I do not write this lightly. It is vital that your motivation be as clearly understood as possible and that all its energy be channeled into realizing your goals. Wishy-washy practice brings wishy-washy results, and determined, well-guided, brave, and wholehearted practice can eventually bring the desired results.

The seven factors of awakening are: 1) mindfulness 2) investigation 3) energy 4) rapture 5) tranquility 6) concentration 7) equanimity

Thus, realization is not something created or acquired but instead is discovered or unveiled as being an intrinsic aspect of phenomena. With enough stability and clarity (concentration and insight), this natural, compassionate process of manifestation can begin to function more skillfully, as it now has better information to go on, and can begin to

In short, when doing insight practices, constantly work to perceive sensations arise and pass as quickly and accurately as you possibly can.

The total synchrony of the sense sphere that leads to a Fruition shows a fun physiological fact: Fruitions always occur at the end of the out-breath, and reality always reappears at the beginning of the in-breath, which is one of the cool reasons that finding the end of the out-breath can be powerful practice.

Five Ways to Know Yourself.

Once the stages of awakening are attained, that aspect of our suffering is forever eliminated and never arises again.

One of my favorite Chögyam Trungpa observations is that we will never be decorated by our guru.16 Even if you are, I doubt if it will be of any great benefit to you, and it might even be harmful. Thus, two ironies of the spiritual life that we might encounter are that success can cause feelings of isolation and that the spiritual path can be a very

Kindness toward ourselves Kindness toward others, both humans and non-humans Ability to set and respect reasonable boundaries Written communication ability Spoken communication ability Ability to skillfully support ourselves Ability to skillfully support others Generosity Patience Gratitude Persistence Honesty Integrity Dedication to service Abilit