Let’s begin gently.
Buddhism is not a soothing balm for temporary discomfort, though it may offer relief. It is not a technique for stress relief, nor a quiet corner of escape. It is a path—ancient, profound, and transformative. While moments of calm and clarity may arise, they are not the final destination. They are like the fragrance of flowers you pass on the way—pleasant, but not the root.
The aim of the path is awakening.
Not the awakening of momentary insight or convenience. But the deep, enduring shift in how we perceive reality and self—an unfolding, sometimes fierce, sometimes tender. Like a moon slowly revealing itself through clouds. The process is not always smooth. Nor was it ever promised to be.
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Our historical teacher, the Buddha Shakyamuni, remained silent for weeks after his realization. Not from doubt, but from deep understanding. He knew the path requires great willingness, and not all are ready to walk it.
Still, here you are. Practicing. Reading. Willing.
Along the way, peace may grow quietly within you. And yes, you may encounter siddhis—extraordinary abilities that arise from deep meditative absorption. Perceptions beyond the ordinary. They are real, but they are not the goal. Let your fixation on them go, like fragrances on the wind.
The true compass of this path is awakening for the sake of all beings.
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That is why, at the end of a meditation session or Dharma teaching, we dedicate the merit—not to ourselves, but outward. Because even the smallest acts of clarity or kindness ripple far beyond our knowing. Because someone else, somewhere, is aching—just as you have ached. And when pain comes, and you remember others feel this too, something opens. The grip of self-importance loosens. You remember that suffering is shared, not private.
So when the tea is warm, when the sunlight lingers, when connection stirs in the heart—extend it. In thought, in wish. “May others feel this, too.” May this warmth touch places beyond me. May joy be passed along, quietly, without fanfare.
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There are only a few live meditation classes left in Stockholm before we pause for the summer. But practice is not bound by a schedule. It continues in the soft threads of your day.
Stay tuned—digital meditation courses are on their way.
And if your heart longs for a gentle reminder of lovingkindness, you can download a free excerpt on Metta here from my e-book Triyana Meditation – Keys to Sustainable Happiness. A drop of Metta to carry with you:
“May I be safe.
May I be at ease.
May I be free from suffering.
May all beings, near and far,
Be held in this same wish.”
There is nothing cute about the path. But there is truth in it.
And sometimes, truth is the most compassionate thing there is.
/ Lama Chimey
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Lama Chimey 