Meditation, Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism

Posts on the meditation classes

given by Venerable Toby Gillies

These essays explore some of the topics we cover in our introductory meditation classes and some of the subjects examined in our Buddhist meditation classes. The perspectives are drawn from the Tibetan Buddhist teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Geshe Thubten Loden.

Pick any topic that may interest you, they have links to any other related topics. The most recently posted is always at the top.

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Meditation

Some of these articles focus on how to meditate. They range from an overview to a detailed explanation of the stages of concentration. Clear concentration provides a sound basis for greater understanding. We gain further insight through the practice of wisdom. Several posts discuss the benefits of integrating meditation with wisdom.

Meditation itself is not dependent on any form of religious belief. Whatever your beliefs you can benefit through the practice of meditation. We can incorporate the practices into traditional religions and also secular and scientific views of the world.

Buddhism

The source of knowledge presented here is the teachings of the Buddha. This Dharma (truth) aims towards freeing one from suffering and the cause of suffering. The truth delivers an experience of ever greater happiness. The pinnacle is the constant bliss and peace of enlightenment.

There has been interest in Buddhist teachings in the West for the last forty years. Western science and psychology have been enriched. They have used Dharma teachings on meditation and mindfulness. Scientific verification has given confidence in approaching meditation practice.

Tibetan Buddhism

One of the greatest influences of Buddhism in the West has been Tibetan Buddhism. Tibet’s Dalai Lama has interacted with leading scientists. He has also established regular conferences with academics in psychology and philosophy. This has enriched our modern understanding. Elements of the Tibetan tradition have helped a better understanding of the mind. Meditation and mindfulness are now common.

Tibetan methods of investigating reality use formal logic. They engage in systematic debate and test this with meditation. This wonderful tradition of Buddhist practice is now finding expression in the West.

Happiness: why meditation makes you truly happy

Happiness and meditation What role does meditation have in producing our quality of life. How can learning to meditate contribute to being happy? Happiness - of the true, genuine, deep and lasting kind - is the birthright of every being that lives. Our deepest...

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