A worry in the night may have happened, but unless you’re a very early riser it’s probably over. It’s still group activity time, and someone in the environment is cheerful and upbeat. This person is an inspiration to everyone, and it is important to integrate this one into the team. In “The Seven Samurai” one person made all the others happy with his cheerful disposition. Someone like that is in your environment too. Determine who that person is, and recognize the role that is being played. It’s the reason teams have cheerleaders. W.R.Inge said, “The happiest people seem to be those who have no particular reason for being happy except that they are so.” Are you that person? If not, why not?
The daily astrology post affects everyone. Because individual charts vary, the circumstances outlined in the post will affect people differently. Some will feel this energy in the personal arena, some in finances, some with children or family, some in work and so forth. There are many departments of life. Look to see where the dynamic affects you!
Creativity is married to action and imagination. Three very different partners are working together, and each offers something special. Someone with power is acting with a person who knows how to initiate things. A visionary, a person with far-seeing ability, assists these two. If each person sticks to what s/he does best, it’s a go! No switching talents mid-action. Know who you are and who you aren’t today. Which role are you playing? Igor Sikorsky said, “The work of the individual still remains the spark that moves mankind forward.” Be yourself, and work with a team for success. Don’t get bogged down in emotionalism, which is the main obstacle today.
The daily astrology post affects everyone. Because individual charts vary, the circumstances outlined in the post will affect people differently. Some will feel this energy in the personal arena, some in finances, some with children or family, some in work and so forth. There are many departments of life. Look to see where the dynamic affects you!
“Goodnight sweethearts, sweet dreams. Rumors of my demise on twitter are greatly fabricated as are rumors of my own blog being on its way down.”
The “staff” here at Tibetan Buddhist Altar (TBA) wanted to reassure our audience that readership is up, growing by 10% last month with over 6,500 visits in January alone. Jetsunma is teaching nearly every day live, in real time, on twitter, and we post those teachings here on TBA the same day. We are also working to edit more than 20 years of archived teachings, and offering teachings from other Lineage Lamas. There are “new” teachings offered here daily!
We are grateful for the support of all our readers, and for all the comments and questions. It is Jetsunma’s wish that this blog become a virtual Dharma community where people around the world can be provided with the resources they need, whether they wish to practice Buddhism or are simply seeking practical advice on how to live a happier, more fulfilling life.
Jetsunma is available to all, openly, on twitter, almost every day. She offers her insights, guidance and sense of humor, as well as engages in friendly discussions with people from all walks of life. On January 9th Jetsunma had 3,863 followers, and today she has 4,552, and continues to seek connections with new friends around the world.
Those who do follow her on twitter may be aware that she, like many public figures, also encounters some opposition, but we wanted to share these “stats” to let readers know, as she tweeted, reports of her demise are indeed fabricated.
She took this opportunity to share the following advice:
“This is an opportunity to learn to focus on this point in the time and space grid. I totally recommend living in the particular “probability” your body is floating in. Rest well, wake up shining! Love to you all!”
It is our sincere wish that all these efforts bring some benefit to those that come to share these blessings.
You meet a secret today, and you can feel you’re in over your head. Winston Churchill said, “If you are going through hell, keep going.” It could seem as though a hellish situation is present. Do not stop or stay still, keep going and you will come out the other end. This could involve a mental process, a dream, or a physical situation. Keep your wits and keep going. Love, good humor and attraction continue to play a powerful role in your life. Inspired investing, purchasing and spending can happen today. If you have a good creative idea, go for it! All creative pursuits are favored as are all medical cures. Something can be invented that is a major improvement, and at the exact same time you could say something that makes you feel like a raving fool. Be philosophical. Tomorrow is another day.
The daily astrology post affects everyone. Because individual charts vary, the circumstances outlined in the post will affect people differently. Some will feel this energy in the personal arena, some in finances, some with children or family, some in work and so forth. There are many departments of life. Look to see where the dynamic affects you!
Good afternoon Twitterverse from Barnesville MD where the wind is blowing and gusting hard. And it is freezing cold. We never got any good snow, either. Booo. At least the sky is blue and the sun is out. Hard to believe the year is almost kaput. Let’s hope 2011 is less stressful and much kinder and more giving.
I am paying no attention to the stalker but the Avatars just whine, threaten, lie. I still feel the best method to deal with it is to never watch, never answer and stay true to the Bodhicitta always. I intend to be like water. Powerful but not resistant, so when a sword is stuck in I will not be bothered. I will not be hurt. I will be strong and true to my vocation. This is my vow and promise. I am not going there and will remain stable.
Family making offerings at Kunzang Palyul Choling Temple
Family: What Is the Purpose?
By Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo
Since ordination is so central to Tibetan Buddhism, I am often asked what the point is of marriage and family.
First, I will say that the status of householder is well recognized. A Buddhist householder who upholds Genyen vows is committed to the path to the point that there is a certain degree of renunciation. Not to the degree of bikshu or bikshuni, but still present.
From that description, one can see that the modern ideas of love and marriage are not helpful. Generally we “fall in love” due to strong attraction, sexual desire, the wish to be connected in a profound way. Often there is the biological need to procreate and pass our genes on. Due to strong attraction and desire, we are often compelled or driven to be with someone.
Actually, those are not good reasons to get married. The best reasons are shared goals, shared path, shared capacity both spiritual and intellectual, and the love that is born of respect for one another, understanding of each other’s needs, and a willingness to share life’s ups and downs.
The superior way of marriage is when both parties are committed to the path and to living the life of a Bodhisattva together. The best marriage is the one that supports both parties in such a way as to enhance their spiritual life. To interact with kindness and a respect for each other’s efforts on the path, and to catalyze true effort and result. An example would be one parent “holding down the fort” while the other is in retreat.
In a marriage, both parties should encourage each other to develop their very best qualities, and support each other in uprooting their poisons and abandoning them. The quality of a relationship born of faith and compassion is much different from an ordinary marriage based on material goals. The mutual embrace of a sacred life is deepening, and bonding. And satisfying in the long run.
Such a marriage is capable of bringing into the world children of great promise. By their parents’ teachings, they will come to know truth. By their parents’ example, they will learn to love and respect. These are the children who will be empowered to stand for truth, inner peace, strong wholesome values, and faith.
In short, marriage and family can be powerful agents for creating a better, more balanced world. From generation to generation, therefore, this is a blessing that keeps on giving.
OM AH HUNG BENZAR GURU PEMA AYURJÑANA SIDDHI HUNG HRI
OM AMARANI DZIWEN TAYE SWAHA
The Chime Tsog Thig is a long-life practice of Amitayus and consort, Chendali, revealed by H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche. This is the practice accomplished in Maratika cave by Guru Rinpoche and Mandarava. Mandarava was the first of five main consorts of Padmasambhava, Guru Rinpoche. Said to be an emanation of White Tara, she was born a Princess in the 8th century in Northern India. At age 16, she and Padmasambhava together practiced in union in the cave of Maratika, fully realizing the longevity practices of Amitayus that had been hidden there as termas. The realization that came from this practice changed the course of spiritual history – making it possible to break the cycle of death & rebirth while in a human body. That practice, revealed by H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche, is known as “Chime Sog Thig.”
On this holiest of days, Lha Bab Duchen, through the great kindness of my Teacher, Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo, I had the good fortune to be able to sit in her prayer room for a short time of practice. At the end of the practice, I looked up to enjoy the great splendor of Jetsunma’s many objects of devotion — the statues, thangkas, crystals, and relics.
It was then I noticed that a silk sash from the thangka of Guru Rinpoche which hung in the center of the main altar, had moved to drape over the crown of a White Tara statue to its right. And then I saw that the katag that hung on the picture of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche had somehow moved to its left to also gently drape on the crown of the same White Tara statue. Windows were all closed, there was no fan or breeze in the room to explain this event.
It was astonishing, as though both Guru Rinpoche and His Holiness were blessing and protecting White Tara’s presence among us, who is Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo herself. Eh Ma Ho!
Recounted by Ariana Chantal, personal attendant to Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo
