Tibetan Buddhist Altar

Astrology for 7/22/2016

July 22, 2016 by Norma

7/22/2016 Friday by Norma

A clear leader is in place, one who speaks to the hearts and concerns of a specific constituency. Those who disagree withdraw from the scene as happy talk prevails. Do pay attention to underground or hidden matters, people are sulking. Epictetus said, “There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.” Acceptance is an important issue today. Pay close attention to what you can and cannot control. Dress up, speak kindly to everyone and be aware that your actions and words are favorably noticed. Work goes well, and life seems sunnier, happier. Time spent outdoors is excellent.

The astrology post affects everyone differently, depending on individual horoscopes. Look to see how this message reflects your life today!

Astrology for 7/21/2016

July 21, 2016 by Norma

7/21/2016 Thursday by Norma

This is the final day of an emotional time, so relax and accept things are they are. You’ve never felt more like staying home, yet the world beckons. A group forms unexpectedly and favorably, bringing resolution to a problem. Be generous in your evaluation of others. Montaigne said, “There is no man so good, who, were he to submit all his thoughts and actions to the laws, would not deserve censure ten times in his life.” A change occurs toward the end of the day and a leader appears. It’s a good day to wrap up loose ends in business, to speak well of those who deserve it, and to diet, exercise, participate in sports and improve your health.

The astrology post affects everyone differently, depending on individual horoscopes. Look to see how this message reflects your life today!

Astrology for 7/20/2016

July 20, 2016 by Norma

7/20/2016 Wednesday by Norma

Friends and groups rule today! Share information with those you’re closest to, stating your position clearly. Now is the time to speak up, to declare yourself. Alexander Hamilton said, “Those who stand for nothing will fall for anything.” Back and forth discussion brings consensus, with everyone making concessions that lead to agreement. Old loves and friendships are back in the picture. This is an interesting day where you’re required to show the courage of your convictions knowing full well that others disagree. Work goes well, exercise and diet are favored, family members are on your side, and a speech or statement of purpose is widely disseminated and brings happiness.

The astrology post affects everyone differently, depending on individual horoscopes. Look to see how this message reflects your life today!

Astrology for 7/19/2016

July 19, 2016 by Norma

7/19/2016 Tuesday by Norma

The planet of unexpected outcomes continues to play a significant role in events, bringing surprise where a definite result is forecast. The full moon highlights differing viewpoints within groups. A gorgeous aspect to Mars shows strong, favorable forces stabilizing difficult situations. Hooray! This is a great day to stay close to the most stable forces you know. Webster’s Dictionary defines stable as, “Not likely to give away, fixed, firm in character, purpose, steadfast.” Important messages are conveyed, and pleasant speech is part of the mix. What’s good today? Travel, meeting friends, happy conversation and news that provides a solid direction for the future. Do pay attention to your surroundings.

The astrology post affects everyone differently, depending on individual horoscopes. Look to see how this message reflects your life today!

Short Visualization Instruction by His Holiness Penor Rinpoche

July 19, 2016 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The following is a short section of heart advice from His Holiness Penor Rinpoche at New York Retreat in Upstate New York:

At night before you go to sleep, visualize that Guru Padmasambhava, non-dual with the root teacher, melts into your central channel, and abides in your heart. Then from the Guru’s body light radiates and your whole body is filled with light. Have devotion, faith and confidence. Concentrate one’s mind on that. And then go to sleep. And in that way, you can carry on this practice.

Supplication & Longevity Prayer to Jetsunma

July 18, 2016 by Holly

A Supplication-Longevity Prayer to Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo

HRI:

KHACHÖD SHING NA DORJE PAGMO DANG

In the realm of Khachod, she is Vajra Varahi,

ZAHOR YUL DU LHACHAM MANDARA

In the country of Zahor, the consort Mandarawa,

BÖD KYI TSUNMO AH KAR SALI DRÖN

In Tibet Queen Ahkartsayi-drOn,

LABDRÖN SEIMO LHADUL CHOKYI DRÖN

The daughter of Machig Labdron, Ladul Chokyi Dron and

KHAM CHOG AHKÖN CHANGCHUB LHAMO YI

Ahkon Changchub Lhamo of Kham.

YANG TRUL AHR’I KHANDRO JETSUN MA’I

Now reincarnated as the American dakini Jetsunma,

KU TSE’I GAL KYEN BARCHAD YING SU SOL

May the nonconducive circumstances and obstacles to your life

dissolve in the sphere of reality.

PHOMED TAG PA TEN PA’I NGO WOR SHUG

Remaining firm in the essence of authentic stable presence,

GONG PA RANG SHAR CHOKYI KHOR LO KOR

Turn the dharma wheel of self-originating enlightened awareness!

PEDMA’I RANG LUG DZIN PA’I CHO TSOG DEI

May this dharma place of our own Lotus Family tradition prevail

DZAM LING SA YI KYÖN GANG GYEI GYUR CHIG

Throughout this world of Jambhudvipa

Samaya ku sung tug kyi gya

Samaya sealed with enlightened body, speech and mind.

This is a mind revelation of Orgyen Kusum Lingpa

Astrology for 7/18/2016

July 18, 2016 by Norma

7/18/2016 Monday by Norma

The need to engage in activities that raise your public profile sets the tone for the day. Question whether your life objectives will be advanced by what you do, and refrain if the answer is no. You’re building a resume that won’t be enhanced by first prize in a beer pong, wet tee shirt or mud wrestling contest! Bow out of frivolity and adopt a serious attitude. Charles Kettering said, “My interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there.” The harder you work the better things go today. What’ good? Accomplishment, happy conversation, putting your best foot forward, engaging in athletics and attending formal functions. (dressed your best!)

The astrology post affects everyone differently, depending on individual horoscopes. Look to see how this message reflects your life today!

The Benefits of the Awakening Mind

July 17, 2016 by Holly

Here is another excerpt from the first chapter of A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life called “The Benefits of the Awakening Mind.” May these words written by Shantideva inspire all who encounter them.

#26

How can I fathom the depths

Of the goodness of this jewel of the mind,

The panacea that relieves the world of pain

And is the source of all its joy?

#31

If whoever repays a kind deed

Is worthy of some praise,

Then what need to mention the Bodhisattvas

Who do good without it being asked of them?

#32

The world honors as virtuous

One who sometimes gives a little, plain food

Disrespectfully to a few beings,

Which satisfies them for only a half a day.

#33

What need be said then of one

Who eternally bestows the peerless bliss of the Sugatas

Upon limitless numbers of beings,

Thereby fulfilling all their hopes?

#34

The Buddha has said that whoever bears a harmful thought

Against a benefactor such as a Bodhisattva

Will remain in hell for as many aeons

As there were harmful thoughts.

#35

However, if a virtuous attitude should arise (in that regard),

Its fruits will multiply far more than that.

When Bodhisattvas greatly suffer they generate no negativity,

Instead their virtues naturally increase.

#36

I bow down to the body of those

In whom the sacred precious mind is born.

I seek refuge in that source of joy

Who brings happiness even to those who bring harm.

Astrology for 7/17/2016

July 17, 2016 by Norma

7/17/2016 Sunday by Norma

A sudden inspiration appears early in the day in the form of a message, dream or intuition, informing you of what’s to come. Listen up! You’ll understand in time. Men and women are slightly out of sync, with women wanting to run around busily while men just want a good meal. Perhaps run out to a nearby restaurant? The urge to press your viewpoint on others is overwhelming, eat a roll instead! Winston Churchill said, “A fanatic is someone who can”t change his mind and won’t change the subject.” Travel is excellent and conversation is fun, provided you’re not campaigning. Health matters improve and it’s a great day to engage in sports, build something, attend a parade or go outdoors for a picnic.

The astrology post affects everyone differently, depending on individual horoscopes. Look to see how this message reflects your life today!

The Trap of Duality

July 16, 2016 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The following is an excerpt from a teaching by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo called “Tools to Deepen in Your Practice”

We see ourselves in a dualistic way. We have very concrete roles as to how that dualism plays out: in the way that we procreate, in the way that we die, in the way that we’re born. We have very exacting ways in which it plays out because of our belief systems, because of the system of duality. And we’ve had a long time to work out the kinks. So, when we believe in physical reality as being essentially real, we can find all kinds of facts and information and people who will agree with us.

And if you wish to avoid awakening to the primordial state, you’ll have lots of friends, because most everyone is locked into that confusion of the five senses. Like a dream. We know how it is when we’re in a dream. We may on some level understand it’s a dreamlike state, but the emotions are so strong. It just pulls us into it. A dream can be very sensual. It can be very alluring. It can be very stimulating in that you’ve had dreams with interesting things that happen and interesting colors, or something. But we’ve had all kinds of dreams. We’ve had all kinds of phenomena as well.

That’s a terrible obstacle. That’s a mean one, oh boy! Because when you are getting ready to generate the deity, you cannot even allow the deity to arise naturally, as it does, from the from the wisdom that is emptiness because your brain has a better idea. That’s unfortunate, because it is that wisdom that we need.

Here in Tantric practice, particularly with the Nyingma tradition, we are considered the ‘ancient’ ones, the oldest. They say, “How many Nyingmas does it take to change a light bulb? Well, none. We all meditate in the dark.” (much laughter). So we are the ancient ones and we like to meditate in the dark.

So in Vajrayana, what is the most precious capacity is that capacity to simply let go the thoughts, the conceptualization, the products of the five senses—you know, all the conceptual proliferations that we’ve built around what we sensed. It is letting go of that. It is opening the senses to allow the view. That is the wisdom that we really work on that becomes the very foundation for any accomplishment that we have on the Path. That’s the foundation for it.