Photo by Ky Olsen.

The receptive state of listening is a kind of auditory meditation, says Sakyong Mipham. It’s an important way to gain wisdom and insight. But it’s not easy.

Vipashyana meditation can eventually show us the basic nature of everything, says Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. It has the power to cut samsara at the root—to liberate us from ignorance.

Meditating and running go hand in hand, says Sakyong Mipham. Exercise can be a support for meditation, and meditation can be a support for exercise.

Most of us think of cheerfulness as something that shows up in our life for random reasons—a nice day or a birthday party. But genuine cheerfulness, says Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, is even better than that.

Photo illustration by Jessica von Handorf (source photos © zsolt suto and istockphoto.com/malerapaso)

When we have confidence in our inherent basic goodness, says Sakyong Mipham, we sparkle with brightness and vitality.

If there’s a rock in your path, you have to move it, go around it, or climb over it. The same is true in meditation, says Sakyong Mipham.

Through the practice of meditation, we discover an unconditional confidence that transforms our lives and benefits others.

Although the world gives us plenty of evidence to the contrary, human nature is basically good, says Sakyong Mipham.

Photo by Ik T.

Our motivation determines our success on the spiritual path, says Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. And the greatest of all is the vow to save all sentient beings.

Photo by A Gude.

Putting others first—it’s the great switch that changes everything. It cuts samsara at the root and plants the seed of enlightenment. Sakyong Mipham on how to be a bodhisattva.