Satisfied Buddhist - Domo Geshe Rinpoche

"If we cannot feel the "magic" of love from others, if it is not as much magic as we show them or if it is on again off again magic that they are displaying, then we might feel wounded in a place that is hard to explain, very hard to touch, and very hard to heal. So, we close our heart door, and think, 'people in this world do not appreciate what I have to offer!' Without the opportunity to display our love, it begins to putrefy. This love "magic" turns to blame, or we might have blame waiting just behind this offer of love that we want to give them, just waiting for them to say no. With one hand we offer them freely an opportunity to get to know us deeply, and on the other hand, if they do not return the correct signals, we are going to pound them energetically. How complex we make this! However, these unhappy dynamics are not possible to learn, (or even unlearn) unless we live in a world that is illusory and changeable. We can change the focus of our ...

The reason why purification practices such as rainbow purification or Vajrasattva are done in sequestered retreat environment is because purification is not pretty. I do not recall which purification is the least pretty. So, we enter retreat with determination and some important purpose to do strong purification practice. Or perhaps your lama is giving instructions and initiation into a deity such as Vajrasattva, Buddha of purification that includes commentary and group or private meditation away from your own home. There may be a special obstacle you are experiencing such as a personal health problem or a meditation obstacle that not amenable to daily meditation. Some meditators will do a retreat for the health of a family member, success for their monastery, or even worldly goals such as personal success. The state of mind to hold while on purification must be more careful than you might think. It is not a good idea to charge at the obstacle like a bull toward a red cape. By direct...