Khashyar | December 31, 2008

Hello Everyone,

Sometimes I have conversations with my friends and others about meditation, and the powerful benefits that it brings.

For me, it is a way to connect and tap into a deep bedrock source of tranquility, well-being, clear guidance and happiness. Mediation also helps me receive clarity regarding a question or decision I need to make, or an idea I need clarity about.

I have been meditating (on and off) since 1988, when I first discovered meditation during a trip to Colorado during a college Christmas vacation.

At the time, I was feeling profoundly unhappy, and didn’t know why or how to change how I was feeling.

So, as often happens when someone feels unhappy, I began to search for clarity and happiness.

That was my first trip to Colorado, and I found it to be a bright effervencent place, and hope started to flower within me.

My friend took me to a spiritual bookstore, and I was exposed to a variety of different ideas, including Spiritual Yoga and meditation. I discovered a book called “How to Meditate” by Lawrence LeShan, which gives a good practical guide to different forms of meditation from various religious and spiritual traditions, including Christian meditation. 

I believe that the technique of meditation is fairly basic and easy to understand, but like balancing on one foot or playing the guitar, but it takes practice and discipline, one day at a time, to receive the most benefit and to truly understand what medition is.

It is like an orange: someone can tell you what an orange is by descibing it to you with words (it is the color orange, round, tastes sweet and tangy, etc.), but that you can’t truly understand it unless you taste it and experience it for yourself.

Here are the basic steps of how I meditate:

1) I sit comfortably with my eyes closed. It is good to wear loose-fitting clothes, so that you feel as comfortable as possible. You can sit on the floor, or in a chair, but try to avoid laying down because it will remind you of sleeping and you might doze off  .

2) My personal technique (which is practiced by some meditation practitioners) is that I touch my thumb and middle finger together, but that is not necessary. The touching of the thumb and finger act as a physiological trigger that more easily brings about a meditative state (like Pavlov’s dogs that start to drool when a bell is rung, because Pavlov successfully associated the ringing of a bell with tasty food – that is, food that a dog finds tasty).

3) Put your attention on one thing. This is often called “one-pointedness. The Dalai Lama and others will tell you that meditation essentially is putting your awareness or attention to one thing, so that you receive deeper and more profound insight of that one thing. That one object of meditation can be an image in your mind’s eye, one word or phrase that you repeat in the quiet of your mind, paying attention to a physical point in your body like the observation of your breathing. The object of your meditation can also be an idea, thought or “problem” that you want to receive greater understanding of. Some people verbally chant a word or phrase, or peform a meditative dance, or even put their attention on a candle or their physical body while they are walking. But, for beginners, it is often recommeded that you meditate with your eyes closed, and choose an object of meditation that feels right to you.

4) When you notice that your attention has wondered from the object of your meditation (for example, you start thinking about the bills that you have to pay, or a noise that you hear outside of your window, or your phone starts to ring    ), then gently bring your attention back to the object of meditation that chose.

5) Repeat steps 3 and 4.

Soon, you will find that you are traveling deeper into your consciousness, spirit or mind, and that you begin to have more control of your mind, rather than your unrestrained mind, thoughts and emotions having control over you.

In recent years, the object of meditation for me has been a place very deep within my consciousness.

During the past 3 months, I have felt drawn to direct my awareness to my “heart center,” i.e. in the center of my chest at the same level of my heart. In this way, I am made aware of how my heart feels, and whether my heart feels warm and open.

When I first started meditating, I placed my awareness on my breath, and just was aware of my breath moving in and out.

There are moments in my meditation when I receive profound wisdom and clarity about my life,  or peace and tranquility when I have felt a stress or worry.

It acts as a compass or gyroscope that keeps me on my highest path, and towards my goal of serving Humanity and others in the best possible way.

Khashyar Darvich
Producer-Director
“Dalai Lama Renaissance”
www.DalaiLamaFilm.com

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Khashyar | December 30, 2008

Hello Everyone,

The DVD of “Dalai Lama Renaissance” documentary film is scheduled to be released in the United States in March 2009.

More information about ordering the DVD can be found here: http://dalailamafilm.com/buy-dvd.html

Stores, organizations and catalogs may also contact us (via the link above) to discuss selling the “Dalai Lama Renaissance” via their business.

We will continue to keep you updated about the release of the DVD.

Thank you,

Khashyar Darvich
Producer-Director
“Dalai Lama Renaissance”

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Khashyar | December 30, 2008

Hello Everyone,

In this section of “Dalai Lama Renaissance Talk,” we will be adding information and updates about the DVD release of “Dalai Lama Renaissance,” so please check back here for more information about the DVD release.

Thank you,

Khashyar Darvich
Producer-Director
“Dalai Lama Renaissance”

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Khashyar | December 30, 2008

Hello Everyone,

In this section of the “Dalai Lama Renaissance” blog, we will be adding news articles and film reviews of “Dalai Lama Renaissance.”

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Khashyar | December 29, 2008

Congratulatory letter from the Dalai Lama to Barack Obama on his election as US President, November 5, 2008

 

Dear President-elect Obama,

Congratulations on your election as the President of the United States of America.

I am encouraged that the American people have chosen a President who reflects America’s diversity and her fundamental ideal that any person can rise up to the highest office in the land.  This is a proud moment for America and one that will be celebrated by many peoples around the world.

The American Presidential elections are always a great source of encouragement to people throughout the world who believe in democracy, freedom and equality of opportunities.

May I also commend the determination and moral courage that you have demonstrated throughout the long campaign, as well as the kind heart and steady hand that you often showed when challenged.  I recall our own telephone conversation this spring and these same essential qualities came through in your concern for the situation in Tibet.

As the President of the United States, you will certainly have great and difficult tasks before you, but also many opportunities to create change in the lives of those millions who continue to struggle for basic human needs.  You must also remember and work for these people, wherever they may be.

With my prayers and good wishes,

Yours sincerely,

THE DALAI LAMA

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Khashyar | December 28, 2008

Photo of President Barack Obama (then, Senator Obama) with the Dalai Lama at a 2005 Senate Foreign Relations Committee event.

 

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