Recently, H.E. Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche began what will be an ongoing gathering to enrich Tibetan children and parents on topics of their choice as a family together. This began on Sunday, February 12th and was held at the Shoreline Senior Center. Rinpoche gave a talk on “Happy Meditation”, and then discussed the Losar Celebration next. Everyone was very intent on learning together and had a wonderful time doing so. After the two discussions came time for the children to give their meditation practice a try. As you can see from the beautiful pictures, the children did a wonderful job of putting Rinpoche’s instructions to use. It is clear to see the pure effort coming forth as they try diligently to clear their minds and use the meditation techniques. Rinpoche was kind enough to share a synopsis of his meditation instruction and direction in how to utilize the Dalai Lama’s ability to help them with situations that they face as children.

First sit down, legs crossed. In the Lotus posture if you are able, like Buddha- or half lotus posture. Then, put your left hand down and right hand inside the left hand, thumbs touching together. Straighten your spine and close your eyes naturally. Relax your whole body and then visualize in front of you, above a little bit in front of you (2 feet) . Visualize a baby Dalai Lama, about 4-5 years old, wearing the monk’s robes. He is sitting down in the same posture as you. His face is smiling brightly. Think about the Dalai Lama being able to know everything that you are thinking. He has great love, compassion, wisdom, and power. He can help you with whatever you need. Then visualize from the Dalai Lama’s heart, a light line coming out, coming down between you and him halfway. From your heart rays a white light going up and touches the Dalai Lama’s light- your light together becomes one line light; white color, so peaceful. Then visualize now the Dalai Lama’s peaceful and compassionate mind and your mind becoming one mind. Connecting minds. Keep this feeling and be happy and relaxed for 3 minutes.

 Just concentrate on this mind and the light. This mind is like a wire. Your mind and the Dalai Lama’s mind become one mind. Now, it comes into your heart, goes back to Dalai Lama’s heart. Light comes, goes, comes, goes, slowly comes, slowly goes back into Dalai Lama’s mind and comes back…For another 3 minutes.

Then recite “Gyalwa Rinpoche Kyenno”, slowly 7 times. No need to say it loudly; say it silently in your mind. This means, “The Dalai Lama knows everything.” Also, this means, “Dalai Lama, please lead me, please bless me.” Then the baby Dalai Lama becomes small, small, small, very small. This very little tiny Dalai Lama dissolves into the light, the white light that comes from his heart. Then this little, tiny Dalai Lama comes thru the light, goes inside the light and then dissolves into your heart with the light. Now visualize the little tiny Dalai Lama inside your heart. Then open your eyes and relax, look around…

Anytime that you don’t understand an answer from your homework, you can visualize the Dalai Lama in front of you , as you meditate at the meditation time. Then say, “Gyalwa Rinpoche, His Holiness, please give me the wisdom to understand the answers from my homework”. Then you pray and the Dalai Lama can give you the wisdom to understand all of these answers. Also, when you have a cold, fever or cough from school or outside. At that time you can visualize the Dalai Lama in the space in front of you and pray. Saying, “Please Dalai Lama, Gyalwa Rinpoche, please bless me. Please help me to recover from my cold, flu, I want to go to school.” At that time the Dalai Lama can bless you. If at times at night you become scared or nervous because of the dark in your bedroom. At that time you can visualize the brilliant light of the Dalai Lama in front of u and pray, “Please Dalai Lama, bless me. I need your help to go to sleep well.” Then, His Holiness will bless you. No matter if the Dalai Lama stays in India, Dharamsala, or Europe; he can see you directly, because he loves Tibetan kids very much. So he can see directly, as if he is using a telescope. Please keep this in your mind, and every morning please do 3 prostrations in front of the Dalai Lama’s picture and pray that the  Dalai Lama will bless you. Also, before you go to bed at night, please do 3 prostrations and pray for the Dalai Lama’s blessings.

The Tibetan community will come together on a regular basis with Rinpoche in this way. We look forward to checking in and seeing the progress being made, and getting a glimpse of these precious  moments that the children experience.

Photo Credit- Kurt Smith Photography