The heart of Dharma practice is meditation. The purpose of meditation is to make our mind calm and peaceful. If our mind is peaceful we shall be free from worries and mental discomfort, and so we shall experience true happiness; but if our mind is not peaceful we shall find it very difficult to be happy, even if we are living in the very best conditions. If we train in meditation our mind will gradually become more and more peaceful, and we shall experience a purer and purer form of happiness. Eventually we shall be able to stay happy all the time, even in the most difficult circumstances.

By training in meditation we create an inner space and clarity that enables us to control our mind regardless of external circumstances. Gradually we develop mental equilibrium, a balanced mind that is happy all the time, rather than an unbalanced mind that oscillates between the extremes of excitement and despondency.

Compiled from Introduction to Buddhism by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso with the kind permission of Tharpa Publications, London. @ Geshe Kelsang Gyatso and Manjushri Mahayana Buddhist Centre, 1993.

Sunday Service Classes are an inspiring and relaxing morning at Vajrayana Buddhist Center. Gen Khedrub will guide us through the essential meditations on the Buddhist path to enlightenment and explain clearly how these timeless wisdom teachings can enrich our experience of living. Suggested donation: $7 per class.

Classes meet every Sunday morning from 10-11am.
Tuesdays, 12:30-1:45pm-Vajrayana Buddhist Center-Oak Park
"The Path to Peace"

For more information, please email info@meditateinchicago.org or call 708-763-0132.