Taking Care of the Self

Altruism versus Co-dependency

Posted in Taking Care of the Self on May 10th, 2012 by Michael Jolliffe – Be the first to comment

How do we maintain a selfless attitude without falling into the co-dependent, helper/enabler syndrome – especially when complicated by low self-esteem issues? This is how Tubten Pende responded.

From Mandala August-September 2006.

To Wear Pain Like an Ornament

Posted in Taking Care of the Self on April 11th, 2012 by Michael Jolliffe – Be the first to comment

Elea Redel discusses in “To Wear Pain Like an Ornament“ how she learned from Lama Zopa Rinpoche to bring chronic pain and illness on the path. “Lama Zopa once told me that I should make my sickness my ornament,” Elea shares, ”and that ornament represents the suffering of all sentient beings. So using my sickness like this is my job.”

From Mandala April 1990. 

Leaving Mirages for Firm Ground

Posted in Taking Care of the Self on October 4th, 2011 by Carina Rumrill – Be the first to comment

A discussion of the relationship between psychotherapy and Buddhism called “Leaving Mirages for Firm Ground,” by Renate Ogilvie, from Mandala, May 1996.

Vegan Pumpkin “Cheesecake” Recipe

Posted in Taking Care of the Self on September 14th, 2011 by Carina Rumrill – Be the first to comment

Eating is such a common activity that we often forget that it also has the potential to be a powerful way to benefit ourselves and others. With a proper motivation, cooking and eating really can transform food into spiritual fuel. This issue’s online content features a vegan dessert recipe by Tsültrim Davis, currently spiritual program coordinator at Kurukulla Center in Massachusetts, USA, perfect for autumn when large squash, like pumpkins, are readily available.

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Move, Breathe and Be Kind

Posted in Taking Care of the Self on June 28th, 2011 by Michael Jolliffe – Be the first to comment

Wendy Cook, a student of FPMT since the late 1980s and former director of Kurukulla Center in Massachusetts, USA (among other positions within FPMT), generously offers “Move, Breathe and Be Kind” to help students connect with their bodies and minds through yoga.

From Mandala July-September 2011.

Anger Always Hurts Me

Posted in Taking Care of the Self on June 24th, 2011 by Michael Jolliffe – Be the first to comment

Jan Willis uses Shantideva’s Bodhicaryavatara and her experience in the Civil Rights Movement to discuss anger – the negative emotion that “is by far the most dangerous for it not only causes much harm to others; it is perhaps most harmful to us, ourselves.”

From Mandala July-September 2011.

This article is also made available in Hebrew, Russian and Spanish.

Confidence to Change the World

Posted in Taking Care of the Self on June 7th, 2011 by Michael Jolliffe – Be the first to comment

Lorne Ladner discusses confidence and self-esteem with Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

From Mandala January-March 2010.

Changing Suffering into Happiness: Andrew Vahldieck, USA

Posted in Taking Care of the Self on May 23rd, 2011 by Michael Jolliffe – Be the first to comment

Andrew Vahldieck  discusses how he became a quadriplegic thirty years ago, at the age of 17, in a swimming accident in Wisconsin, USA, and how Buddhism has helped him thrive while living with physical limitations.

From Mandala July-August 1999.

Reversing the Energy of Addiction

Posted in Taking Care of the Self on May 4th, 2011 by Michael Jolliffe – Be the first to comment

In “Reversing the Energy of Addiction,” Jindati Doelter writes about the life of Ngawang Chotok, one of Lama Yeshe’s earliest students. Chotok’s own addictions and recoveries have informed his meditations and practice profoundly.

From Mandala January-February 1996.