It has been a while since I have been writing. But today I feel the need to express and share with you the road I followed in the last couple months.
Back to Tibetan Buddhism
It all started with the visit of the Dalai Lama here in the Netherlands, which gave me such a strong pull towards Tibetan Buddhism that I tried to find a way to connect. The knowledge is in the books I thought, so I need to follow the books. As information is where I can gain the Tibetan wisdom about control of mind, emotions and other knowledge that was not yet known to me. First I thought to travel to Tibet and become a monk. But this would only be temporary. By accident I found the Phuntsok Chö Ling center here in Rotterdam.
Lama Jigmé Namgyal
There I went, a try out meditation class. When I got there it was an immediate feeling of warmth and connection. Not only did I find Tibetan Teacher Lama Jigmé Namgyal but as well all the Tibetan books piled up behind him. For me the sign that this was the place! It’s been two months now and what a change! It made me realize so many things. Books we need to study yes, but a teacher will help you to realize, become aware.
See through the Maze of Thoughts
And there I was in the temple. With my dirty work done through years and years of clean up and work on myself. It was time to change my habits, become really aware of my ego. My concepts that make me suffer. The concept of how a happy life should look; find a partner, marry, have a house, animals, kids. Celebrations that should be happy. And a partner to be there for you always. I have been there, done that. And every time I ran away! Why? Because concepts, ideas and thoughts are not what make me happy. They stop me from moving and being the person I really am and want to become. Helping others at a cost of me doesn’t make me happy. It is time to ground in my own self. Stabilizing as a strong tree in the wind.
Ego, concepts and expectations make us suffer
Ego is everywhere and ego is an illusion. It is made up by our mind. The ideas that come forth of thoughts of how things should be. Not complying or able to comply is what makes us suffer! Worries, emotions coming forth out of thoughts, concepts, expectations, conditioning. These are the things that cost us the most energy. And these are the things that usually already happened or are worries for the future. It is a delusion of the mind.
Meditation is like a rain coat
Emotions are like the weather, they come and they go. You always know they will stop at some point. Meditation is like the raincoat you need when the sun doesn’t shine. You have an extra layer that can help you to cover for the rain and cold. Once you master your raincoat, you are in control and on the way to be without suffering.
Meditate daily, even if it is just 5 minutes when on the toilet!
Meditation, meditation, meditation is the remedy to all suffering. But, not just sitting and becoming calm. Real meditation! Letting go of attachments, loved ones, things, status, concepts, thoughts, emotions and also yourself and your body. Attachments are what create suffering and therefore sadness, anger etcetera. Negative and positive, when not attached, become emptiness. They do not exist. And then there is space…
Are you really as intelligent as you think?
We have the power to decide. It is just that our negative thoughts and emotions are so strong, that they keep winning. We have diplomas, knowledge and are skilled for this society, are intelligent. But where does it bring you when your negative emotions are smarter and more intelligent than you?
You have a choice!
You are not in control of your thoughts and emotions. You want this, that, you deserve this, that. This person said this to you and you feel bad. Just because our positive emotions are very shortly lived, our negative emotions are stronger. Why you live in the past or future worrying about things that have not yet come to pass or have already happened? Why don’t we decide to choose to think something positive? We have also a lot of positive experiences, but we tend to forget or we choose not to think of those. So, become aware and start chosing happy thoughts. Detach and be aware if you really want to get out of the vicious circle of Samsara!
Many, many thanks to my favorite Tibetan Teacher Lama Jigmé Namgyal. Very, very grateful!!
Om Mani Padme Hum
The Four Immeasurables
May all beings have happiness and the causes of happiness!
May all beings be free from suffering and the causes of suffering!
May all beings never be separated from happiness, which is free from suffering!
May all beings rest in equanimity, free from attachment and hatred!
If you want to continue reading, this might be interesting for you as well:
Love and Compassion part 1/3 How aware are You of your Emotional Hygiene?
Love and Compassion part 2/3 Step to Step guide towards Compassion
Love and Compassion part 3/3 Ultimate practice of Love and Tips for Compassion
© 2018 Nagabandhu Yoga and Living Practice – All Rights Reserved
No portion of this site can be reprinted without express permission