Barbara's Bookstore Receives a Visit from Tsoknyi Rinpoche

Tsoknyi Rinpoche, a writer and teacher of Tibetan Buddhism, recently visited at the Burr Ridge Village Center.

When he first came here from Tibet, Tsoknyi Rinpoche observed many differences between his culture and that of the U.S. He said that in Tibet there is less development of the cognitive function. Although there is poverty and disorganization in the society, he said there is also a lot of joy.

An example he described was that in his country a person might spend two hours looking for a spoon, yet they are enjoying themselves the whole time. In our culture, we know exactly which box holds the spoon, but we may still be stressed and unhappy.

While he knows that his own culture could benefit from more development or emphasis on the cognitive, he feels that we could benefit from learning to connect "the child’s heart with the head." With our emphasis on the thinking mind, our fears "go into all of the body and become part of our ego-fixation."

It is scary to change a pattern. However, if we can give mindful attention to our own emotional state and allow ourselves to "just be" with that pattern—then "openness comes, sound comes, thought comes." Finally, we reach a deeper knowing of the truth of ourselves; our sense of joy is no longer hindered.

An audience member spoke of the stress she feels sometimes while raising children. Rinpoche described the image of a person sitting with a child on their lap. The child faces forward and feels space around him or her. The parent is the backbone, the foundation behind the child, but the child still feels free.

Tsoknyi Rinpoche's desire to understand, and his study and teaching of Tibetan Buddhism have led him to write three books, the most recent of which is Open Heart, Open Mind: Awakening the Power of Essence Love. His other books are titled, Fearless Simplicity, and Carefree Dignity. You can learn more about his work by visiting his website, www.TsoknyiRinpoche.org

*This essay was submitted by Dorothy Hurlburt, an employee of Barbara's Bookstore in Burr Ridge.