Archive Result

Soundfile: 19910727GRSRCedarLake1_01

Filemaker: 19910727GRSRCedarLake01

Duration: 1:32:12

Speaker: Gelek Rimpoche

Location: Cedar Lake, Michigan

Transcriber: Kimba Levitt

Topic: Purification through Avalokiteshvara and Tara mantras

Cittamani Tara initiation

Heruka initiation

Topics covered: embracing human life

[NOTE: TAPE BEGINS IN THE MIDDLE OF A SENTENCE]

…important of all

0:00:07

A. you have been before, right? In the retreats here. I’m sure so that’s why you’re keeping quiet. [LAUGHS] OK.

We have – we try to reach – get some number of purposes but when we say that, don’t – I would like to remind you, don’t expect anything. I really want people to come without any expectations. You do expect something then definitely you’re not going to get anything. [LAUGHTER] So don’t come with expectations but we come with open mind. If you come with open mind there’ll be number of purpose may be able to fulfill.

Number one, there’ll be opportunity to purify our non-virtuous deeds. It’s going to be great emphasize as we always do. It’s going to be. And I’m sorry you had a little bit of problem of getting the schedule straight and even the people who are retreat organizers they have been chasing me around and before the schedule and still somehow I have been not completely comfortable how the schedule’s really going to worked out so that’s why there is — not been a proper announcement of the schedule. Schedule means how it’s going to work.

But as usual in the retreat we will greatly emphasize for purification. Purification done through a – we don’t do much through a physical things which a number of other places do.

[SIDE CONVERSATION 0:02:11

TAPE CUTS AT 0:02:23

PAUSE UNTIL 0:02:28]

And purification will be done through a, a mantra which we in this case we will use Avalokiteshvara. And apparently I realized there’s no Avalokiteshvara thangka here, yet, so it’ll come by tomorrow. So, with Avalokiteshvara and then also, so rebuilding of the energy, etc. through Tara. And this year there’ll be more emphasize on Tara than last – I mean, little more emphasize on Tara then Avalokiteshvara like what we did last year. Little more on Tara because number of reasons. The last two we had more spend time on Avalokiteshvara purification and all this and spent a day on the Tara practice I remember correctly. If I remember correctly. So I been thinking long time, so it’s been a while, we should do a little more Tara and this time building rejuvenation and all this and that. And during about that time — I got the request for Tara initiation through — one of our usual, regular member from – and so they came. I thought well, maybe it’s a good time to do. So there is going to be one Tara initiation but, that is going to be Cittamani Tara. It’s a maha-anuyoga tantra so there’ll be slightly restrictions will be applied to those who take and those who do not take the initiation. But that is one of the problems. There’s another problem of the scheduling not coming straight is we also have an impending of another initiation, Heruka initiation, so that is going to be another problem which going to be in the scheduling. But what will happen is …

[PAUSE 0:04:45

TAPE CUTS TO 0:04:55]

Initiations will be slightly restricted so most probably what will happen is that will take place at the night. So, those who are prepared to stay up two nights in row will probably go through that. Anyway, we come back to that later. So, because everybody cannot be – you know, everybody has to work so that’s why those who work for the initiation will have additional time put in. So that will be night. So, that’s going to – the Heruka initiation will take two days, so it’ll be two nights. [LAUGHS] So two nights andCittamani Tara will probably — it short period so come in sometime during the day somewhere or maybe immediately after Heruka or something I’ll look for. I’m not sure.

So anyway, that, that’s what is going to be. And most of the time as usual we’ll be emphasizing for meditation and also talking about it, discussions, and – oh, I have to apologize. There’s not going to be kung fu this year because one friend of ours, a student, and who’s from Malaysia who’s very good at it, he has to cancel the last minute. Couldn’t make it because of certain emergency in his household. So, so he couldn’t make it and so we have to apologize that. And the rest of them are all in there and as already done this morning I’m sure.

[SIDE CONVERSATION 0:06:57]

0:07:01

A. leads the yoga and S. leads the meditation. And M. going to – to show you some, the Tibetan art. And she’s very good artist. She has done a number of Tibetan paintings and thangkas. And even I have two what she had done. So, as a matter of fact, these two going to be coming here so some of you can see [INAUDIBLE]. And we have management conflict, right?

AUDIENCE: Called conflict. Oh, yeah. Conflict management.

RIMPOCHE: Conflict management. Solution or what do you say?

AUDIENCE: Oh, we’ll find out.

RIMPOCHE: Conflict management.

AUDIENCE: [LAUGHS] Whatever.

RIMPOCHE: OK. And when Allen comes there’ll be some poetry too. (Allen’s coming tonight, right?) So, what else [INAUDIBLE]?

0:08:03

OK, there will be a day of fasting, one day, and that was day we emphasize more on purification and as usual we will do the fire puja at night. Unofficial. As I always say, because people get confused. Then the last day we will do the smoke puja as a, a good luck for everybody. That’s sort of briefly.

And also, during the, during the retreat period we have a number of counselors and counselors are sort of appointed counselors and so, it is appointed counselor, so people who have difficulties and who have some questions – you can also ask question here during the open session – but if you have difficulty of understanding, and even any other problems, so you can talk to the counselors also. So there are number of good counselors. So, I mean, I must say one thing. We have a number of senior friends here. I don’t like to call students, but anyway, senior friends here. Senior in the sense not senior by age but senior by who have been a number of times with us and been studying and doing things. So, I’m really very proud of each and every one of them. They’re really good. And they’re good and effective, helpful for themselves and they begin to help others and it’s really good. So, number of them. So anyway, we have a few names, among them picked it up, you know, like that, picked it up few names so I would like to, to sort of – counselors themselves doesn’t know yet who going to be. [LAUGHS] So I’m going to bring their names down as well as they will introduce themselves. I mean, those who don’t know.

So I have a number one on the list is A. She’s not in yet. She’ll be here tomorrow. Number two I think I have B. Who is B? Who is B? [LAUGHS] So, B. Then I have, (can you help me?) R.

[AUDIENCE INAUDIBLE]

That’s R. And S. I think they know [LAUGHS. INAUDIBLE]. S. SK. Your hand is a little too low. [LAUGHTER]

AUDIENCE: … the doctor.

RIMPOCHE: [LAUGHS] A? OK, who else we have?

AUDIENCE: K.

RIMPOCHE: K.

AUDIENCE: P.

RIMPOCHE: P. Where’s P? OK.

AUDIENCE: And H.

RIMPOCHE: H. OK.

0:11:39

So, but anybody senior you can grab them and talk. We just named a few today, you know. But last time we named different people. This time different, some of them. When we don’t name it here we just sort of, you know, when I’m doing the list and then friends think, “OK, well that’s enough now.” [LAUGHS] Otherwise everybody’s going to be counselor. So anyway, you can grab anybody senior ones around here and so you can talk to them. And each one of them will be very helpful and useful. And for that matter, for any problem that you have. Doesn’t really have to be, “oh, this subject I’m not very much familiar with that. Maybe I cannot ask question.” Don’t have to worry about it. The whole idea is to get some help. Help we need it because we have difficulties. So try to solve the difficulties, whatever help you can get. it doesn’t matter. So if you — know the problem, so you talk with a counselor. They will give you some suggestions and things like that. So the idea is to try to solve the problem.

[SIDE CONVERSATION 0:12:57]

0:13:04

So. That is the idea. We have a number of counselors so that you can talk to the counselors and see. And the counselors, when they have difficulties, and then try to talk to me. And I don’t know. I do not know. I don’t claim to know anything better, but, so we can – maybe two heads put together and come out something a little bit better. So that’s what we do.

And also, we try to have limited people who wants talk to me and please contact K. And that will be during your personal times period and things like that. K will schedule .… that. Yes J.

AUDIENCE: Excuse me Rimpoche. [INAUDIBLE. TAPE CUTS]

0:14:12

And, so, during this period if you try to keep quiet and silent to yourself. Try to listen to yourself little bit and give you time. Sort of, don’t turn on the televisions or radios or something if you have [INDECIPHERABLE]. And also try to keep yourself, and don’t keep on chatting and don’t turn out some big party. So, try to keep little silent. It might be helpful.

[TAPE SILENT 0:14:45 – 0:14:54]

So that much I could remember just now and then — now at prayer session, during this prayer period, — those of you few completely new ones, you may have a little difficulties of not knowing what’s going on. I think we have only very few people who have been – who have not been with either Tibetan buddhism or with me. Do we have only like four or five? Only? Is it?

AUDIENCE: Maybe seven, ultimately.

RIMPOCHE: Huh?

AUDIENCE: Maybe seven.

RIMPOCHE: OK. Those who have not been at all with this group — at all before, can – would you please raise your hand? I’d like to see. One, two. C, you not been before? Looks like…

[TAPE CUTS 0:16:10]

…to please help them. Whoever’s sitting next, try to help them, try to explain what’s really going on a little bit. But don’t talk loud, OK? [LAUGHS] Try to explain a little bit. I mean, if you have difficulties, try—to sort it out and then individually I’ll talk to you later too. So that’s where I think if you move it’ll be easier.

AUDIENCE: Rimpoche? B suggested maybe we could maybe have a sharing group with the new people if they wanted to try and get together. There’s a time we had set aside for sharing groups and B has offered if those of you who are new would like to come like maybe today just to get oriented, to ask questions about that. Does that seem like it will be helpful?

RIMPOCHE: It will be helpful. Thank you. So we begin now. Who’s going to lead? You do.

[TAPE CUTS 0:17:11]

0:17:12

There’s English equivalent. Do you two have the – is that the book? Thank you. There is English equivalent. Since it’s buddhist background, we have taken refuge to buddha, dharma, and sangha, first. And second portion is, it’s more important, generating a good motivation. So here you have to generate good motivation in order to get benefit. So that good motivation is not going to something that say “I’m needed help. Something benefit me.” That is not considered as good motivation. To benefit all beings, all human beings, all sentient beings. So you don’t have to worry yourself because you are part of beings. You also get benefit. So just to benefit all beings I am doing this. Sort of that way every action will do, will be.

AUDIENCE: sang gye chö dang…

[TAPE CUTS 0:18:14]

0:18:15

With that, — those who are new, you have a brief idea, rough idea what we are trying to do. Those who are familiar, OK, there is no problem. But those who are not familiar have a rough idea what we do. So, during those thing.

So let me come back once for benefit of all. So when we say, when we practice, when we do things like that, the number one question rises in our head is what for? And we have to have – why we are doing it for? What for? What are we doing? What we try to – do we try to achieve something? Or is it possible to achieve at all or we just kidding around? Or we have nothing else to do and sort of, you know, would like to do something else? Or what is the reason? What? That is the important thing. I mean, I’m serious. I’m not even joking. [LAUGHS] It’s important you have to ask that question. Ask that question to ourself, to yourself.

[SIDE CONVERSATION 0:19:41]

0:20:10

So asking the question to ourself, what for? And that is important. I think that is the first step. And many of us have answer, which is true answer. And many of us have artificial answer. Artificial answer – well, I call artificial, OK? Why? Because you read, you’re told enlightenment is something we can achieve and that’s our goal. We repeat it. And some say, OK, it is buddhist goal so I like to follow the buddhist path so therefore it’s my goal. It only become artificial because from our heart of heart we really did not point it out what we are seeking. What we want it. There is no problem if people want to see well what’s in there? Can I achieve something with – out of curiosity or whatever it is. That’s also OK. That’s how you enter in. That’s how you do it. But to find what you want it is – it’s important. What is the goal? Why do you practice at all? I mean, this is – I’m not talking about seven days here. I’m talking about every day of our life. Number of you put lot of efforts in, lot of time in, some even want to sacrifice your job or live – or what you call livelihood, or trying to willing to switch and uh be, be, be very – have very simple modest living and then put some efforts in it and what is all for what? It has to be very clear to us. And uh, as long as it’s not clear, we do have a problem for that.

OK, don’t have to buy … [TAPE CUTS OFF]

0:22:30

Buddhism told, saying that Buddhahood is our goal and it’s you can achieve it. It’s true. Buddha introduced that as goal and Buddha said it’s possible to achieve and he himself achieved and number of others achieved so therefore it is true. However, whether it makes sense to me or not it’s different question. We are dealing with ourself. Don’t kid with individual. Just don’t kid. It is no time to fool around with ourself. So, make sure what do we want it?

Maybe you don’t know yet. That is OK. That’s OK. But that’s why it’s learning comes. That is question to you because when we say is there any questions people keep quiet. The reason they keep quiet because they’re not sure, right? Here is another question. Those questions you have. What you want? And so we – I mean, people say spiritually. You want spiritual. We want uplift ourself. We want to bring closer to God, enlightenment, whatever you call it. People do this sort of answer they have. What does that mean? All this sort of thing you ask question. And that is important.

Number of people ask me usually is it good for me to follow buddhist path? I do not know what I have to answer. I have to say politely, “Yeah, good.” Or I have to say politely, “Maybe you like to know what you really want it.” Or something. And that’s what I normally say. Some kind of nice way I say.

But the question really is, is if you know what you want it then you will see what path offers what. And then you can choose your path. Right? Even buddhist path. There are number of different buddhist path. Number of different buddhist path. So, what you want out of them? So that is important. Somebody’s asking me –we’re talking last night, I think. Isn’t it last night? Somebody talk to me and say – they say, what is different between the Tibetan buddhism and (what is it?) Zen or something. Isn’t there anybody last night?

AUDIENCE: Yeah. [INAUDIBLE]

RIMPOCHE: Right. Thank you. So what, what, what J say about that?

AUDIENCE: I only heard the answer. I didn’t hear the beginning of it.

RIMPOCHE: Anyway, so the answer what J give is that Tibetans practice Tibetan buddhism and [LAUGHS] Zen practice [INAUDIBLE]. Something like that. And then he said, second question came, and that is in Art Fair booth, and second question came and he said Tibetan practice Vajrayana and he said fortunately they didn’t ask me what is that? [LAUGHS]

0:26:01

So that’s that. That is the point, you know? Point. So, what we need is our goal and to achieve that goal what path is good. And that’s how you choose the path. Rather than you choose the path sort of say I like buddha and I heard good about buddhism and buddha so I like to go that way. Or, I like or I heard about Hindus so I like to do that because it is — or I like Muslim or Christian or whatever it is. So, I think it is good idea if we know our aim. But what I’m asking you to find out what our goal is, is rather difficult. It is very difficult. You don’t expect to get answers immediately. But it is definitely worth to think. So, so that’s why if you think that way and then you can put more efforts in that and then you become more closer to the goal what you want it.

So Buddha introduced number of different goals. Number of different goals. I mean, one, very common. Every one of us want it. That is, a relief from the pains we’ll be experienced. Whether it‘s physical, mental, emotional. Whatever it is. C spelled it out some. Loneliness. And all this. So, the pains that comes to us and nobody want it. Like it or not, nobody want it. So, that is sort of unquestionable one of the goal that every one of us has.

So, in buddhism, particularly Tibetan buddhism, what they’re trying to do is they’re trying to do get at root level of the pains rather than treating the symptoms of the pain. Materially, people treat symptoms of the pain. Just try to balance with some kind of comfort or, or relief, or attraction or right? Relief, attraction including painting the face altogether. So that’s how the materially

0:29:25

(You didn’t hear M?)

AUDIENCE 1: Painting the face?

RIMPOCHE: Yeah.

AUDIENCE 2: You mean using cosmetics?

RMPOCHE: Huh?

AUDIENCE 2: Using cosmetics?

RIMPOCHE: Or whatever. Using cosmetics or any – this are one way to answer our pains. That’s right. I mean, why people like to put the cosmetics on it? Because they would like to look nice because they – you don’t want to look funny which way we don’t — way in which you don’t like you need to cover that up so that’s why you use cosmetics, right? Otherwise, why they pay so much money for cosmetics? [LAUGHTER] That’s what it is.

0:30:06

So, it is the treating a symptom. There a lot of ways to, right? But the buddha introduced and what they try to get at root level they try to get – I mean looking for cure of it rather than treating a symptom.

So, it’s becomes different level. Different label. Not label. The level one, level two. So some people can manage to go right into the deep and completely clear out and become, you know, enlightened beings. And that’s why that was number one they sell it for. Try to sell it. Buddhists. Buddha tried to sell that as a goal because that is, that is very deep and important, but sometimes difficult to buy. You’re talking about very far away, very distant, that thing. Difficult to buy sometimes because it’s almost impossible to achieve type of thing, right?

Agree or not agree, B. You don’t. You do? OK.

It’s almost become impossible. But what we also forget sometimes is when we go to that far so you’re covering everything different between. So, so even though our goal is we try to go like say, say if we make the, the buddhahood as our aim so we go to that far but however, in-between that we gain a lot of, lot of things. Lot of things we gain in-between. Right? Lot of things. I mean, lot of things. Like, like free from the circle of existence. Love-compassion. Wisdom. All this are comes in-between. Though you’re aiming there, but so you’re not aiming here, but you’re aiming there, but you’re getting it in-between. So that’s why buddha tried to sell that idea as the best idea. So, I mean it is because you get everything in-between. Whatever you wanted. But then for some of us, some people who really don’t have that big heart to be able to buy for it, go for it, so then they set another limited. Instead of going that far, it goes – comes a little bit closer. OK. If you don’t care, if you cannot make it everything possible, but what about yourself alone getting free of all the problems? OK, that is second sort of thing they come down. Oh, a lot of people buy that because it’s sort of something you can achieve – reach.

And some people they say, well, I don’t know anything about. I don’t know anything about it. Well, no, maybe not. Maybe I’m – maybe it’s great but I can’t – I may not be able to achieve that much. So then comes the again, after that, OK, but what about getting better future life? Free. Better future life. And some people even can’t do that. OK, well who knows what happens after that? Who will – who knows what happens so that might not be for me. And then comes, OK, what about improving your life? Improvement. So, they are all there when you introduce buddha state, or stage of enlightenment as goal. They all there but doesn’t show up because sort of gone too far. And then number of us we think, Oh, yeah, that is the goal, it is almost – well, sometime we get there. Maybe many lives later. Maybe. Some people sort of put it that way.

0:34:41

But what’s really happening in-between that you’re getting all this. This becomes sort of closed, short distance aims and all of them we’re having. So, I try to act like Buddha sells me. That idea is a good idea to, to be able to sort of look as our aim. It’ll be … good spiritual aim. You’ll know what you’re aiming for. You know what is really some ideas and you know it can be achieved. You know that’s the way it should go. It’ll be useful. Otherwise, you’re neither here nor there. Maybe this, maybe that. Maybe this. And then you put a lot of efforts in, a lot of energy goes in, but there’s no, what you call it? All the energies you know it’s not sort of channeled properly. It’s not focused. You don’t have focus. I mean, so the energy’s scattered everywhere. Your efforts been scattered everywhere. In a way, we have great energy. In a way we can put tremendous efforts out. But in a way, our effort’s limited. And then we put some here, some there, some there, some here, so neither we get.

We have a saying in Tibetan,

[TIBETAN 0:36:14 – 0:36:16]

That’s what happens. Why you’re laughing?

AUDIENCE: We don’t understand the Tibetan.

RIMPOCHE: Oh. [LAUGHTER] They are – in Tibet people used to – early. I am talking about old Tibet. People used to carry some kind of little basket at the back and that’s called labo. That basket is called labo. And then goes and collect cow dungs. In Central Tibet there’s not too much trees available so we use dry cow dungs to make a fire to make hot water or something, you know? So, people go and collect those. So, sometimes you say, well here, there, here, that side of the mountain, that side of the mountain. You talk so much so at the end neither you get the cow dung from the other side of the mountain nor you get the – nor you have the, the basket of this side of the mountain so you have nothing left. Neither your basket nor you have cow dung. So, all your purpose been defeated. [LAUGHTER] That is the example.

0:37:30

So you try. You put energy here, you put energy there, you scratter ...

AUDIENCE: Scatter.

RIMPOCHE: You scattered everywhere and what do you get? And then we have limited energy and we put all in there and it’s difficult. Life is short. And so, it is important to see the purpose first. I think that’s about enough for that point.

So, let’s say, whatever the purpose you may have it, the question rises …

[PAUSE 0:38:15 – 0:38:31]

OK, the question rises how and what and what step comes first. Right? And that is important. Because if you don’t know, yeah, OK we buy sort of the idea and all this. OK. But what about steps and how, where I begin. Right?

So, where do you begin, J?

[PAUSE 0:39:07 – 0:39:15]

AUDIENCE: Well, for myself I begin to take refuge to beings that are at the stage that I hope to attain so I would think taking refuge as a beginning point for myself. It’s just now becoming to mean something to me so I would have to say that some of this would be artificial answer for me, but as I live with it more I begin to feel that I can have some faith in those who have gone beyond as I, as I kind of work with this more. It’s still an artificial stage though, Rimpoche. I’m getting there though.

RIMPOCHE: I know you’re getting there [LAUGHS]. Does anybody disagree with that? Is there anybody? Huh? I got two hands. Let’s …

AUDIENCE 1: Well, I haven’t taken refuge formally but I found a teacher first and that’s the way it’s worked with me.

RIMPOCHE: OK. Who else then?

AUDIENCE 2: I can’t have a motivation to seek a teacher and take refuge until I’m really clear how much I’m suffering on all levels, including subtle levels and the future.

RIMPOCHE: A lot of people are going to agree with you. I can see a lot of — M?

AUDIENCE: In order to come to that conclusion, I think the first thing is to stop looking outward and for a moment turn the spotlight and look in. And that to me seems to be the start of the whole picture is to look inside and then it’s from looking inside that we realize we wish to change things up. For me, it would be wise looking to someone that already has the attainment, that knows how to …

RIMPOCHE: Oh that’s out look. You’re switching from in to out.

AUDIENCE: Right.

RIMPOCHE: You said spotlight to turn in. And then I said how. You said you turn out.

AUDIENCE: [INAUDIBLE] It’s just watching our mind …

0:41:47

RIMPOCHE: What about appreciating our life? I like to start from there. Appreciating of our life. I rather — maybe the appreciation may be wrong word I’m using. What you call that …

AUDIENCE: Recognition.

RIMPOCHE: Huh? No, no.

AUDIENCE: Embracing?

RIMPOCHE: Yeah. Embracing the life. J.

0:42:28

AUDIENCE: Most people are not embracing life. They’re even too busy with their own suffering. They don’t know what’s wrong with them and …

RIMPOCHE: I don’t have problem with that.

AUDIENCE: Most people are at it just whatever it took me was coming to the teachings and very gradually I’m standing more and more and the benefits of that have turned me around and I wanted to take refuge and I sincerely wanted to have the desire to understand more. But it wasn’t a – it was a slow process because you really don’t know what you want and just - it just comes gradually. It is a lot. This is a very intensive [INAUDIBLE] teaching here and I feel for the people who are here who are new. How I felt in the beginning. It was overwhelming. You really don’t understand so much but you have to give it a [INAUDIBLE]. You can’t expect to really understand as much. It comes gradually but it is a very fulfilling, most wonderful experience and understanding. So, thank you.

RIMPOCHE: OK. So, now, let me sort of put this way. I think one has to begin. What we call it appreciation of life, the technical word we, we introduce in the lam rim, right? But the main, the really true, is the (what you call?) …

AUDIENCE: Embracing.

RIMPOCHE: …embracing the life. Right? Wrong? You don’t agree?

AUDIENCE: I’m not sure what you mean.

RIMPOCHE: No, I mean, the — R.

AUDIENCE: Well…

RIMPOCHE: she sort of give me a huge look … [INAUDIBLE]

AUDIENCE: Well, I guess that I was thinking if you start from the very beginning I was relating more to what Mike was saying where, I mean, if you’re in a place where you don’t even recognize your suffering, I mean then, I mean you have to just stop for a moment and just kind of realize where your life is going. This sucks. I hate this.

AUDIENCE : Right. Dissatisfaction first.

AUDIENCE: Yeah. I think it really starts with this. With the …

RIMPOCHE: That’s true. There’s no objection to that.

AUDIENCE: And then, and then you go, OK, you know, I gotta do something. And then you start to look around and shop and whatever it is that you do. Whatever your process … [BACKGROUND INTERRUPTION]

You know, but it’s not until, I mean, and then you don’t get into, I don’t think, appreciating your worth until like, way after like you’ve decided what your path is going to be and you’re like – you’re like in a place where you can even see that there’s a possibility of a path and even be on it for a little while. At least in my case. I mean, I was on it – I was meditating for a year before I could even think, “ Oh maybe I can handle this.” You know? So, I think it’s – I think it starts with that place where you kind of just wake up and go, “this is my life. What am I doing?” Do you know what I mean?

[PAUSE. AUDIO SILENT 0:45:52 - 0:46:06]

AUDIENCE: I’m confused. When you talked about the goals and you asked the question, “What is your goal?” Didn’t you say that one of the goals would be to avoid suffering or solve problems? But isn’t that the same – and then, so now we’re talking about well how do you solve – how do you reach your goal? So now we’re on to action. And so now I’m hearing that action, one of the actions is to realize what you’re suffering. But isn’t – haven’t you already done that? Isn’t that included in your goal? If you – to look at your life and say my life sucks that’s an action but that’s also your goal to get away from being able to say – from having to say my life sucks.

AUDIENCE: Yeah but that’s, it’s …

AUDIENCE: That’s just what my confusion is.

AUDIENCE: Right, but there’s steps. [INAUDIBLE] You just combine two things…

AUDIENCE: So the goal is also a step. Is that right?

RIMPOCHE: Sure. You already begin, right?

AUDIENCE: Exactly. Once you say my life sucks you’re already on – you’re already taking action.

AUDIENCE: I’m saying that’s for me …

AUDIENCE: Is that right?

AUDIENCE: … that was like the first moment. That’s the first moment of kind of, yeah, that’s right.

RIMPOCHE: No wonder you’re confused. You answered before me.

0:47:28

AUDIENCE: The question was where do we begin? We begin right where we are. Right?

AUDIENCE: Right.

AUDIENCE: What you’re describing.

RIMPOCHE: So, that’s it. So, begins where we are. [LAUGHS] K give the answer. Begins where we are. That’s right.

0:47:45

So, I’m trying to bring to the lam rim stages. You know what I’m try to [LAUGHS] to tell you the truth, what I wanted is the people get on the steps. I don’t want to go very, very far round talking too much. But that’s really – I mean it is important. Absolutely important. D.

AUDIENCE: [INAUDIBLE] … people saying that all these things like realizing your suffering and these kind of happen to you but what you’re saying is where does it begin in the sense of you are taking charge of it. Is this what you’re saying? Because the way to actually begin a conscious path and …

RIMPOCHE: Good.

AUDIENCE: … the first thing you have to do is realize that that’s possible. That the body and mind I have today are capable of it. So that’s where it begins …

RIMPOCHE: There you go. [LAUGHTER]

AUDIENCE: … That’s it.

RIMPOCHE: There you go. Thank you. [LAUGHTER] That’s great help. [LAUGHS] That’s it. That’s really true. [LAUGHS] Yeah, R still have a problem.

AUDIENCE: I felt for a long time that it’s not enough to begin. I think the lam rim needs like some kind of preliminary thing added to it in terms of stages of how it actually works with people in this culture. I think you don’t start with precious human life. That’s all I’m saying is that you actually start with these …

AUDIENCE: Dissatisfactions.

[BACKGROUND CONVERSATION INAUDIBLE]

AUDIENCE: … until you get to a place where you can go, all right. You know, I can do this. It’s possible. I can do this.

RIMPOCHE: Mm, hmm. Y, you have problem? Did you raise your hand or what?

AUDIENCE: [INAUDIBLE] … I was reflecting from my own experience and I think that it kind of worked the other way around. Rather than [INAUDIBLE] and saying, you know, my life’s terrible. It sucks. I didn’t realize how much I was suffering until I began to appreciate …

[LAUGHTER]

RIMPOCHE: [LAUGHS] That’s true.

[BACKGROUND CONVERSATION INAUDIBLE]

RIMPOCHE: We have to listen to Y because I can’t hear you Y. Because people are laughing, you know. [LAUGHS] You are right. You realize how much you are suffering afterwards.

AUDIENCE: No. For me it was like I wasn’t suffering all that much. I mean, it was kind of [INAUDIBLE]. There was a lot of denial but when I began to look at what – instead of looking at perhaps what my life didn’t have or always working towards some goal, which when I attained it then I’d want another goal, um, you know more, more worldly kinds of things but I mean I would – you know, it was more focused on doing this thing and that thing and then I would attain it and I would be really satisfied and then I’d move on. But I wasn’t really suffering greatly but then I began to take a look at what my life could have more meaning. Look at the preciousness and the opportunities and what I did have in my life and what I could do with it and then I think at some point became aware on a lot of other levels afterwards. You know, I mean, wasted parts of my life or having, you know – it cut through a lot of denial and then I became more aware of suffering.

RIMPOCHE: Yeah, denial is the biggest problem too, you know. Really. Anyway, M?

0:51:05

AUDIENCE: Yeah I was going to say that, I think we’re, you know, from the very beginning, from the time we’re born you recognize as suffering. You don’t recognize it as the suffering that you recognize later on. You understand that you’re not happening or something you want. What happens is in the preliminary stages, at least in my life and most at least Western people’s lives is you start looking for the answer out there somewhere. You know, I can have this or I can have this I’ll be happy. I think that where this path really begins is when you start to realize the answer isn’t out there. It’s someplace else. I think it’s the realization that, I just, you know, trying to attain this thing or that thing that it’s not going to bring me the happiness. That’s what I think is the mechanism that triggers the starting stage or establishing something else besides the something out there and I think that’s what turns the individual [INAUDIBLE].

RIMPOCHE: I think so far whatever people been talking here is talking basis on their own personal experience. And I think it’s very valuable and important. I mean, though I’m try to push in one direction. [LAUGHS] But I think really it’s very important and each and everybody have a different experience of that and so I don’t really think, think, this is the way to start. We don’t really think we can go. You know what I mean? People, people begin to pick up its own – sometimes some people realize suffering later as Yael pointed out. Some realize from the beginning and looking for the answer. I think that’s, that’s really true in everything – everything in there, there is truth in it. Definitely true we’re looking outside. Even the child, the moment you’re born you cry and something is not right. And always, you know, that’s always sort of looking out is there. All of them. And also some people don’t feel much the pain but, but later we just, “Wow! I really suffered. I wasted.” Then you look back and that’s also true because the symptoms been treated.

Did you raise your hand M?

0:53:41

AUDIENCE: [DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND BECAUSE OF ACCENT AND BACKGROUND STATIC] Yes Rimpoche. At the same time, I think that sometimes you are in a unique situation or persons by which or when you see situations or persons who have some quietness or relaxing or happiness. And then I think you see at same time and then I think that is needed to at same time there are other possibilities there. That, that also we gain happiness or quietness or satisfaction or something like that. Or spiritual satisfaction. So I need – I think that both are needed.

RIMPOCHE: Mmm, hmm. That sort of what you say is mostly situation in old Tibet used to be like that. Old Tibet where there are a lot of fully, greatly developed people round and you see them and there is sort of becoming example of it and you like it and you try to sort of achieve the way it wanted and somehow that is a lot of them available in that way. And unfortunately, in this, in the West, it is a little less. Little less. But there are wonderful beings around. I mean, yeah, if you look um, in a way there’s an advantage in the West in the, in the modern times because, you know, in the old times you will see somebody wherever, it’s some corner, wherever they’re hiding you will see that person and you don’t have that. In the modern times you’ll see a little more because of the mass media and things like that. Like, I’m thinking like example like His Holiness the Dalai Lama, or Mother Theresa, or a person like that, you know. That type of thing. And so you see also whatever very little you have it is more exposure through medias you can see them a little bit better too, then not like old Tibet.

But also there are people who are keeping quiet in corner somewhere and doesn’t come out. There also a number of them like that. But that is definitely one way of getting it. Getting it through example. Through example. That is the – that is definitely one way of it. And many of the old culture Tibetan, Chinese, Indian are through that way they do come too.

So whatever it is, let us presume, because we have to find way to — I mean, very fact that you are here is giving the opening. Giving opening and giving indication that you’re looking, and you are seeking, and you are searching for it. And that is definitely indication. Otherwise there’s no reason why have to come here, a remote corner of Michigan. [LAUGHS] Really. That’s true. But why you have to come all the way from – especially when you, I mean, when you described and it is a very rustic (what you call it?) rustic place and this and that and all this. And even then with efforts you comes in, it clearly indication that you’re looking in and it already beginned.

0:58:00

So, let’s – doesn’t matter whatever the cause of getting it. So, let us presume it is beginned, OK? So doesn’t matter whichever the way it beginned. OK? So, so once you begin what you do? Let me go to that. [LAUGHS] and D’s – D’s help is great. [LAUGHS]

So then internally where you going to look for? My point is, first, don’t started looking for refuge or anything. Yes, refuge is definitely opening the doorway and this and that, for sure. No problem with that. But what I’m trying to tell here is there has to be reason why you have to take refuge even. Why take refuge? There has to be reason. And just because so-and-so is taking, so I like to take it. No, that – that’s not valid reason at all for refuge. So, let that be later stage. Little later. Why, why rush it? Let that be little later. And say, I really like to introduce, saying that don’t look outside. Look in your life. Really. Look life what we have. Wasn’t K or somebody said, start with what you have. Isn’t it? Didn’t you say that?

AUDIENCE: INAUDIBLE

RIMPOCHE: What?

AUDIENCE: Start where you are.

RIMPOCHE: Is it start or sit? Start right …

AUDIENCE: … right where you are.

RIMPOCHE: … right where you are. Start right where you are. OK? [LAUGHS] OK, that’s the point.

1:00:00

So, what we have is very important life and that let’s begin there. Why I emphasize that? There’s number of reasons. Number of reasons. Because number of people think life’s terrible. Didn’t a number of people said it sucks?

AUDIENCE: INAUDIBLE

RIMPOCHE: Huh?

AUDIENCE: INAUDIBLE

RIMPOCHE: Who said?

AUDIENCE: INAUDIBLE

RIMPOCHE: Huh? Huh?

AUDIENCE: INAUDIBLE

RIMPOCHE: Say that. Yeah, but, it is. It full of problems. Full of misery and full of difficulties. Yet, along with that, there is tremendous goodness in that life too. There is joy. There is opportunity. There is possibility, a capability. Tremendous qualities of the life. So, you cannot push that aside. That is the important point. Important what we have in our hand, which we don’t have to look for outside. Which don’t have to work for. We already have it. And accept that.

And see the good things of the life, too. Don’t see all the bad things. Number of people do that. They see all bad things. I waste all my life. I did this. It’s miserable, terrible, busy. I don’t have time for myself. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. All this problems you raise, right? People do raise. That is all true. They are true. You’re right. You’re absolutely right. You’re true. However, there are good part of it. You also have to accept that.

This provide us base to work with that. If you don’t have this life, then that’s that. You cannot work. No matter how great Buddha might have been, but if you don’t have basic life, so what do you do with Buddha? Nothing. What do we do with meditation? Nothing. What do we do with teaching taking? All these things. Everything. It’s the fundamental base what we have. We have to appreciate that. And how great things in this life we can do.

1:02:40

And particularly our special life. Everybody, every human being, does not have the quality that we have. Whether you believe it or not, I’m really telling you truth. The quality what you and I have here, call in this life, every human beings doesn’t have that. I don’t mean you got bigger nose and they got smaller nose. I mean it’s the quality in that. The quality. Quality is the what we can use with this life and that is our major thing. What we can do with this. Right? And those of us who are interested in the spiritual path can do something with life. Those of people who are not interested in spiritual path at all, they also can do something. You know, they can do a lot of things, great things, but spiritually they can do nothing because they’re not interested. So just because they’re not interested, their quality is cut. Believe it or not, its’ true. So, for us, we have interest. So that itself is provided a quality in this life.

And in addition to that, there is opens. Opens all the spiritual path. The opens to be able to share the experience of the Buddha. So, all this basis are been provided by this life. And technically we give eighteen different qualities in it, right? Eighteen different qualities. Those who are familiar with it, we give eighteen different qualities. So, whether there’s 18, or 19, or 20, or 21, whatever it is, you know, whatever you count, the basic fundamental importantness is this life can, with interest, can provide all the way through. I mean, the opportunity is limitless. Especially today, I mean, with all the parts are sort of wide, wide open. I do not know why people call it kali yuga period, which is sort of supposed to be degenerated age, but to me, it is not degenerated. It is very wide-open great period.

One of the Kadampa teachers used to say,

[TIBETAN 1:05:54 – 1:05:58]

So the one Kadampa teacher has a disciple. So the disciple really began to worry, say, “Oh it’s kali yuga period. The degenerated age and I’m really worried about this and that.” So his teacher give answer, “Don’t worry about the general period what’s happening. Worry about our individual period.” So the general – whatever is happening with general buddhism or anything – it’s not with us. So what we have to see is our individual – the light in our individual life should not go out. Meaning, does not mean you should live, but here meaning the light it illumination the path what you can see. Should not have darkness on that. So whether in general it might be degenerated age, but for us it is one of the best. One of the best period what we have. Really. One of the best period what we have. You can do anything you want to. Any spiritual path you want to pick up. Hindu, Muslim, Buddhism, Sikh, whatever. You know. Anything. From east to the west everything is global together round, you know. Even during the Buddha’s period you can’t do that. All the eastern religions in east and western religions in the west. They don’t mixed up. Together they are. Even from that angle if you look it is great. Great openness. It is a very valuable life.

We may say oh we are born in the terrible time. Lot of people say that too. No, we are born in the great time. This is a great time for us. No matter whatever it is general. We are. Generally, it’s deteriorated. No doubt. No doubt it’s deteriorating. People are all become more trustworthy [SIC]. One try to cheat the other. One try to kill the another. Generally it’s going bad, no doubt, but individually it’s a very good period. Almost we can say it’s never been good like this before. Yeah. [LAUGHTER]. Almost you can say that. Yeah, really. And if we have been good like this before we have wasted tremendous. We got nothing out of it. So, so let’s not repeat that. [LAUGHS] Try to get something, really. For us it’s a great period. So that’s why I say we better (what is?) embrace this life, rather than saying it sucks. Rejecting it. True. Let that be a first step. OK?

1:09:20

OK, now I have to talk to you some another way a little bit more. If you look here just now, those who are not familiar with me, if you look here we looks like – it looks like I been talking, you been listening sort of looks like story type of thing, but you have to make slightly difference with you. It’s not story telling. It looks I’m talking to you. It is I’m talking to you, but what I’m doing along with this, I’m giving you a material for you to meditate. When you say the period what we have is great, this is great opportunity, this is life. OK, if you say, “He said the life has – this is great opportunity.” OK, you have different meaning for that in you. If you think this points what we’re raising, what we’re talking, what we did, and if you try to analyze that within you, and then you will have … different understanding of that life is valuable and it’s great. You have different. And if you meditate on that and then your understanding will be different. Are you getting me? At all? Are you people getting me?

That’s why I been yapping. The reason why I keep on yapping – I’m not yap, but [LAUGHS] why I’m yapping all the time is the material for you to think. I must emphasize once more, I made earlier this morning clear, meditation, concentrated meditation and analytical meditation too. OK? Concentration there a number of different things. One, the most important concentrated…

[SIDE CONVERSATION: Oh, it’s 12. That means it’s 12:30. That means saying the lunch time or something. OK? [AUDIENCE INAUDIBLE] I think so. They’re opening the door and all this. That must be the reason, OK? Let me just finish this. A minute – one minute, C. Let me just finish this.]

1:12:04

The concentrated meditation and analytical meditations, OK? Analytical meditation meaning without analytical meditation the concentrated meditation can only bring you stable mind, which is very important. Stable. Analytical will give you much more supporting and points been established with you. OK, analytical meditation is different than concentrated. Concentrated you may not thinking, or anything of that, is concentration, right? Or concentrating on point. Analytical’s almost thought processing, OK? And try to get the conclusion of the point through your own capacity. There’re two things. Analytical also has two things. One way at the brilliant people’s way of working and the other is – you know in the Tibetan they say, [1:13:10 TIBETAN: ong me and ong du] means intelligent and lesser intelligent, but I don’t want to say that. Brilliant people’s way of working and the other one. [LAUGHS] Like us. Common. OK, thanks. Way of working, right?

The brilliant people don’t need any sort of anything to follow. They started picking up. They started thinking and they started getting the answers themself. That’s brilliant way. They may need a teacher, they may need some consultations, but they can come up by themselves. And for us it’s a little limited for that. So that’s why we have all this teaching and this and this then comes up. So, you sort of follow it. In the old Tibetan system they say,

[TIBETAN 1:14:01 – 1:14:06]

The brilliant people will follow the logical way of thinkings and things like that. They follow that path. And the common people will follow the footstep of the others and draw a little conclusion and their words and little bit sort of things. But still both of them are, are analytical. So, all this yapping business is giving analytical meditations material.

Thank you.

[TAPE CUTS 1:14:43

1:14:46 … start with the protectors’ puja and then we can do …

TAPE CUTS 1:14:53

SILENCE WITH BACKGROUND STATIC 1:14:53 – 1:16:25]

Thank you. So, this morning what we basically discussed is the point is almost – I mean, some things we talked but the point what I try to, sort of try to get across is the (what you call it? Embracing?) the, the life and …

[STATIC AND PAUSE 1:17:05 – 1:17:21]

… and so we raised practically showing how important and valuable in the present life. We briefly touched that. We all know. We all have that. Somehow, we overlook. And we overlook and we just wanted to say, well the life is not that great and terrible and it has not been that great for me, so and forth, we always have that. I’m try to avoid sort of using traditionally we say importantness of life. I mean, it is sort of you make a point, but here I’m try to put you in touch with the life how valuable it is rather than coming through the, the traditional way saying that if today we are animal how pitiful condition I will be. So I’m great that I’m still human being and looking in that way. Instead of that, just to touch, get in touch with life what we have it and appreciate it. And not only that, if you don’t have it, if you don’t’ have that present life how difficult it going to be.

[PAUSE 1:18:51 – 1:9:01]

If you don’t have that life how difficult it’s going to be. So, I mean, you lose – you lost the fundamental basis on which you can function as a spiritual development or as anything., so there’s nothing can do. So, if you have, let’s say, we are very fond of money. We all like money, right? There’s nobody who doesn’t like money. Lot of money. People like money. So if there is a sort of bundle of millions or billions of dollars in cash, somewhere bundled and maybe like fifteen times bigger than our body size and then we have the body on the other hand and say, you make choice what you want. Where will we go? … Think. What are we going to choose? Either you have this body and life or you have those billions in dollars in cash over there. So which will we choose? Somebody may choose the money. [LAUGHTER] But, but what we do with that? How you’re going to use it? Nothing. Right? So the point is, so we do have something very valuable. Much more valuable than that of those billions of dollars in cash. OK.

Now suppose if I tell you the great Tibetan master, Tsongkhapa, said, the human life is more valuable than wish-fulfilling jewel, probably you say, “Oh yeah, Tsongkhapa might have said that.” You might not have registered so much. Yeah, I try to tell you, you have this cash here, you have this body here, make choice. So it shows you how valuable it is. It’s more valuable than that of this billions of dollars in cash. So Tsongkhapa’s right when he said it is more valuable than that of wish-fulfilling jewel. So how we have to appreciate and adopt you have to sometimes think that way. If you think that way then something what we have in our disposal, or whatever you may call it, at our …

AUDIENCE: INDECIPHERABLE

RIMPOCHE: … at our disposal or under your own command, under your own thumb, or whatever it is, or at your credit, as your credit, or for your credit, whatever that is, which one is am I right? As credit what you have is actually it’s very, very valuable. And we intend to forget and overlook. Forget. Because we’re taking granted. And that’s why I say embrace your life.

AUDIENCE: Embrace.

RIMPOCHE: Embrace your life. Not embarrass. [LAUGHTER] OK. Embrace your life. Not only accept it, and appreciate.

[PAUSE 1:23:08 – 1:23:21]

Not only you should appreciate, it is much more valuable than that of billion dollars, it is even more valuable than that of, that of, that what we seen it. As a spiritual practitioner, through this – because of this life you can achieve. You can achieve anything what you want to achieve.

What you want?

AUDIENCE: INAUDIBLE

[PAUSE 1:24:05 – 1:24:14]

Through this life the purpose of the spiritual practice what we talk in the morning can be achieved any level. Whether you want achieve better life, or better future life, or free from the circle of life that continuation of the life after death, birth, after death, death after birth, continuation of that circle. Or even become a fully enlightened beings. All of them are possible to be able to achieve. So, if that is not available, if that is not wish-fulfilling jewel, what else? Is there anything? Anything more valuable than that? Anywhere? If so, please show me. I don’t know. You think there is one more valuable than that, show me. And if you have to show, you cannot show because there is none for whatsoever. So if you don’t appreciate that, it tells us how stupid we are. We have to appreciate.

[PAUSE 1:25:53 – 1:26:02]

So not only appreciate, you just say, “Oh I appreciate you,” and then forget about it. … You have to do something with it. Right? If we have couple of extra bucks we have, what shall we be doing? You probably be consulting some kind of expert, or broker, or something and where should I invest that. How best I can get out of this? I do have this with me. What will I do? How can I get better yield? Should I invest that in real estate? Or housing? Or stock market? If you have a lot. If you don’t have, IRS. Or what is that? [LAUGHS]

AUDIENCE: IRA.

RIMPOCHE: IRA [LAUGHS]

[BACKGROUND CONVERSATION].

1:27:15

IRA. And what else you do? Or the government bond or something.

AUDIENCE: Government bonds.

RIMPOCHE: Huh? All this. Or what? Savings certificate or whatever it is.

AUDIENCE: INAUDIBLE

RIMPOCHE: Anyway, this type of thing you try to read yourself about it and try to talk to some friends about it very seriously and try to pay someone and make appointment and pay someone and get advice. And we do all this. Right? But what we don’t do is we have much more valuable than that. We don’t try to use that at all.

So, our problem of not getting anywhere, any headway in the spiritual path, is one of them is this one. We do have a very valuable something in our hand, yet we don’t bother to do any investment on that. At all. We don’t. We let it go day by day, week by week, month by month, year by year we let it go without any taking use of it. Without making use of it. Let it go, go, go, go. And then it will go continues like water, right? Or like time. We have, we have to do lot of things, right, and the time doesn’t wait whether you do it or you don’t do it. Time goes. We know that, right? We always know it. So we’re always late for deadlines and we cannot and we always behind and because the time doesn’t wait for us. It’s going. As similarly this valuable thing what we have it goes.

Yet, we don’t regret at all. We do not regret. Not only we don’t regret, we don’t even pay attention. Don’t even know it’s going. Suppose if we lost – if we lost ten dollars out of pocket somewhere how much we will yell. [LAUGHTER] We probably drive three times back on the road and try to find out where did it go? Or take another friend [INAUDIBLE]. Maybe two I cannot see it maybe four I may be able to see it. Or all sorts of things we will do.

The great Kadampa lamas used to give example here. They say, you got a bag full of gold dust, however, there is a hole in the bag and you keep on walking and you don’t recognize. But if you recognize the, the gold is going, how much you’ll regret. Kadampa lamas used to give that as an example. But the truth is, is we are wasting more valuable than that of gold. True. The time doesn’t wait. We know that. Our life is not going to wait for us something to do. It’s not going to wait for you forever, at all. It goes.

So, the step one what you have to do is recognition of the value and step two …

[TAPE CUTS OFF AT 1:32:08]

TAPE ENDS AT 1:32:12