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Tenzin Lama Sherpa, a master Reiki healer and global master teacher of Buddhist principles, speaks about awareness at Unity of Gainesville on Wednesday. Sherpa is a Tibetan Buddhist monk said to be from the same lineage as the Dalai Lama. (ERIN O. SMITH)
Buddhist monk focuses on peace, clarity of mind at Gainesville church
By Kelsey Williamson
March 14, 2015 1:30 a.m.
Tibetan Buddhist monk Tenzin Lama Sherpa is constantly aware of every moment in his life. He feels every breath he takes, notices the wind as it blows through his robes, and hears the faint sounds of nature all around him. Because of this awareness, he is at peace and has clarity of the mind.
Tenzin, who is said to be from the same lineage as the Dalai Lama, learned this practice when he was in the monastery 12 years ago. Now he travels all over the world to share his wisdom and teach awareness to anyone willing to learn.
On Wednesday night, he spoke to a group at Unity of Gainesville Church off Clarks Bridge Road.
"Awareness is like ice, and the mind is like water," Tenzin said. "They are the same but different. When ice melts, it becomes water and it is pure and clear."
He is a firm believer awareness can bring peace to the mind and help a person deal with problems, work more efficiently, be more focused and tap into happiness. Awareness, to Tenzin, is a key practice for unlocking the deepest parts of the self and living life to the fullest.
"One of the most precious things in the world is human life," he said. "Without awareness, we cannot get the full benefits of this life. We must use all five of our senses and see things for what they are."
When a person looks at something simply to look, or hears something just to hear, it frees the mind from judgment and allows people to enjoy the moment, Tenzin said. This kind of awareness eliminates any thoughts of self, which Buddhists believe leads to true happiness.
"Being aware of the moment prevents us from being upset about the past or nervous about the future," Tenzin said. "All of the happiness comes from wishing happiness to others. All of the suffering comes from wishing happiness to self."
True awareness and enlightenment is difficult for many people to reach, but the goal of the practice is to free the mind of any thoughts, especially negative ones. Once this point is reached, Tenzin feels people can be more focused, productive and at peace with their lives.
"The more awareness is developed, the more it will meld with the mind, and the world will become more and more clear," Tenzin said. "It’s not always meditating, it’s just living as it is and noticing that everything is changing every moment."
For Tenzin’s host and Unity of Gainesville member Nancy Amestoy, developing this awareness has been a practice she has worked at for years.
"We did a three-day silent meditation last year, and it was really hard to let all of those thoughts pass through," she said. "But on the third day, I had this clarity of a wide-open mind with no disturbances. I was magnetized to the spot I was in."
Although Amestoy has been practicing awareness and meditation for some time, Tenzin told beginners how to get started and practice awareness.
"Start by being aware of your inhale and exhale, listening to the sounds around you, paying attention to your sitting position, the wind, atmosphere, all of these things," he said. "Try to give one hour to awareness each day."
During this time, Tenzin noted it is important to let thoughts simply pass through the mind without following them because they always change. He emphasized thoughts and emotions are creations of the mind. If the mind can be clear, peace can be achieved, he said.
"Look at the nature of your thoughts," Tenzin said. "Are they beneficial to you or not? Be aware of thoughts, feelings, situations and circumstances. And use all five senses to achieve your goal of awareness."
Meditation to reach awareness can be achieved by sitting with feet flat on the floor and hands in the lap, or laying flat and looking at the ceiling.
Tenzin mentioned he has made four trips to Gainesville so far, but is taking a break soon to focus on his practices. However, he enjoys teaching others about awareness because he feels it can truly help people have peace in their lives.
"Everybody wants peace and happiness and health," he said. "Fighting in the world is because we don’t have peace in our minds."
Tenzin also suggests teaching anyone as young as 8 years old to practice awareness and meditation to help them be at peace. He suggested people start with as little as five minutes at a time.
"The Dalai Lama said that we can eliminate violence in the future if we teach kids to meditate," he said.
Tenzin Lama Sherpa, a master Reiki healer and global master teacher of Buddhist principles, speaks about awareness at Unity of Gainesville on Wednesday. Sherpa is a Tibetan Buddhist monk said to be from the same lineage as the Dalai Lama. (ERIN O. SMITH)
Buddhist monk focuses on peace, clarity of mind at Gainesville church
By Kelsey Williamson
March 14, 2015 1:30 a.m.
Tibetan Buddhist monk Tenzin Lama Sherpa is constantly aware of every moment in his life. He feels every breath he takes, notices the wind as it blows through his robes, and hears the faint sounds of nature all around him. Because of this awareness, he is at peace and has clarity of the mind.
Tenzin, who is said to be from the same lineage as the Dalai Lama, learned this practice when he was in the monastery 12 years ago. Now he travels all over the world to share his wisdom and teach awareness to anyone willing to learn.
On Wednesday night, he spoke to a group at Unity of Gainesville Church off Clarks Bridge Road.
"Awareness is like ice, and the mind is like water," Tenzin said. "They are the same but different. When ice melts, it becomes water and it is pure and clear."
He is a firm believer awareness can bring peace to the mind and help a person deal with problems, work more efficiently, be more focused and tap into happiness. Awareness, to Tenzin, is a key practice for unlocking the deepest parts of the self and living life to the fullest.
"One of the most precious things in the world is human life," he said. "Without awareness, we cannot get the full benefits of this life. We must use all five of our senses and see things for what they are."
When a person looks at something simply to look, or hears something just to hear, it frees the mind from judgment and allows people to enjoy the moment, Tenzin said. This kind of awareness eliminates any thoughts of self, which Buddhists believe leads to true happiness.
"Being aware of the moment prevents us from being upset about the past or nervous about the future," Tenzin said. "All of the happiness comes from wishing happiness to others. All of the suffering comes from wishing happiness to self."
True awareness and enlightenment is difficult for many people to reach, but the goal of the practice is to free the mind of any thoughts, especially negative ones. Once this point is reached, Tenzin feels people can be more focused, productive and at peace with their lives.
"The more awareness is developed, the more it will meld with the mind, and the world will become more and more clear," Tenzin said. "It’s not always meditating, it’s just living as it is and noticing that everything is changing every moment."
For Tenzin’s host and Unity of Gainesville member Nancy Amestoy, developing this awareness has been a practice she has worked at for years.
"We did a three-day silent meditation last year, and it was really hard to let all of those thoughts pass through," she said. "But on the third day, I had this clarity of a wide-open mind with no disturbances. I was magnetized to the spot I was in."
Although Amestoy has been practicing awareness and meditation for some time, Tenzin told beginners how to get started and practice awareness.
"Start by being aware of your inhale and exhale, listening to the sounds around you, paying attention to your sitting position, the wind, atmosphere, all of these things," he said. "Try to give one hour to awareness each day."
During this time, Tenzin noted it is important to let thoughts simply pass through the mind without following them because they always change. He emphasized thoughts and emotions are creations of the mind. If the mind can be clear, peace can be achieved, he said.
"Look at the nature of your thoughts," Tenzin said. "Are they beneficial to you or not? Be aware of thoughts, feelings, situations and circumstances. And use all five senses to achieve your goal of awareness."
Meditation to reach awareness can be achieved by sitting with feet flat on the floor and hands in the lap, or laying flat and looking at the ceiling.
Tenzin mentioned he has made four trips to Gainesville so far, but is taking a break soon to focus on his practices. However, he enjoys teaching others about awareness because he feels it can truly help people have peace in their lives.
"Everybody wants peace and happiness and health," he said. "Fighting in the world is because we don’t have peace in our minds."
Tenzin also suggests teaching anyone as young as 8 years old to practice awareness and meditation to help them be at peace. He suggested people start with as little as five minutes at a time.
"The Dalai Lama said that we can eliminate violence in the future if we teach kids to meditate," he said.
Iriana, I assume this is Gainesville Fl.? This is an excellent summary of Buddhist "mindfulness". I met a young man after ten days of silence of Vipassana (Buddhist) Meditation, and he was determined to bring Byron Katie's teaching there - (a couple of years ago). He was good leading me into her Inquiry Work. Thanks for this thorough posting, and I am going to copy it for my Mindfulness Group - studying Vipassana Meditation again (Mindfulness, In Plain English - Gunarata). The Dalai Lama sends his Monks to Vipassana (Insight) Meditation. Thanks a lot! Namaste', Ron
Well, now I am in Charleston, and Charleston Unity is hosting some Buddhist Monks who are building a large sand Mandala, which will be dismantled by the Monks Sunday After church, and dumped into Ashley River. Several events to donate to Monks as they build the mandala. I have participated in this type of ritual in California and Myrtle Beach, and it is all about the temporariness of life. By the way, the Dalai Lama is from the Mayahani tradition, while Vipassana is from the Theraveda tradition of Buddhism. I enjoy them both, and the Mayahani Meditation does include gongs and chanting. I went to H.S. and undergraduate at Clemson with relatives in that area, so attend Clemson/Anderson Unity when there. By the way, they appear to be losing their minister, so if you know anyone interested in your area let them know - about 70 -80 miles away I think?
Ron Alexander No thanks, however, I will share this post with minister and leaders at Unity. It is remarkable that Unity is in Gainesville, Ga. At one time it was a very racist foothill county that prided itself on having "no blacks" in the county. However, after Ralph Abernathy led a long "march" there (from Atlanta)in the Civil Rights days, they went through a lot of change to value diversity, and I am sure it is successfully integrated now, thankfully!
Iriana L. Yoshara Ron I lived in Cumming GA for about 15 years so what you shared was astounding to me when I discovered it. Blew me away! Tenzin begins his journey in GA by staying at NaMestoy Farm. It is a beautiful retreat and community that is in Cumming. The first time Tenzin visited his Opening Ceremony attracted 100 guests. We were amazed. There was an article in the Forsyth News and it brought many out to hear him. He visits there usually about twice a year and then does his work in the area. Thank you for sharing the post with the Unity Church leaders. That would be great.
Ron Alexander Is Cumming near Gainesville? There is a very close disciple of Yogananda who has a Retreat above Rome, where he teaches Meditation. I am always inspired when I hear of these positive changes!
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