THE MIND OF MEDITATION

With this issue, Bodhi introduces a yearlong consideration of the practice of meditation. An overview and examination of the practice that is the cornerstone and companion of all Buddhist meditation practices, known variously as shamatha, calm abiding, or tranquility meditation, is presented in our first and second issues of this volume. Our third and fourth issues are devoted to a presentation of the views and methods of vipashyana, or insight meditation, which lead to a direct experience of the essential nature of all things.

ONE-POINTED AND JO
by The Seventeenth Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje
There are many methods for creating a mind that is one-pointed and joyful, the most important of which is meditation. It is said that the Buddha taught eighty-four thousand gates of samadhi. If they were all condensed, what would be central? Calm abiding (shamatha) and deeper insight (vipashyana).

THE SECRET MIND
by The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche
Someone who does not know the "secret of mind," the supreme and main point of all Dharma, will fail to accomplish happiness or to escape suffering because liberation and happiness depend upon recognizing and practicing this "secret," which refers to knowing how to work directly with the mind.

ENTERING THE OCEAN OF SHAMATHA
by Ven. Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche
If you become trained in shamatha practice, then you will be able to direct your attention to whatever dharma practice you undertake. Because you have gained the ability to put the mind one-pointedly on whatever you chose, you will not become distracted no matter what you are practicing. All practices will be workable and yield the benefits associated with them.

BEGINNING PROPERLY
by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche
As you are breathing, just go out with the breath. When the breath dissolves, wait as you breathe in, and then go out again. It is very natural and very slow. When thoughts come, label them, "thinking." You have to be very precise about the whole thing. You can't miss an inch. You can't think twice-thinking that you are thinking, "thinking" - it has to be right on the dot.

MIND IN THE PRESENT
by Ven. Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche
It is said that when we first practice shamatha our mind resembles a crazy elephant that runs amok and does a lot of harm. Whether we use the body of a deity or our breath as the object of our observation, we need to hold our mind to that object and stay with it. ...using mindfulness as our rope, we tie this crazy mind to the object of observation.

SOCIETY AND ENVIRONMENT

WHERE PROBLEMS COME FROM
by The Seventeenth Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje
In this world today, there are so many troubles and difficulties, which are mainly due to pride, jealousy, and the desire to be the most important. Where do these come from? They arise from the absence of sincere, positive intentions, the lack of affection for one another, and the want of mutual respect.

WORKING WITH TEENAGERS: THE PRACTICE OF CONTEMPLATIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY
An Interview with Joanne Neiman, Bill Sell and Brus Westby
...when kids get caught up in strong emotions, they feel really cornered. They don't see a way out except fight or flight. But if they see that there is workability in their lives, and if we speak to those bright and creative qualities of bodhichitta-even when they act out - then eventually they start to respond in a way that is healthy.

DEPARTMENTS

POETRY:
The Facts Are Where? 19 by Megan Johnston

Teaching Schedule of The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche

Teaching Schedule of Ven. Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche

Bodhi Directory

Last Words:
Crossword by Kathy Penny