Calm in the Midst of Trouble

In pre ‘59 Tibet, not many had education and what Tibetans believed about larger issues was often not true, no matter how many thought it to be true. So, in this new life, I have observed that although an individual person doesn’t know everything, the larger the group, the more chance that the majority knows the correct answer. 
For ordinary information, this is almost foolproof, however, in esoteric subjects, it doesn’t work that way. We need a different way of viewing deep truth rather than group consensus.
In traditional Buddhism, we learn to disrespect our own knowledge in order to relax into a special state of not knowing. We were taught to hold a humble position in the face of our own lack of understanding.
So, don’t be too confused among advanced Buddhists who say that they don’t know that much and maybe cause you to think ‘Well, they’ve been Buddhist for 25 years; how can they say they don’t know much?” That’s because many Buddhists…. even ordained monastics, are often hesitant to tell what their understanding is because they feel that they are still not that qualified.
In societies such as Tibet, where there was often no education at all, holding a pride of knowing is practically useless and so they were receptive to learning dharma easily and with few barriers to overcome. In a highly educated society a more skillful way is to have a strong desire to become a receptive vehicle for understanding deep esoteric knowledge as well as feeling that Dharma knowledge has even more value than everyday knowledge. ~ Domo Geshe Rinpoche ~~~

Vajrayogini retreat room is in the lower restored oat granary. Suitable for one or two persons. Second person on new chair/chaise lounge/bed convertible Hand made quilt, needlepoint rug, shared bath and shower rooms just outside in corridor. Sunrise view. Hand painted Tibetan Thanka of Vajrayogini. Temple next door, lotus pond and outdoor seating, firepit.

Vajrayoginī literally 'the diamond female yogi'. She is a Highest Yoga Tantra Yidam, and her practice includes methods for preventing ordinary death, intermediate state (bardo) and rebirth (by transforming them into paths to enlightenment), and for transforming all mundane daily experiences into higher spiritual paths. Her other forms include Vajravārāhī. Vajrayoginī is a ḍākiṇī and a Vajrayāna Buddhist meditation deity. As such she is considered to be a female Buddha. Vajrayoginī is often described with the epithet sarva-buddha-dakinī, meaning 'the ḍākiṇī who is the Essence of all Buddhas'

give the gift of spiritual retreat. Only $25 per night including meals. contact Ngawang Khandro 715-743-6743
Twenty-one Tara retreat room is in the main Hermitage upstairs, a fully restored 100 year old farmhouse in central Wisconsin. Suitable for one or two persons. Two full beds with hand made quilts, handmade braided rug, shared upstairs bathroom, whole house air

conditioning and wifi. Hand painted Tibetan thankas of Tara, Chenrezig and Buddha Shakyamuni. View is toward the north and the sunset. Temple across yard, lotus pond and outdoor seating, firepit.

From the tantra known as the 'Twenty-One Praises of Tara' spoken by the Buddha Samantabhadra arises the system of practice with Twenty-one Tara emanations - one for each verse of praise. Each form of Tara has a specific colour and accomplishes a specific activity. Each of the individual Taras holds a vase in the outstretched right hand. The vase is the same colour as the body colour of that Tara. Some of the Taras are described as being slightly fierce meaning they may have an open mouth with slightly enlarged canine teeth and furrowed brow above the eyes.
This abbreviation in a single verse of the praises to the twenty-one Taras was received directly from Arya Tara by the great teacher, Jowo Atisha, for the swift collection of meritorious energy.
OM I prostrate to the goddess foe destroyer, liberating lady Tara, Homage to TARE, saviouress, heroine, With TUTTARE dispelling all fears,Granting all benefits with TURE,To her with sound SVAHA, I bow.



The debate continues whether religion or science is better at discovering truth. Religions only purpose is to purely preserve and disseminate the teachings of its founder but only when that is done skillfully will the teachings be joyfully put into practice. After practice and deep commitment to change, the actual intention of the founder will culminate in a lasting transformation of the deeper levels of consciousness.
Since science is a system of measurements and manipulation of those measurements, the

actual life force consciousness cannot be strengthened and changed, the superficial levels of knowledge of phenomena are strengthened instead. It is a materialistic view of reality and truth. I do not believe that it is possible to become awakened through science. Evolution will happen in consciousness and not by technology. ~ Domo Geshe Rinpoche ~~~

The debate continues whether religion or science is better at discovering truth. Religions only purpose is to purely preserve and disseminate the teachings of its founder but only when that is done skillfully will the teachings be joyfully put into practice. After practice and deep commitment to change, the actual intention of the founder will culminate in a lasting transformation of the deeper levels of consciousness.
Since science is a system of measurements and manipulation of those measurements, the actual life force consciousness cannot be strengthened and changed, the superficial levels of knowledge of phenomena are strengthened instead. It is a materialistic view of reality and truth. I do not believe that it is possible to become awakened through science. Evolution will happen in consciousness and not by technology. ~ Domo Geshe Rinpoche ~~~

Le débat continue à savoir laquelle de la religion ou de la science est meilleure à découvrir la réalité. La seule finalité des religions est de purement et simplement préserver et disséminer les enseignements de son fondateur mais à la condition que cela soit habilement fait et alors les enseignements seront mis en pratique avec bonheur. Après une pratique et une profond engagement à changer, la véritable intention du fondateur culminera en une transformation durable des niveaux les plus profonds de la conscience. Etant donné que la science est un système de mesures et une manipulation de ces mesures, la véritable force vitale de la conscience ne peut être renforcée et changée, au lieu de cela ce sont les niveaux superficiels de la connaissance des phénomènes qui sont renforcés. Il s'agit d'une vision matérialiste de la réalité et de la vérité. Je ne pense pas qu'il soit possible d'atteindre l'éveil par la science. L'évolution interviendra par la conscience et non pas par la technologie.~ Domo Geshe Rinpoche ~~~

If we could develop a strategy beforehand to calm ourselves in the midst of trouble, when unhappy circumstances come, we won’t experience the secondary effect of problems, which is suffering, but simply deal with the problem. 
It seems that part of why folks can’t resolve their problem is because a lot of their energy is wasted in being unduly upset. Then, there’s not much mental acuity left to actually think with. However, if the mind is calm, it’s surprising how many things we can deal with, even simultaneously. ~ Domo Geshe Rinpoche ~~~

"Wenn wir von vornherein eine Strategie entwickeln könnten, mit der wir uns mitten in Notsituationen beruhigen, dann würden wir beim Eintreten unglücklicher Umstände nicht die sekundäre Auswirkung der Probleme erleben, welche aus Leiden besteht, sondern uns einfach mit dem Problem beschäftigen.
Es scheint, dass die Leute teilweise ihre Probleme nicht lösen können, weil sie einen Großteil ihrer Energie darauf verschwenden, übermäßig aufgebracht zu sein. Dann bleibt ihnen nicht viel geistige Schärfe, mit der sie tatsächlich denken können. Wenn der Geist jedoch ruhig ist, ist es erstaunlich mit wie vielen Dingen wir uns sogar gleichzeitig beschäftigen können." - Domo Geshe Rinpoche ---