Tibetan Buddhism: The Elegant Mind

Sometimes, as our teachings and practices 'sink in', what takes root is a particular 'cue' of sorts . . . a thoughtful idea that now resides in the mind . . . a comfortable, transformative arising 'Dharma insight' . . . a key that works to divert an approaching mood or methodologically helps in a moment of confusion or anxiety.

For some it might be a vision, an insight, a concept . . . for others a quote or a recollection of a place, person or experience bringing about a 'knowingly' calmed sense or feeling. It's a Gnosis, a direct intuitive perception and, regardless of the form it chooses to present itself, it is a clear, mindful and empowering truth . . . and it is ours, a 'product' of our evolving consciousness.

This presentation leads us to consider the operational presence of these Dharma Doorways, and in so doing, to perhaps identify those of our own.

(Length: 19 minutes)

Written and shared here by Mark Winwood, a member of the Contemplative Psychology teaching faculty at Naropa University (Boulder CO), with music composed and performed by the renowned SF Bay-area musician Bobby Vega.

contact: mwinwood@gmail.com

Beneath the Bodhi tree, as the morning star rose, the veil of human illusion dissolved like mist. The boundaries of Siddhartha’s skin vanished, revealing the universe not as separate fragments, but as a single, luminous tapestry where every creature's sorrow and every flower's joy flowed together.

In that breathless moment, the heavy burdens of desire and fear fell away, and he stepped out of the cycle of shadows to awaken as the Buddha—his mind as vast and unshakeable as the sky.

Here is a luminous account of the 'suchness' experience of the Buddha's enlightenment, as related by the Avatamsaka (aka Flower Garland/or Adornment) Sutra . . . 

-- In the Sutra's spirit, as you share in it, please consider how your own consciousness has access to the same boundless ‘potentials’ Siddhartha embodied under the Bodhi tree; let your imagination soar. 

(Length: 13.5 minutes)

Written and shared here by Mark Winwood, a member of the Contemplative Psychology teaching faculty at Naropa University (Boulder CO), with music composed and performed by the renowned SF Bay-area musician Bobby Vega, in collaboration with Chris Rossbach.

contact: mwinwood@gmail.com

Reflection upon a foundational Diamond Sutra verse yields a clear and relevant message to those on the Mahayana path: Each and every sentient being is equally worthy of our attention, caring, cherishing, virtuous intentions and actions.

This understanding -- from which the great mind of Equanimity, compassion's fertile ground, arises and abides -- is profoundly empowering. 

Feel free to allow your most inclusive visions to emerge and clarify, discover and embrace perspectives beyond your (no longer) comfortably confining mind boundaries, let your imagination soar . . .

Sentient beings come in all bodies, shapes, colors and sizes . . . from unwanted insects to the beloved being(s) standing before us. 

(Length: 11 minutes)

Written and shared here by Mark Winwood, a member of the Contemplative Psychology teaching faculty at Naropa University (Boulder CO), with music composed and performed by the renowned SF Bay-area musician Bobby Vega in collaboration with Chris Rossbach.

contact: mwinwood@gmail.com

Indra’s Jewel Net is a profound metaphor from Hindu and Buddhist philosophy representing the infinite, intra-connected and interpenetrating nature of all reality. 
 
For your consideration, here are some characterizations of trees as they are: vital arboreal participants in the essence of Indra's metaphorical jewels.
 
Each tree, as part of the ecosystem reflects the entire universe  (just as each jewel in Indra's Net reflects every other jewel and the net as well), accordingly, every individual tree reflectively contains the entire forest environment, i.e., their 'Net'.  
 
While separate entities, no tree is isolated; each is a microcosm of the whole, encompassing the sun, rain, earth,  sky, etc. within its interdependently shared existence.
 
(Length: 14 minutes)

Written and shared here by Mark Winwood, a member of the teaching faculty at Naropa University (Boulder, CO) and curator of the Tibetan Buddhist study/practice group 'Chenrezig Project' . . . with music composed and performed by the renowned SF Bay-area musician Bobby Vega.

contact: mwinwood@gmail.com

As much as Tibetan Buddhism is an intrinsic aspect of the Himalaya, so too are those mysterious beings known to the world as the Yeti. 

Recalling the devastating earthquake(s) that struck Nepal more than 10 years ago (April 2015), here's a "might have been" tale for your consideration.

(Length: 16 minutes)

Written and shared here by Mark Winwood, a member of the teaching faculty at Naropa University (Boulder, CO) and founder/curator of the Tibetan Buddhist study/practice group 'Chenrezig Project' . . . with music composed and performed by the renowned SF Bay-area musician Bobby Vega.

contact: mwinwood@gmail.com