Liberation from suffering is a high priority for Anyen Rinpoche.
“Authentic spirituality can free us from so many different emotions—suffering and pain,” the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual teacher and author told more than 40 people seated on yoga rolls and cushions at the Gold Gym Sattva Yoga centre, April 25.
“We expect so much from our soul mates,” he explained, “but we are just human beings—we have to have realistic expectations from our relationships and not be too selfish—catch our emotions before they escalate.”
After opening the session with prayer, Rinpoche, traditionally clothed in Kasaya, the special dress of ordained people, gave his views on ego, negative identity and self-importance and how it robs us of our quality of life.
According to Rinpoche, who visits the Beaconsfield centre twice a year to teach on various spiritual topics, we are slaves to our minds, where thoughts, desires and fears rule us like a tyrant.
“We are not unique in our fears and desires,” he said. “Whenever we feel our thoughts emotions and desires are unique, we always lose. If we instead take a step back and see what is arising in the mind, we will have a chance to free ourselves from that tyrant who causes pain and suffering.”
“To have better relationships in this day and age we need spirituality,” Rinpoche explained. “Defining spirituality is broad and can be anything from physical yoga or something as random as climbing or activities that mean spirituality to you.”
Brought up in a traditional Tibetan culture, the former monk gave up celibacy when he met his wife Allison an American. For Rinpoche they are the perfect example of compromise that is required for any relationship to work.
More information about the teachings of Anyen Rinpoche can be found at www.orgyenkhamdroling.ca/anyenrinpoche.html