Resolutions for contentment

With the coming of 2012, Tibetan Buddhism is easily accessible, even in Adelaide! Here are some teachings from Khentrul Rinpoche to get us on the right track in the new year.

What is meditation?
Meditation is not just about being calm and quiet, it has a broader brush. When you meditate, do it to benefit all sentient beings (including yourself).

Meditate to develop:

• compassion
• wisdom
  
• love

If you are mindful, you will be more happy because you will be stronger and more stable. Being strong helps you to recognise and accept pain rather than denying it.

You need to understand and be mindful of the nature of impermanence. This will help you to stop predicting and to know reality.

In 2012?
Give your resolutions a sense of urgency. Every day we 'die' little deaths (we are always changing). Actually dying is a 'big death'.

• Do important things rather than silly things.
• Prepare for death and you will know what you are going to do with your life. This gives you motivation for your resolutions. Motivation is important because of cause and effect.
  
• Meditate on impermanence (What? So what!).

6 perfections
Practise the 6 perfections:

1. generosity - be mindful of opportunities
2. ethical discipline - right things you try to do (right intention!)
3. tolerance - patience (not following your ego)
4. diligence - inspiration, courage (not wasting time and energy)
5. concentration - you can control your mind
6. wisdom - increase as an outcome of the other 5 practices
   

Practising the 6 perfections will mean you always make the right decision! (and develop extraordinary mind)

When the 6 perfections become perfect they are bodhisattva.

Don't forget the purpose and motivation of meditation.

Our mind is universe. Hari om.