This past weekend, I attended a Buddhist Mindfulness meditation retreat with the venerable Tibetan Master Chamtrul Rinpoche. Almost a decade ago, I completed an 8-week Mindfulness course, where I learned how to meditate. Establishing a practice was an uphill battle, but eventually, I found my rhythm. ​ ​However, over time, I fell off the wagon - first with meditation, then with yoga. Somewhere along the way, I began a breathwork practice. Last year, I returned to yoga, and this year, my intention has been to restart a consistent meditation practice. When a friend invited me to this retreat, I jumped at the opportunity to recommit. ​ ​Rinpoche shared a profound insight: the opposite of mindfulness is forgetfulness. We forget what we’ve learned, forget to do our practices, and become immersed in Samsara - the suffering of life. Teachers remind us of what we’ve forgotten and guide us back to the path. ​ ​This retreat brought a multitude of lessons: a realization of my own ignorance, more questions, and a rediscovery of meditation’s benefits. Through mindfulness, I was reminded of the power of being alert, recognizing when we are trapped in suffering, and understanding how meditation can lead to the cessation of suffering. ​ ​What I appreciate about Buddhist philosophy is its emphasis on training the mind through logical reasoning and understanding rather than giving in to fantasy or delusion. There is a strong focus on truth and wisdom, which are my highest values. In Jungian terms, this practice helps us avoid falling into the traps of our complexes. This retreat was a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of mindfulness, and I’m excited to deepen my practice this year. ​ ​To listen to talks by this recognised master of Tibetan Buddhism renowned for his immense knowledge of Buddhist teachings: ​ ​https://chamtrul-rinpoche.com/ ​https://meridian-trust.org/video/250-the-nature-of-mind-ven-chamtrul-rinpoche/

#meditation #mindfullness #Buddhism