Integrating Meditation Practice with Daily Life

Pema Dragpa October 21, 2018

“Setting aside this time for daily practice will help us stay more connected to the absolute nature of Guru Padmasambhava within ourselves and others. In post-meditation, we should be thoughtful and consider what is good to do and what is good to avoid. We should take care of our affairs in the mundane world using what’s available and helpful on the relative level, but we should try to do this without too much emotion. Bodhichitta, devotion, joy, and appreciation are aspects of the relative truth that we should apply consistently to make our Dzogchen practice much more profound and powerful. As you progress, try to integrate what you’ve learned in meditation into post-meditation. Bring your realization of nonduality into the dualistic world. Keep your mind very spacious and open, and your conduct very careful and refined. Maintain your identity as a practitioner and have courage.

We’ve all heard many times that the true nature of our own minds and the entire universe is already enlightened. Yet just hearing this is not enough. We have to practice with joyful effort, courage, and commitment, and if we continue to do this, we will realize the true nature. The true nature is not something that has been created by the Buddha or anyone else; the true nature is what is. Please keep practicing. Every practice requires devotion and bodhichitta—keep yourself inspired! It’s important to remember that what you learn from teachings and books is only theoretical knowledge, which by itself is not enough. You must absorb what you learn into your heart and let it fully blossom.”

Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche

Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche

Preface to Liberating Duality with Wisdom Display: The Eight Emanations of Guru Padmasambhava (pg 5)

Seven Chapter Prayer Dzogchen Retreat

Padma Samye Ling

March 29, 2010

Watch the Conclusion of the Month-long Dzogchen Meditation Retreat on Guru Rinpoche’s Seven Chapter Prayer: