Namchak Community Blog

One of the unique aspects of Buddhist practice is the freedom to challenge the teachings. Buddhism invites us to question our own perceptions and convictions, even question ancient wisdom and insight. Questioning encourages us to be active in our own awakening, and demands that we fully engage rather than operate on blind faith. This experiential...

“You have a long way to go,” I said to myself as Lama Tsomo called our awareness back to the room. It was a bright, slightly chilly Saturday morning at Lama Tsomo’s True Connection Retreat in Oakland, CA. My eyes welcomed the energizing light as I rubbed the still present tiredness from them. We had just finished a 45-minute meditation on the...

This week’s blog is written by a Namchak Learning Circle member and meditator who is doing his best to keep a calm and balanced mind. At 6 a.m. my alarm rings. I put my clothes on, go in the washroom to shave, and get ready for the day by…sitting down and closing my eyes. I open my meditation app, chose the meditation of the day, and follow the...

I don’t know how old I was when I started to recognize unease: that hollow, edgy discomfort that inhabits the space under your ribs.smooth..

Our inherent desire to predict and control our world brings us in direct conflict with the impermanent nature of all things, and the fact that uncertainty is unavoidable. The answer seems to lie in resiliency, namely the ability to adapt to, and even welcome, adversity. Here are a few ways to approach the challenge: Model the way. Those who...

Spring is traditionally associated with birth and renewal, a welcome freedom after the challenges of winter. This lightening of spirit urges us to embark on new projects, including our own personal aspirations. What do we want to achieve? How do we want to move through the world? The following posts explore intention – how we can ensure that they...

“Look at all those people sitting there with their eyes closed. I wonder what they’re doing,” I thought to myself as I ran past a big, pink ramada at the nearby park in Buenos Aires. I went home that day, researched the benefits of meditation and soon after, purchased a book called “Los Tres Pilares del Zen.” That was my first interaction with...

Courage – it’s not just a word to describe people who commit to larger-than-life acts of bravery. We can turn the lens of courage on ourselves by reframing not only how we define it, but also how we cultivate it. Since meditation allows us to come to self, it can create an inner resiliency that allows us to be more courageous. Here are three ways...

To learn more about Namchak’s Shamata retreats and what to expect when you attend, we spoke with Alley Fontenot, Namchak Community Steward. How can I prepare for the workshop? "The event is very well supported, so there’s nothing you need to do to prepare. All you need to have is an open mind. Set the intention to give yourself this weekend to...

Lama Tsomo often uses the phrase, "clearing the lens," or "cleaning your windshield," to describe focusing our thoughts and training our mind to see what is true. Ever wonder where that comes from? In Buddhism, the word for enlightenment is "sangye". "San" meaning clearing away the delusions and bad habits of the mind and "gye" meaning developing...