight books and currently serves as the spiritual advisor for a non-theistic, intentional spiritual community, The Spiritus Project. He can be reached at: http://dharmadudeunplugged.com
Copyright ©2010, Khenpo Gurudas Sunyatananda (The Most Reverend Dr. F. Francis-Maria G. Salvato, M.Sc., O.C.). All rights reserved. This material may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire copyright including contact information remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.
"It is necessary to help others, not only in our prayers, but in our daily lives. If we find we cannot help others, the least we can do is to desist from harming them." - H.H. Dalai Lama
“Let us (beginning with the Tibetan Government-in-Exile)remember this in the way we treat those whose spiritual practice may differ from ours… including our brother and sister Shugdenpa. There are no throw away people… and those whose practices may differ from our own are members of the One Sangha. Don’t buy into the political agendas and devices used to create disharmony. No one should ever be refused shelter, food or medical care by anyone who claims to be a student or practitioner of the Dharma – especially a monk or nun.”
– Khenpo Gurudas Sunyatananda
(Jampal Shinje Sheshneyen)
Contemplative Monks of the Eightfold Path
Namasté
Copyright ©2010, Khenpo Gurudas Sunyatananda (The Most Reverend Dr. F. Francis-Maria G. Salvato, M.Sc., O.C.). All rights reserved. This material may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire copyright including contact information remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.
Do not believe in anything (simply) because you have heard it.
Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations.
Do not believe in anything because it is spoken and rumoured by many.
Do not believe in anything (simply) because it is found written in your religious books.
Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders.
But after observation and analysis when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conductive to the good and benefit of one and all then accept it and live up to it.
While I will never believe in, support or consider an act of violence, particularly war, to be "justified", I am compelled to have compassion for every person who has ever lost their lives trying to defend what they thought needed to be defended. And I affirm that, as A.J. Muste reminded us, "There is no way to peace. Peace is the way."
Namasté
khenpo gurudas sunyatananda
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Copyright ©2010, Khenpo Gurudas Sunyatananda (The Most Reverend Dr. F. Francis-Maria G. Salvato, M.Sc., O.C.). All rights reserved. This material may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire copyright including contact information remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.
