Boundless Healing (eBook)

Introduction

SinceTheHealing Power of Mind(Shambhala Publications, 1996) was published, I have traveled to many places inNorth America and Europe. During those trips, I explained the healingprinciples in the book and led guided meditations on healing. I also receivedmany letters of appreciation and comments from readers of diverse backgrounds.

Itis an interesting experience to be out in the world after publishing a book,especially for someone from my background. Until the age of eighteen, my homewas Dodrupchen Monastery, in a secluded valley of eastern Tibet, surrounded bymighty mountains, where the routine of study and prayer was regulated by thepassage of the sun and moon in the sky. The Tibet I remember when I was growingup was a timeless place, deeply religious, removed from the distractions of themodern world.

Insome ways, the life I have lived for several decades in the United States isnot so very far removed from that monastic existence. At home in my simple butwelcoming apartment in a big city, I am surrounded by my collection ofscriptures and Buddhist images, which shine forth as living artifacts oftimeless truths. Much of my work has been as a lifelong student and interpreterof Buddhism, translating ancient texts so that the spark of their wisdom mighttake hold and catch fire in English and other languages of the Western world. Ispend a lot of time alone, studying the scriptures and meditating, although Iam blessed with many friends in my adopted country. Over the years, all kindsof people have come to me for advice about the struggles of their lives. Thisis why I wrote the first book on the mind's healing power five years ago—,totalk about how we can help ourselves in our daily lives.

Afterthat book was published, suddenly I was out of my comfortable, cell-likeapartment and meeting with large groups of people from different parts of theWest. All these encounters in the past few years have confirmed a belief ofmine: we need encouragement in how to live. Maybe we have a dawning interest inmeditation or have read a book or attended a workshop, or perhaps we have beentraveling along a spiritual path for a number of years. No matter, it seemsthat as humans, we can always use more help. We need a teacher to point totruths that can guide us. We need to take good care of ourselves and learn howto be more encouraging and positive in our attitudes.

Mostof the people in my workshops were amazingly open to the meditations, givingthem their whole attention and energy. Even for those who were new tomeditation or dealing with big problems, the meditations were effective andenjoyable, thanks to their dedication.

Somewho were new to any kind of meditation worried about how they would be able tosit for two or three hours and then were amazed to find that the session hadended. Some experienced a feeling of spaciousness and clarity, a crack in theirusual closed and tight confinement. For a while, some felt love and openness inwhich resentment, anxiety, dislike, or hatred could no longer be harbored. Somefelt peace and strength in which attachment, craving, or jealousy had no place.

Othersfelt that no problem was that big a deal. Even sickness seemed lesssignificant—,a passing phase in boundless space, like a patch of clouds in thesky.

Inalmost every workshop, there were people who politely excused themselves,having found that the attempt to meditate aroused strong resistance. Othersseemed to struggle but stayed with it and did fine. Still others appeared atfirst to have a good experience, but because they didn't acknowledge andappreciate the positive feelings, much of the...