When we are using this term ‘basic goodness,’ we are talking about our inherent completeness.
Karma moves in two directions. If we act virtuously, the seed we plant will result in happiness. If we act non-virtuously, suffering results.
Caring for others is the basis of worldly success.
Shambhala existed in Tibet and has been continued over the years, and now it is in the West. At its core, it is very much dedicated to the basic theme of benefiting others.
There are no boundaries-only possibilities.
Being fooled into trying to make things work out for ‘me’ is called samsara.
It is said that if our intention is to help others-even if we are unable to follow it through-we will never have any regret. Regret is a result of trying to make “me” happy.
The first thing you have to do is acknowledge the basic and fundamental goodness of all beings. If you don’t, then you are going to have conflict. That’s at the core of Shambhala.
The wise are balanced, and the foolish are extreme.
I would say courage first; then wisdom, which is a sense of knowledge and confidence; and also the wish and desire to uplift. The underlying notion is “How do I help?” That attitude really is a spiritual journey and a path.
Our mind is always subject to being distracted by thoughts of what happened in the past and ideas of what could happen in the future, but the living experience is what is happening NOW.
The nature of our mind may be displayed in many ways, but Ashe is the fundamental basis.
When we are certain that the way to accomplish our own wishes is to help others, we have no regrets.
I think there is a tendency for people to become more isolated as they move along a spiritual path. With more development, people get more isolated. Also, as they have more wealth, they get more isolated.
As a leader, you have the choice to determine what you are going to do and how you are going to engage others. You can decide to act compassionately regardless of what the weather is – whether it is cloudy or sunny – or whether things are inspirational or not.
A book very much is the center of the road, so people always can refer back to it.
Part of the notion in Shambhala teachings is that everybody can live their lives so they get weaker and more stressed out as they go along, or so they get more fortitude and strength.
Initially, you have to live a period where you are developing your attitude. I would consider that a meditation: determining what you want to do. You have a period where you meditate and you get the strength.
A lot of people do their practice. They meditate on compassion. Then they yell at people afterwards. NThat is not quite working. One of the things I try to emphasize is contemplative meditation – bringing your thought and intention into meditation.
A lot of people talk about the spirituality of Buddhism, and it is a spiritual discipline. But in Shambhala there also is a notion that you have to be synchronized with both heaven and earth.