Namchak Community Blog

Despite our efforts to keep life manageable, the world is overwhelming. The issues we deal with in our personal lives – health, relationships, work – are further compounded by those affecting the global community. War, poverty, injustice, and environmental degradation loom large in our immediate experience like undeniable clouds on the periphery...

When Lama Tsomo was asked how she tackled the prodigious task of learning Tibetan, she had this to say. (The parallel to starting a meditation practice may surprise you!) "The first thing I did was give up. I was in my 40s when I started studying and I thought, 'This is a really hard language to learn! I’m in my 40s, I’m not going to be able to...

With so many retreats out there, deciding which one to attend can be tough. You can go to a retreat for meditation, writing, yoga, running, and more. You could probably even find one retreat to do all of those in one week. Everyone’s schedules seem only to get busier, so it’s important to make the most of your time by choosing the best retreat...

The following is an excerpt from Lama Tsomo’s book, Why is the Dalai Lama Always Smiling? First Key to a Daily Practice: Working It Into Your Schedule This is a key to success in your practice, so let’s spend some time on this one. It’s best, but not essential, to do your sessions just as you wake up in the morning. Most Tibetan practitioners do...

This practice may be easiest to understand by watching first. Start by watching this video. Then you can practice on your own or with Lama Tsomo’s guidance. Here’s a run-down to go along with the video. Grab a tissue, as Lama Tsomo always recommends a quick nose blow before doing this practice. Clearing the Stale Energies is a traditional...

It’s time to recharge those goals that we’ve let slip since January. Whether your goal was to eat cleaner, bike to work daily, or get eight hours sleep every night, it’s time to get back to it. Here are some ways to kickstart your goals: Know Thyself. Write a letter to yourself explaining how you’re feeling, where you’re at, and where you want to...

The following is an except from Lama Tsomo’s book, Why is the Dalai Lama Always Smiling? We now know that, since we’re made of Buddha Nature, we too can reach the end of all suffering, permanently. We can finally end our wandering and go back Home. For good. The Buddha laid out the actual methods for us to achieve this goal. He taught thousands...

This piece is part of a series meant to give readers an inside view of the Clearing the Lens Retreat that was held in June . Participants cultivated awareness within themselves while engaging with others to deepen sangha and gain tools to live happier and more meaningful lives. The workshop was led by Aaron Stern, president and founder of the The...

Even though the heat of summer is unrelenting, it won’t be long until there’s a coolness in the air and our schedules take a beat before hurling into autumn. It’s time to step back, reflect, and spend time with those we value most. Here are three ways to bring people together as fall sweeps in: Pass the Plate. Nothing builds community quite like...

Hello Body, we meet again. This piece is part of a series meant to give readers an inside view of the Clearing the Lens Retreat held in June. The workshop was led by Aaron Stern, president and founder of the Academy For the Love of Learning ®, and Marianne Murray, a member of the core faculty at the Academy. They were joined by Namchak...