Mindfulness Meditation Centers

Our lives depend on hope. If you have hope, you’ll be able to overcome problems you face. But if you’re without hope, your difficulties will increase. Hope is linked to compassion and loving kindness. In my own experience. I’ve faced all sorts of difficulties in my life, but I never gave up hope. Also, being truthful and honest is a basis for hope and self-confidence. His Holiness The Dalai Lama Pictured below the meditation room Quiet Mind Mountain Retreat in Julian, California.

Patience - The 4 Principles of Positive Training Never retaliate when you are harmed. Always remember the four principles of positive training , which are: if someone abuses you, do not abuse them in return; if someone gets angry with you, do not get angry with them in return; if someone exposes your hidden faults, do not expose theirs in return; and if someone strikes you, do not strike them back. If someone criticizes you, picking on your most sensitive points, or angrily i...nsults you with the most offensive language, do not return like for like, no matter how difficult it is to bear. Practice patience, and never give way to anger. Take it positively, and use it as a chance to let go of your own pride. Practice generosity and compassion by giving the victory to others and being happy to lose. Allowing others to win is a characteristic of all Buddhist paths. In fact, what is there to be won or lost? From an absolute viewpoint, there is not the slightest difference between winning and losing. ~ Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche www.mindfulnessmeditationcenters.com May you be happy, may you be well, safe, peaceful and at ease. Please feel free to friend request, comment on, like and share our daily posts. Mindfulness Based. Wise and Inspired Non-Dual Guidance and Compassionate Mentoring. In person, by phone, or Skype: 941.416.1890 or [email protected] Instagram: mindmichael Blog: www.mindfulnessbeyondtherapy.com

May all be auspicious, on this full moon day the Buddha attained enlightened and spoke these versus; Through many a birth in samsara have I wandered in vain, seeking the builder of this house (of life). Repeated birth is indeed suffering! O house-builder, you are seen! You will not build this house again. For your rafters are broken and your ridgepole shattered. My mind has reached the Unconditioned; I have attained the destruction of craving. ... Siddhrtha Gautama Jaravagga: Old Age translated from the Pali by Acharya Buddharakkhita May we all be inspired by his example and follow in his footsteps. Sarva Mangalam!

We need a sense of the oneness of humanity. It’s because I cultivate this that wherever I go and whoever I meet I regard as just another human being; a brother or sister. We seven billion human beings are essentially the same. We do have differences of nationality, colour, faith and social status, but to focus only on them is to create problems for ourselves. His Holiness Dalai Lama Art: Lord Chenrezig Ben Christian

Sacred Sundays: How to Be Free of Anxiety and Experience Immovable Peace with Michael Gregory Sacred Sundays: How to Be Free of Anxiety with Lama Michael Gregory at 8AM PST In the same moment, in the same place...... In anger, your ego will demand that reality be different than it is. In anxiety, you will create a projective future to worry about that is so awful that you believe you couldn’t handle it. Because you did not fully cultivate and refine the ability to observe emotional mood states come and go without attachment you will suddenly find that you have become the person you never wanted to be. There is no need to be frightened out of your wits by the monsters of your own making. No medication will save you. You must learn how to use the innate power of your mind. You are not temporary emotional states, nor do these states belong to you - I repeat and say again - emotional states are not you or yours. Stop seeking different states and you will finally see that emotional states are illusion-like waves on the ocean of unchanging awareness. As long as you live, keep learning how to love all that rises and falls on the playgrounds and fields of conscious awareness - for all that appears is inseparable from the primordial and luminous nature of mind itself. The Return of Sacred Sundays: The Emotional Elegance Series: How to Be Free of Anxiety Each year I present a series that we call Emotional Elegance. Emotional elegance is shorthand for learning how to not to have anger, anxiety, guilt and depression interfere with your life. Practical skills that have evolved from the Buddhist traditions will be offered with pragmatic and easy to assimilate teachings on bringing an end to destructive emotions through mindfulness and highly effective cognitive behavioral techniques. All are welcome to attend by generosity only. To join our weekly classes online sign up: https://mindfulnessmeditationcenters.com/online-learning/ For Mindfulness Based Guidance and Emotional Elegance Coachimg: Mindfulness Based. Wise and Inspired Coaching, Guidance and Mentoring. In person, by phone, or Skype: 941.416.1890 or [email protected] http://mindfulnessbeyondtherapy.com

Sacred Sundays: How to Be Free of Anxiety with Lama Michael Gregory at 8AM PST How can we trust the mind that sees things so differently in different moods? In the same moment, in the same place...... In anger, the ego will demand that reality be different than it is. In anxiety, fearful identity will create a projective future to worry about that is so awful that it will believe that you couldn’t handle it. In depression sorrowful identity will create non-existent needs that you are helpless to do anything about. In guilt, shamed identity will irrationally decide that something so wrong has been done that our value and worth as dignified human beings has been diminished. Because the ability to observe emotional mood states come and go without attachment has not been fully cultivated and refined, a person may suddenly find that they have become the person they never wanted to be. There is no need to be frightened out of your wits by the monsters of your own making. No medication can stop this. Each person must learn to use the innate power of their mind. A person is not temporary emotional states, nor do these states belong to them - repeat and say again - emotional states are not personal. Stop seeking different states and the mind will finally see that emotional states are illusion-like waves on the ocean of unchanging awareness. As long as we live, May we keep learning how to love all that rises and falls on the playgrounds and fields of conscious awareness - for all that appears is inseparable from the primordial and luminous nature of mind itself. The Return of Sacred Sundays: The Emotional Elegance Series: How to Be Free of Anxiety Each year I present a series that we call Emotional Elegance. Emotional elegance is shorthand for learning how to not to have anger, anxiety, guilt and depression interfere with your life. Practical skills that have evolved from the Buddhist traditions will be offered with pragmatic and easy to assimilate teachings on bringing an end to destructive emotions through mindfulness and highly effective cognitive behavioral techniques. All are welcome to attend by generosity only. Join us on zoom or Facebook Live 8AM PST.

Sacred Sundays: Freedom from Desire and Delusion with Lama Michael Gregory This weeks teaching offers insight into how through mindfulness of breathing and behavior modification, we can free ourselves as of ignorant desire and aversion. Join us every Sunday at 8am for healing, transformational and inspiring Buddhist teachings. Michael will directly address the suffering and challenges we face and how this is the path toward freedom and awakening. ... Make this a mindful and compassionate time in your life by intentionally transformimg your life in these challenging times. Classes are led by Buddhist Teacher Lama Michael Gregory, who teaches how to be in this world but not of it, bringing the practices of non duality into vivid life examples of daily life experiences, relationships and the challenges we face. Classes focus on the development of true mindfulness, freedom from destructive emotions, meditation, loving kindness and gentle forgiveness towards ourselves. Sign up for Mindfulness In Challenging Times: https://mindfulnessmeditationcenters.com/online-learning Thank you for your generous donations. All donations go to Mindfulness Meditation Centers which is a non profit organization, that through the generous contributions of our members is able to share the dharma across the world with all, regardless of financial capacity.

Join us at 8am today for Sacred Sundays: A Clear Path to Healing with Lama Michael Gregory

Join us tomorrow at 8am PST for Sacred Sundays: The Clear Path to Healing with Lama Michael Gregory "Let's start by stop talking about the other as out there separate from ourselves. "We cannot speak of them, only our version of them. It is time to open your heart. It is time to face yourself. It is time to take responsibility. It is time to love yourself. It is time to awaken from this slumber. It is time to be truthful. It is time to be vulnerable and open your heart once ...more." Join us each Sunday for healing, transformational and inspiring Buddhist teachings. Lama Michael Gregory will directly address the suffering and challenges we face and how this is the path toward freedom and awakening. This weeks class focuses on developing deep and true compassion for ourselves and others and recognizing the pitfalls of codependency and Make this a mindful and compassionate time in your life by intentionally transformimg your life in these challenging times. Classes are led by Buddhist Teacher Lama Michael Gregory, who teaches how to be in this world but not of it, bringing the practices of non duality into vivid life examples of daily life experiences, relationships and the challenges we face. Classes focus on the development of true mindfulness, freedom from destructive emotions, meditation, loving kindness and gentle forgiveness towards ourselves. When: 8am PST - 10am PST Where: Facebook Live or Zoom or Live from Quiet Mind Retreat Julian California Join our live zoom class and online mindfulness classes at: https://mindfulnessmeditationcenters.com/path-1-signup/ Taught on Facebook live from Quiet Mind Mountain Retreat every Sunday at 8am PST in Julian, California.

The Clear Path to Healing My client: "I think I'm finally ready. I'm ready to move on with peace in my heart. I want peace of mind. I want forgiveness. I want closure. Reconciliation. But, how?... These relationships are so strained. It's so broken. I want there to be peace, but I just don't know how or where to begin. I think I might be ready. What do you think? Where should I start? I'm ready to listen." I offer... "Let's start by stop talking about the other as out there separate from ourselves. "We cannot speak of them, only our version of them." Listen carefully: "For every person you cannot get along with, there is a part of yourself that you fail to see, recognize and understand. Turn and face yourself now, or you will meet these same reflections with others in the future. It is time to look in the mirror. It is time to be transparent. It is time to stop rationalizing and defending your right to be in pain. Stop with the accusations. Stop with the blame and accountability. No more names. No more trying to diagnose them with mental health labels. Resist the urge to have your friends agree with you in negativity. All of this helps nothing - it only reinforces the pain. All of this keeps you separate from what needs so much care, so much attention - yourself. It is time to open your heart. It is time to face yourself. It is time to take responsibility. It is time to love yourself. It is time to awaken from this slumber. It is time to be truthful. It is time to be vulnerable and open your heart once more." Start here: Write down what you think is wrong about the other person. Study that for a minute. Now, look in the mirror. Then ask yourself, can you see any of yourself in what you've said about the other? What we reject in others is all too often what we refuse to look at or deny in sum or in part in ourselves. That begins the Clear Path to Healing - when we see that we are not so different afterall. With Palms Together In Loving Kindness Metta Michael Gregory

All People Are Pure Potential Never Give Up On Anyone When you are finally right about people is when you understand this: that all people are pure potential. ... That is not just a motivational statement. Anyone can truly change, there is no obstacle except your beliefs about them or their own beliefs about themselves. It is our job to hold ourselves and others accountable to their endless potential, and not to our judgments. Behaviors can be terrible, even toxic. People are not. No matter what they've done. No matter what you've done - a person's essence can never be reduced to their behaviors. People are pure potential, and nothing they can ever do or say can change that. Nothing you have ever done or have ever said can change your potential either. By accepting someone's potential for change does not mean that you approve of their past or present behavior. By accepting your own or someone else's potential, we are simply accepting that your heart is open to forgiveness, love and compassion without reservation... You are free to stop suffering. You are free to be happy. You simply have to change your heart. You simply have to change your mind. In this moment you will define what happens next. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Lay down and surrender the unnecessary need to be right if you want to feel love. To accept others and to accept yourself means that you must resist sizing them up as better than, equal to or lesser than. Accepting yourself and others equally means to accept the never-ending hope in our shared capacity for beautiful change. You can free yourself and others of your version of how things were and begin to experience things as they are: Unlimited possibility. Our work as Bodhisattva's on the Path is to commit to never giving up, to never ever giving up on another human being - and to always remember their innate goodness and potential. With Palms Together In Loving Kindness Metta Michael Gregory

Experienced riders do not fall off their horses. In the same way, when unexpected harm or sudden difficulties befall us, if love and compassion, rather than annoyance, come welling up in us of their own accord in other words, if uncomfortable situations can be used to advantage in our lives that is a sign that we have accomplished something in our contemplative training. So it is vitally important for us to continue in our efforts. Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (Enlightened Courage)

"Many of the problems we face today we bring upon ourselves because we focus on these secondary differences between us. We cling to the idea of my nation, my religion, my community, that we are rich while they are poor. This creates a strong sense of ‘us’ and ‘them’. The only remedy is to remind ourselves that we are all the same as human beings. We need to remember the oneness of humanity." His Holiness the Dalai Lama Guwahati, Assam, India, 3 April 2017

The 8 Versus of Mind Training with Lama Michael Gregory This series provides illuminating, powerful and tender insights on training the mind in selflessness on the path to compassionate enlightenment. 1. By thinking of all sentient beings. As more precious than a wish-fulfilling jewel, for accomplishing the highest aim, I will always hold them dear.... 2. Whenever I’m in the company of others, I will regard myself as the lowest among all, And from the depths of my heart, Cherish others as supreme. 3. In my every action, I will watch my mind, And the moment destructive emotions arise, I will confront them strongly and avert them, Since they will hurt both me and others. 4. Whenever I see ill-natured beings, Or those overwhelmed by heavy misdeeds or suffering, I will cherish them as something rare, As though I’d found a priceless treasure. 5. Whenever someone out of envy, Does me wrong by attacking or belittling me, I will take defeat upon myself, And give the victory to others. 6. Even when someone I have helped, Or in whom I have placed great hopes Mistreats me very unjustly, I will view that person as a true spiritual teacher. 7. In brief, directly or indirectly, I will offer help and happiness to all my mothers, And secretly take upon myself, All their hurt and suffering. 8. I will learn to keep all these practices, Untainted by thoughts of the eight worldly concerns. May I recognize all things as like illusions, And, without attachment, gain freedom from bondage. | Rigpa Translations. Revised 2012. Geshe Langri Tangpa ( ; wylie: glang ri thang pa) (10541123) is an important figure in the lineage of the Kadampa and Gelug schools of Tibetan Buddhism. He was born in Central Tibet, as Dorje Senge ( ). His name derives from Langtang, the area in which he is said to have lived. He was a Kadampa master, and disciple of Potowa. In the 2nd water bird year he founded Langtang Monastery (), as a Kadampa monastery. It later became a Sakya monastery. by Geshe Langri Thangpa He was the author of Eight Verses of Training the Mind ( ; wylie: blo sbyong tshigs brgyad ma), considered a succinct summary of the Lojong () teachings of Mahayana Buddhism. He is said to be an emanation of Buddha Amitbha. This teaching and meditation will be offered live on the Mindfulness Meditation Centers Facebook page at 4pm Pacific Time every Sunday. To join our zoom classes and participate in Q&A and watch and replay all our classes and series, sign up to becoming a participating member. https://mindfulnessmeditationcenters.com/contribute/

Teachings on 8 Verses For Training the Mind with Lama Michael Gregory at 8pm FB Live 1. By thinking of all sentient beings. As more precious than a wish-fulfilling jewel, for accomplishing the highest aim, I will always hold them dear. 2. Whenever I’m in the company of others, I will regard myself as the lowest among all, And from the depths of my heart, Cherish others as supreme.... 3. In my every action, I will watch my mind, And the moment destructive emotions arise, I will confront them strongly and avert them, Since they will hurt both me and others. 4. Whenever I see ill-natured beings, Or those overwhelmed by heavy misdeeds or suffering, I will cherish them as something rare, As though I’d found a priceless treasure. 5. Whenever someone out of envy, Does me wrong by attacking or belittling me, I will take defeat upon myself, And give the victory to others. 6. Even when someone I have helped, Or in whom I have placed great hopes Mistreats me very unjustly, I will view that person as a true spiritual teacher. 7. In brief, directly or indirectly, I will offer help and happiness to all my mothers, And secretly take upon myself, All their hurt and suffering. 8. I will learn to keep all these practices, Untainted by thoughts of the eight worldly concerns. May I recognize all things as like illusions, And, without attachment, gain freedom from bondage. | Rigpa Translations. Revised 2012. Geshe Langri Tangpa ( ; wylie: glang ri thang pa) (10541123) is an important figure in the lineage of the Kadampa and Gelug schools of Tibetan Buddhism. He was born in Central Tibet, as Dorje Senge ( ). His name derives from Langtang, the area in which he is said to have lived. He was a Kadampa master, and disciple of Potowa. In the 2nd water bird year he founded Langtang Monastery (), as a Kadampa monastery. It later became a Sakya monastery. by Geshe Langri Thangpa He was the author of Eight Verses of Training the Mind ( ; wylie: blo sbyong tshigs brgyad ma), considered a succinct summary of the Lojong () teachings of Mahayana Buddhism. He is said to be an emanation of Buddha Amitbha. This teaching and meditation will be offered live on the Mindfulness Meditation Centers Facebook page at 4pm Pacific Time by generosity only.

Sky Space: The Royal Tantra on the Great Perfection of Bodhicitta A Master who introduces us to the meanings of symbols Will have received the lineage Through the empowerment of the aural lineage.... He will be subdued, respectful, and possess compassion. He will hold the transmission of the samaya of knowledge. He will have acquired the instructions, And he will be aware of the recipient. He will bear treasure. He will know every recipient clearly. From a time that was innumerable eons ago He will have studied union with the meaning of the Great Perfection. He will be skilled in discriminating the particulars about the recipients. His compassion will be in that he strives to liberate living beings. He will not care about profit or fame. His secret ability Is that he is wise in the living upadea instructions. He will have attained the Brahmanic empowerment Of the vase of the aural lineage. This is the king of gurus! As for the characteristics of a bad guru, He is short tempered. He has no faith or samaya. He is lazy. He does not have any transmission of the secrets. He is primarily concerned with profit and fame. He is arrogant. His jealousy and pride are great. He is corrupt and has no purpose. His words are random. He does not have any empowerments or instructions. He does not discriminate the differences in the vehicles. He lacks any knowledge that is from study. He does not have the instructions of the aural lineage. Translated perfectly by Lotsawa Chris Wilkinson Available here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086P7G6L5 Please consider supporting this perfect translator of the Dzogchen Tantras, Lotsawa Chris Wilkinson: From Lotsawa Chris: I am now working on the translation of these titles: 1) The Tantra of the Bodhicitta in which the All Good One Is Our Awareness Dawning by Its Own Force. 2) The Tantra on the Bodhicitta that Holds the Seven Wisdoms of the Great Perfection. 3) The Tantra that Gathers the Roots of the Great Sky of the All Good One. 4) The Tantra of the Secret Heart of the Wheel of the Wisdom of the Great Perfection. 5) The Great King of Tantras on the Element of Life. These five Tantras are found at the beginning of the fourth volume of the Hundred Thousand Tantras of the Ancient Ones, which is devoted to Space Section writings. Together they will form a book in English of about 400 pages. Each of these books is amazing and profound for its own reasons. We are creating a legacy, a small library of the ancient teachings that were preserved by the Tibetans for over a thousand years that will now also live on in English. Your support is critical to the success of this endeavor. I hope to have the book out before Christmas. Help me make it happen! Go Fund This Translation: https://www.gofundme.com/f/natural-bliss

When practicing the Dharma, you must first tame your own mind. To do this you must extinguish the scorching flames of anger with the water of loving-kindness. You must cross the river of desire on the bridge of powerful remedies.... You must light the torch of discriminating knowledge in the darkness of ignorance. You must crumble the mountain of pride to the ground with the pestle of diligence. You must overcome the storm of envy by wearing the warm garment of patience. In any case, these five poisons, your old archenemies, will ruin your being in the three realms of samsara if you uninhibitedly indulge in them. Do not let them run wild. There is a danger in that. ~ Padmasambhava

Yours is the light by which my spirit's born: - you are my sun, my moon, and all my stars. e. e. cummings Lama Michael Gregory teaching at Vultures Peak, 2017 MMC India Pilgrimage, teaching the Heart Sutra, teachings on emptiness.

Join us this morning at 8am PST for Sacred Sundays with Lama Michael Gregory: Always Offering The Victory to Others Join us every Sunday at 8am for healing, transformational and inspiring Buddhist teachings. Michael will directly address the suffering and challenges we face and how this is the path toward freedom and awakening. Make this a mindful and compassionate time in your life by intentionally transformimg your life in these challenging times. ... Classes are led by Buddhist Teacher Lama Michael Gregory, who teaches how to be in this world but not of it, bringing the practices of non duality into vivid life examples of daily life experiences, relationships and the challenges we face. Classes focus on the development of true mindfulness, freedom from destructive emotions, meditation, loving kindness and gentle forgiveness towards ourselves. Join our free 6 Week Mindfulness Course: https://mindfulnessmeditationcenters.com/online-l/course-1/ Thank you for your generous donations. All donations go to Mindfulness Meditation Centers which is a non profit organization, that through the generous contributions of our members is able to share the dharma across the world with all, regardless of financial capacity.

Join us today at 8am PST for Sacred Sundays