It's Up to You

The Practice of Self-Reflection on the Buddhist Path

Ebook
On sale Oct 10, 2006 | 160 Pages | 9780834824539

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On the spiritual path we speak of enlightenment. But how do we reconcile the idea of enlightenment with what we see when we look in the mirror—when insecurities, doubts, and self-centered tendencies arise in our minds? Dzigar Kongtrül suggests that we need not feel "doomed" when these experiences surface. In fact, such experiences are not a problem if we are able to simply let them arise without judging them or investing them with so much meaning. This approach to experience is what Kongtrül calls self-reflection.

Self-reflection is a practice, a path, and an attitude. It is the spirit of taking an interest in that which we usually try to push away. When we practice self-reflection we take liberation into our own hands and accept the challenge and personal empowerment in Kongtrül’s title: it’s up to you.
Helen Berliner is a visual artist, a teacher of contemplative arts, and a practitioner of Tibetan-style feng-shui. Her work has been exhibited in Europe, Australia, and North America in museums, corporate collections, and galleries. A senior student of the late Chögyam Trungpa, she now lives in Philadelphia. View titles by Helen Berliner

About

On the spiritual path we speak of enlightenment. But how do we reconcile the idea of enlightenment with what we see when we look in the mirror—when insecurities, doubts, and self-centered tendencies arise in our minds? Dzigar Kongtrül suggests that we need not feel "doomed" when these experiences surface. In fact, such experiences are not a problem if we are able to simply let them arise without judging them or investing them with so much meaning. This approach to experience is what Kongtrül calls self-reflection.

Self-reflection is a practice, a path, and an attitude. It is the spirit of taking an interest in that which we usually try to push away. When we practice self-reflection we take liberation into our own hands and accept the challenge and personal empowerment in Kongtrül’s title: it’s up to you.

Author

Helen Berliner is a visual artist, a teacher of contemplative arts, and a practitioner of Tibetan-style feng-shui. Her work has been exhibited in Europe, Australia, and North America in museums, corporate collections, and galleries. A senior student of the late Chögyam Trungpa, she now lives in Philadelphia. View titles by Helen Berliner

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