Words of Wisdom 3
March 2021
Rinpoche on Being Resilient
The sutras, the shastras, and our teachings have such wealth on how to assist people, and how to help them make their minds resilient and their emotions manageable.
I’m not necessarily talking about dharma here. Of course, KF’s main goal is to preserve, propagate, share, and make the dharma available for the world [today] and beyond. But here I am talking about something immediate. So maybe we also need to help people gain some kind of emotional strength and mental resilience.
I’m sure there are a lot of things that Khyentse Foundation can do, and this may happen in many, many different ways—not necessarily just as teaching, meditation, or yoga, but it could come in all kinds of forms, even like fashion.
Of course, what we do will be based on Buddhist wisdom, but we need to work more broadly on ideas and actions that can help people work with their minds and be resilient with their emotions.
Supporting others who are using creative or nontraditional ways to share Buddha’s wisdom is a new priority for KF. Next month, the foundation will launch the Trisong Grant, an open application program aimed at engaging people and projects aspiring to reach those who need mental or emotional support.
Any person or organization that aims to promote mental resilience can apply. Although programs should be based on Buddhist views and values, we welcome all forms of skillful means, and encourage innovative and creative presentations and approaches. More information on the Trison Grant is coming soon.
I have an idea that is likely to benefit many Buddhist and non- Buddhist practitioners from every culture and country to build resilience.
My project requires no financial input from the Khyentse Foundation and may well develop into a net contributor tributur to the Foundation
I would very much like to apply for a Trisong grant, where I could explain my idea and request nothing more than a statement of support from either the Khyentse Foundation or Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche himself.
Please keep me informed of any developments in relation to the application process
As students of the dharma, we are always teaching and learning simultaneously; but, the joyful miracle, is that when our teachers are very busy, they pass us off to their buddha extensions. You see, we are all one like Dolpopa said. Actually the buddhas are so smart, they know exactly what we havent learned yet.
I pray to serve the Dharma through thick. Of course we are all one. May everyone with ears hear this. We are never separate.
Tara Brach teaches the RAIN method, which comes from Thai Forest tradition, (Recognize, Allow, Investigate with kindness, Non-Identification, which could also be Nourish with Compassion). This has been a life saver for many, and there can be true insight out of this, I am sure. There are many Buddhists working in the field of end of life care, but I always thought it would be good to somehow have people to help in the mental health field, not just these non-dual for profit counselors and such, but people who can help patients who sometimes are also dealing with human rights violations in institutions besides mental breakdowns. Every so often, a mental “breakdown” can be a “breakthrough” and even in madness there can be genuine insights as well. Supporting those with neurosis is one thing but it would take great skillful means to support those in psychosis. I know it may be a long way off, because we lack understanding, one place to look is the “Open Dialogue” in Finland, where they have successfully emptied out the mental hospitals mostly through this program. I do think madness is a kind of bardo state and if we had some sort of guides in these states, would be beneficial. It is hard to be like Finland tho where they also have the support of good social services, housing, etc. also there are “warm lines” help calls, with peer support, by others who have gone through similar and who can be there for others going through it. They do not handle the “hot” calls, such as suicidal calls, but they are available to talk. I know there may be a lot of Buddhists who want to help in mental health care. It is still very backwards care these days, tho some improvement. at least they are not doing exorcisms on us, mad love, peace
Rejoice n tq n tashi DELEK.. Happy n Grateful to hear that. Wonderful way to start d day w. Mental Resilience n Mental Health. A Beautiful Mind. A v beautiful movie in reality since long ago to educate n remind many of us on that. However it’s basically a documentary. We were strongly urged n encouraged to watch that film by our higher authorities at one time. But its quite deep Profound but some may find it a bit…. Yes. May I humbly suggest those interested to watch this documentary A Beautiful Mind. Tq n tashi DELEK RINPOCHE n Khenytse foundation. org n All under Rinpoche Teams as sharing ony. Tq n tashi DELEK.
Tashi Delek sangha friends: yes I also love watching films. But to learn gently watching the breath, might be a good start, say Aaaah…and continue activity with faith;) The Aaaah is a Dzogchen method I learn ed from Sogyal Rinpoche, the breathing is stressed by f. i Situ Rinpoche .
Exciting!
What about preppers with a Bodhissatva’s way of life kind of thing ? I was thinking about that like that a lot lately and found your idea of resilience embracing that.