Anam Thubten - Embracing Each Moment: A Guide to the Awakened Life

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Embracing Each Moment

A GUIDE TO THE AWAKENED LIFE

Anam Thubten

Shambhala

BOULDER 2016

Shambhala Publications, Inc.

4720 Walnut Street

Boulder, Colorado 80301

www.shambhala.com

Cover art: Yun Han Xu/Getty Images

Cover design by Graciela Galup

2016 by Anam Thubten

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA

Names: Thubten, Anam, author.

Title: Embracing each moment : A guide to the awakened life / Anam Thubten.

Description: First Edition. | Boulder : Shambhala, 2016.

Identifiers: LCCN 2015038923 | eISBN 9780834840249 | ISBN 9781611803464 (pbk. : alk. paper)

Subjects: LCSH: Religious lifeBuddhism. | Spiritual lifeBuddhism.

Classification: LCC BQ5395 .T486 2016 | DDC 294.3/444dc23

LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2015038923

GRATITUDE

So many beautiful souls are gone,

just like the rainbow disappears.

Their faces are smiling in the shrine of my heart.

Ive tried to dream them many times,

so I can say thank you.

These are the most sacred words our lips can utter.

Each time we say them,

this invisible cold ice between us melts.

Thanks to my beloved ones,

You listened to my stories,

Shared thousands of delicious meals,

Opened my heart,

Accepted me the way I am.

Your presence never gave me sorrow,

only joy.

In your field,

my entire being is so relaxed.

Thank you to all my friends.

Your trust empowers me.

Our friendship showed me my own goodness.

The world is less strange because of you.

Im grateful to the earth for sustaining life,

Cloud for the rain

Flower for its beauty

Sea for its grace

Mountain for its majesty.

Never forget the animals.

Hummingbirds for making me smile by their cuteness,

Squirrels for making me laugh by their mischievousness,

Coyotes for invoking my wildness by their ghostly howling,

This world will be very lonely if theyre not here.

Im even grateful to problems.

They woke me up from my illusions

and led me to the path of compassion.

I would not trade them for anything.

Right now,

Under the full moons gaze,

Im writing THANK YOU in the air,

blowing kisses everywhere.

Open your heart

You might get one.

ANAM THUBTEN

Contents

THIS HUMAN LIFE IS AN AMAZING MIRACLE. WE CAN FEEL, taste, and touch. We can be sad, fall in love, and feel compassion toward others. Often we are amazed by the cosmic mystery, feeling our unique individuality in the infinite universe and having visions and curiosity about our destiny. We also have a complex cognitive ability that allows us to analyze. Have you ever wondered how you ended up here as a human being? At times we all go through challenges and suffering. In those moments its not so easy to be a human being. This is a reality that many people experience again and again. We see this in both ourselves and our loved ones. At other times, its fun to be human. We share delicious food, are enchanted by natures wonders, and do work that engages and inspires us. In the end, being human is a miracle, and life is a blessing. We all want to be happy. This seems to be our strongest impulse.

From ancient times to the present, people have worked on answering the question of how to achieve happiness. Primarily our happiness comes from our state of mind, though we cannot deny the fact that outside circumstances play a big role. Having our basic needs met can give us physical well-being and lessen our worries about finding food and shelter. Yet more and more we see that genuine happiness comes from deep within. It comes from letting go of our attachments to false beliefs about life and ourselves. It also comes from letting go of old emotional patterns and opening our hearts through love and compassion.

Also we should not be totally focused on ourselves. That makes us small inside and creates a great deal of suffering as well. When we are doing everything exclusively for ourselves, everything that happens to us through the dualistic dance of good and bad is determined in a very rigid way. It may be hard to imagine that we can be free from self-centeredness. Even if we do not completely let go of ego, at least we can be less self-centered. We can open our mind toward the vast state of our own consciousness, boundless love, unconditional joy, fearlessness, and all-encompassing compassion. There is so much we can miss in this world. Being too self-centered not only creates suffering, but it also holds us back from what we can be and experience.

Buddhism has extraordinary teachings that can help us bring more meaning to our everyday life. It helps us grow inside and find true happiness in our various circumstances. Personally, I feel blessed to have found Buddhism. It is the treasure of all treasures. My passion is to share its essential wisdom with others. I do this through teaching, primarily in the West but also periodically in the East. Most Westerners who come to my teachings are interested in the more meditative aspects of Buddhism. They seem to think they can transform their lives once they find the right methods. Theyre not looking for consolation from a higher power that might be either a divine entity or a supreme human being. This goes along with Buddhas famous statement: I can show you the way, but your liberation depends on you.

Personally, I feel that I have learned a great deal about the essence of Buddhism by living in the West. The relentless curiosity and inquisitiveness that is the foundation of this modern culture has helped me develop an intimate connection with a living and juicy Buddhism. Im truly happy to have the chance to teach and practice Buddhism in a world where there is open-mindedness and freedom on so many levels.

This book is based mainly on the public teachings I have offered in the San Francisco Bay Area. Usually the group is a mix of well-seasoned meditators and beginners. Some of them have already practiced Theravada, Vajrayana, or Zen Buddhism, as well as other non-Buddhist traditions. It is nice to be in a group where everyone contributes their own spiritual richness and background. I try, to the best of my ability, to use universal language to explain the core of Buddhist teachings. My intention is to make these teachings clear so that people can practice and integrate them into their everyday lives.

Let me take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to those whose support has made this book possible. There are many volunteers in my community who work hard to make my teachings available to the general public. I thank each of them. They are good-hearted and have the true intention to help others. I feel truly lucky to know these wonderful people. Sharon Roe is one whose constant encouragement is a force that motivated me to put this book together. My ongoing, positive connection with Shambhala Publications is also a blessing. The companys work brings much wisdom to the world. Thank you again. My wish is that this book will help people find clarity and courage, as well as freedom and true happiness, in day-to-day life.