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Buddhist Path of Practice and Study In the Shambhala community, study is coupled with meditation practice to provide an overview of the path of one’s personal development. Study provides an overview of the process of how our minds become tamed through our meditation practices. Study also helps us to understand and contextualize how our mindfulness and awareness practice wakes us up, moment to moment.
It is said that "the dharma is good in the beginning, good in the middle and and good in the end." From the first experience of relaxing on the cushion and allowing oneself to just be, the practitioner
can discover the goodness of dharma, both within him or herself and in the world.The path of the practitioner of dharma is rich with opportunities for self-examination and discovery. Beginning with looking at one's own experience directly in meditation, the practitioner learns about the ways the mind works. Through meditaiton, the practitioner penetrates confusion to experience the naturalness of being awake. Through studying the wisdom of the lineage, the great practitioners dating back to the Buddha, the student is challenged and inspired to discover a direct view of the nature of mind and reality. While there are many opportunities to join with others on the path for practice and study, the journey is personal.
Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche
Extending love and compassion toward others in contemplative practice is a rehearsal for stepping beyond stinginess and self-centeredness in daily life. Eventually our training will give us the power to flip the mind instantly by letting go of the "me plan" and considering the happiness of somebody else, whatever we’re experiencing, wherever we are. In that moment, we are cultivating peace. When we live like this, we feel happier. The reason is simple: because love and compassion are the basis of our consciousness, we thrive when we let them come to the forefront.
Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche
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