Expanding Awareness Through Meditation

A participant initiated a discussion about conditions for growing consciousness, wondering how to expand awareness.

When Geshe joined, he elaborated on the three pillars of life: spiritual practice, family/society, and business. He emphasized their interdependence and balance, explaining that without money, practice faces obstacles; without family connections, one becomes isolated; and without spiritual understanding, one can become lost in dualistic thinking or self-centeredness. Geshe stressed the importance of understanding reality and truth, noting that dharma means understanding the reality of one's mind, body, relationships, and surroundings.

Natural State Meditation and Awareness

A participant asked Geshe about developing deeper heart-mind awareness to guide right action and speech. Geshe explained how different types of meditation create different levels of awareness: preliminary practices build trust and forgiveness while addressing gross problems; concentration meditation (shamatha) creates middle-level awareness; and natural state meditation develops the sharpest awareness that can detect even subtle mind movements, preventing repeated mistakes.

Geshe emphasized that consistent, quality practice is essential, recommending shorter, quality meditation sessions for beginners, gradually increasing duration as one advances. He explained that regular practice helps practitioners become witnesses to their own minds, understanding how different practices impact them. He noted that meditation quality matters as much as quantity, and when ordinary mind feels strong, it signals the need for more practice rather than discouragement.

Exploring Telepathy and Intuitive Connections

When asked about His Holiness Menry 33rd's ability to read minds, Geshe explained it comes from heightened sensitivity and awareness rather than direct mind-reading. He described how one can read signs through facial reactions, speech patterns, and actions—similar to how doctors diagnose illness through symptoms. Geshe shared an anecdote about a reincarnated Lama who could predict the future but couldn't explain how beyond attributing it to previous practice.

Guided Meditation Session

After a short break, a participant led a guided meditation focusing on three points: body awareness, breath observation, and spaciousness. They guided participants to: 1. Begin by visualizing bright white light around them 2. Appreciate the opportunity to practice together with the lineage 3. Cultivate trust, safety, and relaxation 4. Remember that Buddha qualities exist within their own hearts 5. Focus on the felt sense of the body 6. Notice the natural rhythm of breath (in-breath, out-breath, gap) 7. Apply more energy to closely track each moment of breathing 8. Allow the mind to rest naturally as concentration deepens 9. Expand awareness to the space around them 10. Rest in spaciousness while allowing thoughts and sounds to come and go

The session concluded with a dedication prayer