We were just about to come out of the coronavirus pandemic when racism and cruelty took us to another dimension of challenges. The cruel and heartless killing of George Floyd is both appalling and the latest of many events like it that are the symptom of a larger issue in our country, the USA. Many are going out protesting not just this heart-wrenching event but the system of justice and police enforcement that have made it possible, and the widespread racism that still remains in the larger culture. It is good to see that there are so many who are channeling their outrage into courageous yet peaceful protests with a unified voice demanding substantial, real change. This country needs real

Without that meeting with the Guest, without that intimate familiarity with the Beloved, we are fundamentally, ontologically, existentially alone. We are separated from our Beloved. We use the name “our Beloved” because our heart will not feel completely happy, delighted, fulfilled, contented, and rested until it meets with the true object of the heart, the true love of our soul’s heart.  We make so many things more important without understanding what is most central to our well-being. What does it matter what we do in our life? What does it matter if I go here or go there? Or if I have this possession or I don’t have it? If I’m in this situation or that situation? Whether somebody likes

In this four-part series, A. H. Almaas gives a thought-provoking reflection on Sleeping, Dreaming, and Dying by the Dalai Lama.  In Part 4, the last blog in the series, he explores the profound and subtle nature of the soul as a stream of consciousness. Soul is a Stream of Consciousness By A. H. Almaas We need to hold different views simultaneously to have a more thorough understanding of individual consciousness. We need to hold the nondual or unitive view, but we also need to hold the individual view, and possibly more views. In the Diamond Approach, we have a quite detailed understanding of the individual consciousness. I refer to it as soul, but there is the recognition that it is not an

In this four-part series, A. H. Almaas gives a thought-provoking reflection on Sleeping, Dreaming, and Dying by the Dalai Lama.  In Part 3, he reflects on the Tibetan view of death and dying, highlighting the often-overlooked role of individual consciousness in both the dying process and nondual realization. Tibetan View of Death and Dying By A. H. Almaas I notice that the part of the contemplation around death and dying, and discussing HHDL’s views as related to the Tibetan view of death and dying, has received the most interest. It seems many are interested in the question of death, the dying process and what happens after death, which is natural. It was, however, not my intention to address that but to open

In this four-part series, A. H. Almaas gives a thought-provoking reflection on Sleeping, Dreaming, and Dying by the Dalai Lama.  In Part 2, he delves into near-death experiences through the lens of the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Buddhist teachings. Exploration of Near-death Experiences By A. H. Almaas In chapter 8 of this book with HHDL, the topic of near death experiences was discussed. The Western researchers presented to HHDL their findings, like the common experiences of seeing white or glowing light at the end of a tunnel, the meeting of already deceased relatives, and meeting divine beings like Christ. These are some of the elements that have been established throughout many decades from the reports of individuals who came close to

In this four-part series, A. H. Almaas gives a thought-provoking reflection on Sleeping, Dreaming, and Dying with the Dalai Lama. In Part 1 of this series on Buddhism, A. H. Almaas explores the possibility that there is a missed opportunity to bridge concepts of soul and continuity of consciousness. Missed Opportunities By A. H. Almaas Originally posted February 2013 A year ago a friend gave me a book titled Sleeping, Dreaming, and Dying—An Exploration of Consciousness with the Dalai Lama, edited and narrated by Francisco Varela, Ph. D. published in 1997. It is a narration of one of the first times His Holiness the Dalai Lama (HHDL) met and dialogued with Western scientists and researchers. The group included philosophers, psychologists, ecologists,

Entanglement of spiritual traditions It is my understanding that this is an interesting outcome of the meeting of traditions in our time. We do not have to adhere to an ultimate but we can. We do not need to take a view whether ultimates is a valid way of expressing reality or completeness is, for they both do and many others also do. Freedom becomes the value, and it is both defined and defies definition. But it expresses itself as the all rounded openness for ourselves as the very reality to express itself in whatever way its intelligence moves it. There is no end to realization, kinds and types of awakening, or enlightenment and completeness. There is no end for