Meditation: Advice to Beginners

164 Pages·1993·7.51 MB·English

by  Bokar Rinpoche

Meditation
Advice
to Beginners

Meditation
Advice to Beginners
Bokar Rinpoche
English Translation
Christiane Buchet
English Version Edited by
Jennifer Pessereau
San Francisco, California
Meditation
Advice to Beginners
by Bokar Rinpoche
Published by:
ClearPoint Press
PO Box 170658
San Francisco, CA 94117
The original text of this book was published in France and was
titled: La Meditation, conseils aux debutants.
Copyright reserved for all countries:
Editions Claire Lumiere
5 avenue Camille Pelletan
13760 Saint Cannat, France.
Copyright © 1992 English Edition:
ClearPoint Press
Printed in the United States of America
Book printed on acid-free paper
Third Printing 2001
Library of Congress Catalogue Card Number: 92-075390
ISBN 0-9630371-1-0
Cover Design: Robin Spaan
Vajrasattva Cover Drawing: Cynthia Moku
INTRODUCTION
Meditation is currently a fashionable practice and there
are already books published on this subject. Why this new book?
What will you find in this volume? You will find teachings given
by an authentic Tibetan teacher, Bokar Rinpoche. Not only does
Bokar Rinpoche know meditation, but years of skillful practice
allow him to guide students on this path. For him, Buddhism
constitutes the essence of the spiritual domain and his teachings
transmit the teachings given by the Buddha. Furthermore, they
are perfectly adapted to our time and cultural environment.
Bokar Rinpoche knows how to make clear that which, at first
approach, seems obscure and complex. He really embodies the
essence of these teachings. When one meets with Bokar Rinpoche,
one is bathed in a radiant peace which he extends to all beings
through his immense love and compassion. In his presence, one
may experience a taste of the true nature of the mind. It is my
hope that this book will convey to the reader Bokar Rinpoche's
wisdom and compassion.
Since the series of teachings translated here come from
public and private teachings given in France between 1985 and
1987, they sometimes address the people of a particular city.
Their contents, however, are directed toward each of us,
regardless of where we reside. You may sometimes find a
repetition of themes from one chapter to another. We did not edit
the teachings. As repetition may increase understanding, you will
encounter the same view presented in a different context in some
instances.
They are true teachings that one can read, put directly
into practice, reread and practice again and again. For the person
who wants to practice with others, there are many meditation
centers throughout the world where one may receive instruction
from a qualified teacher. This book is not a substitute for a living
teacher but a guide to the path, a friendly companion on the
journey sharing wisdom and experience.
Many familiar words, such as suffering, love and
compassion, have a more specific meaning in the context of this
book. To clarify their meaning, we have added a selective
glossary of Buddhist terms in order to help the beginner more
easily understand the text. This glossary is not exhaustive.
Advanced students of Buddhism may refer to more scholarly
publications for comprehensive definitions of these terms.
This book is the result of the love and efforts of many
people. I am deeply grateful to Bokar Rinpoche who gave these
simple but extraordinary teachings and to Lama Choky (Franc;ois
Jacquemart) who translated them from Tibetan into French. In
translating the book into English, I have had my work made
easier by the generosity of a number of individuals. The
following people have contributed substantially in the form of
advice or assistance. Special thanks are due to Gene Meyer,
Hubert Godard, Chiao and Ernie Crews for their love and
support. Jacqueline Cattani read the first draft, corrected and
checked the translation against the French. Don Iocca read the
manuscript, and Dan Jorgensen helped with his computer
expertise. Elson Snow shared his knowledge and art of printing.
Franc;oise Buchet drew the illustrations pages 69, 108 and 112.
Rosemary Gilpin helped in all the phases of this work, patiently
rereading the text and offering encouragement and love.
May the reading of this book bring you much happiness!
The translator
TABLE OF CONTENTS
APPROACHING MEDITATION ................... 1
General Introduction to Meditation .................. 3
Why meditate? .................................. 3
Helpful conditions for meditation .................... 4
How to meditate ................................ 5
Fruits of meditation ............................. 8
Conclusion .................................... 9
Questions and answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
More to Consider .............................. 15
The sky and the mind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Ego and the five poisons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
The mind on vacation ........................... 19
Meditation in daily life ........................... 20
An open face .................................. 21
Subjectivity ................................... 21
Meditation: already present in us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Perseverance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
The taste of meditation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Questions and answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Fertile Ground ................................. 27
Including oneself in a tradition .................... 28
Understanding our situation ...................... 29
Fertile ground . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Distraction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Taking an object ................................ 31
Meditating on the mind .......................... 33
Knowing how to meditate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Questions and answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
The Three Hindrances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Attachment to the world ......................... 44
Lack of trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Distraction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Questions and answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
PRACTICING MEDITATION .................... 57
Mental Calming- "Shinay" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Preliminary practices in the context of meditation . . . . . . 59
The four reflections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
The four specific preliminaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
The four conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
The body in practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Bodily posture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Placing the mind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Meditation exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Dealing with thoughts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Further Information on Mental Calming-"Shinay" . . . . 73
The grace of the teacher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Measuring our good fortune . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
The stages of the meditation ...................... 76
Posture ....................................... 76
Three supports for the mind ...................... 77
Breathing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
A white tigle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
The Buddha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Shinay without a support ......................... 78
Sleepiness and agitation .......................... 78
From the river to the ocean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Clarity and absence of thoughts .................... 81
Questions and answers .......................... 82
Superior Vision- "Lhatong" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Distinction between shinay and lhatong ............. 100
The practice of lhatong .......................... 101
The example of the stuffed tiger .................. 104
Taking the remedy ............................. 106
Message to the people of Provence ................ 107
Questions and answers ......................... 109
Further Information on the Superior Vision-"Lhatong" 113
The mirage of the thoughts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
The practice of lhatong .......................... 114
First exercise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Second exercise ......................... 115
Third exercise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115