Advancing on the path
As one progresses further on the path, the potential for transformation expands both in nature and acceleration. While the practice may yield personal benefits, the essence of the Buddhist path transcends individual achievements. Deepening the practice extends into various aspects of life, from personal relationships to its integration into our professional endeavors. Whether through annual commitments to retreats or establishing a more ‘formal’ relationship with a teacher, the exploration of options offers diverse ways to hasten the transformation process. Recognizing the preciousness of human life and the finite nature of time, employing skillful means to accelerate our transformation for the benefit of others becomes the cornerstone of a robust Buddhist practice.
Deepening
In contemporary times, the entry point into Buddhism has become remarkably diverse compared to its initial introduction to the West. While the intellectual allure of Buddhism has attracted many armchair enthusiasts, the true power of Buddhism lies in its practice. Taking refuge in the three jewels of Buddhism doesn’t necessitate exclusivity from other traditions. However, it’s through deeper exploration that the richness of the practice unfolds.
Learn how people deepen their practice.
Other Practices
The depth of Buddhist practices surpasses mere meditation, encompassing a spectrum of activities from chanting to visualization. This diverse range of practices serves as a means to cultivate the qualities of wisdom and compassion, offering varied approaches tailored to the unique needs and preferences of individuals.
Learn about the diversity of other practices.
Integration
The proof of the practice extends beyond mere peace or intellectual realizations; it manifests in the way it is embodied in our daily experiences. Whether it’s the routine task of washing dishes or seamlessly integrating the practice into the professional workplace, its vitality becomes evident in our interactions with others. The essence of the practice comes to life in the nuanced and practical application within the fabric of our everyday lives.
Learn how the practice is integrated into daily life.
Relationships
With the central tenet of nurturing wisdom and compassion within ourselves to benefit all others, it’s evident that the transformation of practitioners’ relationships takes center stage. As our spiritual maturity evolves, the quality of our relationships becomes a reflective mirror to that maturity.
Learn about the impact on relationships.
Personal Adversity
In addition to influencing our interpersonal relationships, the potency of teachings and practice manifests in how we navigate personal adversity. Whether grappling with addictions or facing the challenges of cancer, the transformative impact of the practice on such intense forms of suffering becomes a testament to our spiritual maturity.
Learn about how people manage personal adversities.
Role of Teachers
The role of the teacher remains a highly debated subject in Western Buddhism. The influence of power structures and capitalist motivations has understandably led to a diminished perception of this role. However, it remains a topic worthy of exploration, particularly when contemplating the pace of our spiritual maturation and navigating the subtleties of the ego within the context of spiritual practice.
Learn about their role from the student’s perspective or what they have to say on the subject.
Fruit of Practice
Profound transformations in lay practitioners may not always be overtly witnessed or discussed, yet they undeniably exist. Many individuals, while remaining modest about their spiritual maturity, occasionally reveal the depth of their transformation through the quiet confidence they exude.
Learn about what spiritual maturity may look like.
Worldview
How does Buddhist philosophy and practices support the global challenges that we are facing ? From political polarization to climate change, understanding the nature of phenomena and having a sustainable personal response to these global challenges can make the difference between apathy and healthy engagement.
Learn how global issues are framed.
Retreats
While perpetually challenging within the constraints of a modern lifestyle marked by insufficient time and resources, the concept of a retreat as a vessel to deepen one’s practice remains a cornerstone of Buddhist philosophy. The opportunity to delve into the profound realms of study and meditation that a retreat affords serves as a tangible and experiential return on investment for one’s spiritual practice.
Learn the importance of this container.
Death and Reincarnation
While not the most popular topic for contemplation, death and reincarnation are integral parts of the Buddhist canon. How practitioners navigate and engage with these subjects as part of their practice becomes a bridge that we all must cross. For many, discussing these matters within the context of the relative material world suffices. However, for others, delving into these subjects can represent the final and ultimate expression of their practice.
Learn about this important subject.
Enlightenment
The concept of enlightenment in Buddhism often faces challenges in translation, especially in the context of the modern landscape. Frequently, contemporary terminology used by some teachers refers to true liberation in both the relative and ultimate senses. How practitioners engage with and grapple with this concept becomes a pivotal part of their journey, offering a glimpse into the profound possibilities that unfold within the realm of enlightenment.
Learn about the possibility.
Practitioners with over 15 years of experience
Ben
In his reflections, Ben traces his journey of self-discovery and spiritual exploration. Raised in a Christian family, he found himself questioning traditional beliefs during his teenage years, particularly during confirmation. Drawn to the promise of a universal truth, Ben pursued science, studying material science and delving into quantum theory in graduate school. However, the complexity and lack of simplicity in scientific explanations left him unsatisfied. Amidst his intellectual quest, Ben encountered Buddhist philosophy, initially exploring connections between Buddhism and environmental science. A friend suggested he read Buddhist books, leading him to a profound connection with the teachings of the Buddha, especially through texts like "The Night on the Old Pathway." At around 23 or 24 years old, Ben officially identified as a Buddhist.
Genjo
Genjo's journey began in a family disconnected from religious traditions, shaped by a scientific worldview. Intrigued by the origins of inspiration and insight, he embarked on a spiritual quest during college. A transformative encounter with an English teacher, Jim Chambers, introduced him to the classical humanistic tradition, prompting profound questions about the sources of creativity and wisdom. Initially drawn to science, Genjo's quest led him to Buddhism, which offered a harmonious blend of spiritual practice and scientific inquiry. Engaging with a Vinaya teacher at UCLA's College of Oriental Studies, he discovered the fusion of social activism and spirituality through a Zen priest who had evolved from a Christian missionary to a Vietnam War protester.
Bruce
I would go to bookstores and actually the first book a guy recommended to me was, um, Sex, Spirituality and Ecology by Ken Wilber. And it's a thick, rough going read, right? But I dove into it and it just kind of really opened me up and I thought, okay, I'm going to go further. And I started reading other stuff of his and of course he talks about Buddhism and the relative and the absolute and, you know, these kind of things in there. And one thing led to another. I picked up a book by showing him Trungpa, uh, spiritual materialism, I think it was. And I read two or three of his others, uh, and then I found a book by Sylvia and became the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, and which is written in even more plain English than Trump was even.
Michael
Michael delved into Eastern traditions, studying with various teachers, including a yoga master who deeply influenced him. Becoming a certified yoga teacher and massage practitioner, he aimed to help others recognize the unseen energies that influence mind and body. Encountering Buddhist teachings, specifically in the Vajrayana tradition, Michael delved into understanding the nature of the mind and one's true self. The teachings prompted him to question the nature of perception and explore the interplay between thought and reality. The Buddhist tradition became a guide for settling the mind and recognizing one's absolute identity. Encountering Buddhist teachings, specifically in the Vajrayana tradition, Michael delved into understanding the nature of the mind and one's true self. The teachings prompted him to question the nature of perception and explore the interplay between thought and reality. The Buddhist tradition became a guide for settling the mind and recognizing one's absolute identity.
Ani Palmo
Ani Palmo, the director and resident teacher of Song San Gampo Buddhist Center in Lakewood, Ohio, shares her spiritual journey from a Catholic upbringing to discovering Tibetan Buddhism. Growing up in Garfield Heights, a suburb of Cleveland, Ani Palmo navigated her Catholic education with a sense of dissatisfaction, grappling with the teachings and treatment of women within the faith. Her exploration led her through various spiritual traditions, including New Age practices and Zen Buddhism in Japan, but she found them lacking in depth and spiritual fulfillment. It was during a retreat in Southern Thailand that she encountered Theravada Buddhism, which resonated deeply with her, offering a methodical approach to developing inner qualities.
Lama Thupten Rinpoche
Lama Thupten was always drawn to meditative practices, even before they were formally defined as such. He lived in many places throughout his life, but one of the most significant was Selma, Alabama. Thupten witnessed the brutality of racism firsthand, but he also found solace in nature and solitude. Even as a child, he spent a lot of time alone, observing the world around him.
Linda
Retired Lawyer from Portland, OR. In the fall of 2004, a friend asked me to attend with him and I did. The first time I went, I knew I would return. Not sure I would call that experience knowing this was the path for me; what I knew at that point was that being able to stop talking, to be away from being an “expert”.
Geshe Denma
Geshe Denma Gyaltsen was born in the Dolpo region of northern Nepal. In 1981 his father brought him to Menri Monastery in India, regarded as the most important Bön monastery, to begin his program of study toward the Geshe degree.