Deity visualization supports tantric methods - seeing beyond the ordinary. Mindfulness underpins Vipassana meditation methods-seeing things as they are. “At first glance it may seem like an arcane ritual, but when we understand the skillful way it can transform the mind, and especially how it uniquely blends the conventional aspects of our practice, such as developing the altruistic mind, with the wisdom realizing emptiness, we can see what a profound psychological tool it is.” By activating our “Buddha Nature” we overcome our sense of being “ordinary.” “The sadhana is like a passport to a new universe,” writes Geshe Tsering. Using active, guided meditation, it also stimulates “compassion” in addition to “wisdom.” Bodhichitta is a major focus of nearly all visualization sadhanas (in modern speak, “manual” or guided meditation). More importantly, according to many teachers, mindfulness allows us to still our mind enough to glimpse our very own Buddha Nature-inherent to all sentient beings.ĭeity visualization, on the other hand, allows us to step-by-step activate our Buddha Nature-rather than glimpse it. Still frame from the film “Please Come Again: The Reincarnation of Zasep Tulku Rinpoche.”Īt a high level, one of the goals of both styles of meditation, in Buddhist practice is to glimpse reality - and realize the wisdom of emptiness. In many Vajrayana meditation practices, special places such as fast rivers, high mountains, sacred spaces and cemeteries are desirable to enhance the experience. There are also separate “health” and living benefits, not related to practice goals.īoth mindfulness and visualization meditation can be done anywhere. Both styles of meditation have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Visualization practice pursues the same goal with the opposing tactic: activation, rather than pacification, of the mind-using every sense in the body and every available neuron in the brain. It’s also easily understood, can be self-managed, and requires no major training. Mindfulness, or stilling the mind by bringing us intimately into the present moment, has an immediate advantage of simplicity in today’s busy world. The special place, the sound of sacred drums, and the very special guided visualization empowers the meditation beyond the “ordinary.”įrom a Buddhist point of view - neither. Here, Venerable Zasep Tulku Rinpoche performs a Chod ritual and visualization in a cemetery. Even though the visualization is projected mentally, meditating in special places can enhance the feeling of extraordinary. Visualization meditation can be enhanced by a feeling of place. Actively guiding the meditation with all the senses can allow us to participate in our own Buddha Nature. Vajrayana deity visualization meditation is nearly the “opposite” approach to mindfulness meditation. The stillness can allow us glimpses of our own Buddha Nature. There is a feeling of peace, and being in the “present moment” with mindfulness. Mindfulness mediation can be seated and formal, or casual as you work through the day. It’s the same principle in Vajrayana, except with Enlightened Beings as the object of visualization - and the mantra (and what that represents) as the positive affirmation. Non-Buddhists also often enhance their life with personal visualizations - everything from daydreaming, to positive affirmations, to guided meditations. Deity visualization in Vajrayana Buddhism is a powerful practice that imagines “ourselves as we would like to be, as an enlightened being, and this enables us to actualize that state much more quickly,” according to Geshe Tashi Tsering in his book Tantra: The Foundation of Buddhist Thought. Then, to activate the “impossible” mind, Buddhists - and non-Buddhists - practice forms of visualization. The right method is what we need for our own development. It can take various forms, active and passive, mindfulness or active visualization, analytical or empty contemplation. Meditation is the main way we can access the power of our minds. “The power of the mind is limitless,” said Lama Yeshe. In Buddhist practice, this stilling of the “monkey mind” has many advantages, and can help us glimpse reality as it truly is - the wisdom path to eventual enlightenment. ![]() ![]() To subdue this “I can’t” mind, many Buddhists - and non-Buddhists - practice mindfulness to still the mind. I can’t, I can’t, I can’t, I can’t’ … Human beings have great potential they can do anything. The great Lama Yeshe said: “Our problem is that inside us there is a mind going, ‘Impossible, impossible, impossible.
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