Can Wildfires Awaken Us to The Impermanence of Our Precious Lives?

The teachings on impermanence remind us of a truth we often shy away from: nothing lasts forever. We live amidst constant change, and the things we hold dear, the places we call home, even the people we cherish, are all subject to time and transformation. Can wildfires awaken us to the impermanence of our precious lives? This realization is not meant to bring despair but to awaken us to the preciousness of each moment and the urgency of living with intention.

The recent wildfires consuming parts of Los Angeles—a city I once called home—serve as a vivid reminder of this truth. A place that shaped countless lives, including my own, now faces an unrelenting force of nature. These fires strip away the familiar, leaving behind only ash and memory. Yet, within such loss lies a stark clarity: life is fragile, unpredictable, and achingly precious. We cannot take anything or anyone for granted.

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Living Fully Amid Change

Buddhist teachings encourage us to meet impermanence with courage and clarity. It is not about clinging to what will inevitably change but about opening our hearts to the beauty of what is here, right now. The joy of a conversation, the kindness of a stranger, the simple act of breathing—all these moments become profoundly meaningful when we recognize their impermanence.

When we embrace this truth, we begin to see each day as an opportunity—a chance to grow, to connect, and to deepen our understanding of ourselves and others. By releasing our grasp on what cannot be held, we make space for renewal and transformation, for fresh beginnings amid the remnants of the past.

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Impermanence also calls us to cultivate resilience and compassion. When life consumes what we love, it is our inner strength and our care for one another that carry us through. A whispered word of comfort, the quiet presence of a friend, or the shared silence of meditation can transform pain into connection and growth. How we live—how we choose to treat others and how we care for ourselves—matters deeply.

Seizing the Moment

There is no better time than now to live fully and authentically. If there is someone you’ve been meaning to reconnect with, reach out. If there’s a dream you’ve been putting off, take the first step. If gratitude has been overshadowed by routine, pause and reflect on the gifts you already have. These actions, however small, are the seeds of a meaningful life.

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If you want to have my support and the support of a meditation community, consider joining us for the workshop Fresh Start, New Beginning, January 19th in Stockholm. Together, we will listen inward, set our intentions forward, and lay the groundwork for a year of meditation ahead. This workshop is designed to help you align with your deeper aspirations, offering a sacred space to reflect and renew. Be the beacon you want to be in life by committing to your inner work. Regular Triyana Meditation classes in Stockholm begin in February—a perfect opportunity to nurture your practice and connect with others on the path. By building a foundation of consistent meditation, you can strengthen your ability to navigate life’s inevitable changes with grace and purpose.

A Call to Reflect and Act

When the world shifts, we are reminded not only of what can be lost but also of what can be gained: a deeper appreciation for life’s fragility and a renewed commitment to live with purpose. Are we living in alignment with our values? Are we expressing the love and gratitude we feel? Are we stepping forward with courage and clarity?

This is not a call to perfection but a call to presence. When we embrace impermanence, we stop sleepwalking through life. We wake up to its vibrancy, its urgency, and its infinite potential. Each day, each interaction, and each breath becomes an opportunity to create meaning.

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May we all learn to cherish each moment, to seize opportunities while they are present, and to hold one another close, knowing that nothing—and no one—is guaranteed to stay. May we move forward with open hearts, clear intentions, and a willingness to embrace the painful yet meaningful lessons of impermanence.

Join the Journey

If you feel inspired to take the next step in your meditation journey, join us for our upcoming events. The Fresh Start, New Beginning workshop offers a profound way to start the year with clarity and intention. Our regular Triyana Meditation classes in Stockholm, starting in February, provide a supportive environment to deepen your practice and anchor your inner work. Together, we can face life’s changes with strength, resilience, and compassion.

Heartfelt Greetings,

Lama Chimey

Start Laying the Foundation for Your New Meditation Year, a Fresh Start – New Beginning

The start of a new year brings the perfect opportunity to reflect, reset, and set intentions for the path ahead. This moment offers a rare opportunity to ask ourselves: How do I want to live? What qualities do I want to cultivate? What would it mean to live with greater clarity, compassion, and balance?

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For those seeking clarity, compassion, and stability in their lives, meditation offers a transformative foundation. Not as a quick fix but as a lifelong journey. Meditation is a practice that nurtures the qualities we most deeply seek: peace, resilience, and a connection to what truly matters. Yet, starting and sustaining a meditation practice isn’t always easy. It requires not only commitment but also an understanding of the deeper principles that make it meaningful and transformative.A consistent practice doesn’t just calm the mind—it becomes a way to grow, transform, and navigate life’s challenges with wisdom and equanimity.

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Triyana Meditation draws inspiration from the three schools of Buddhism: Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna. These schools each offer profound insights and techniques to help us overcome obstacles and deepen our connection to ourselves and the world around us. I will delve deeper into this in my upcoming in-person workshop, Fresh Start – New Beginning, but here’s a glimpse of the foundational principles that can inspire and sustain your meditation practice:

The Three Pillars of Triyana Meditation

  1. The Theravāda Path: Turning Inward
    The journey often begins with a realization: the pursuit of worldly happiness never truly satisfies. This path invites us to turn inward, seeking a life that is not only happier but also more meaningful. It’s about cultivating clarity of mind, letting go of distractions, and discovering inner peace.
  2. The Mahāyāna Path: Extending Compassion
    As we progress, we see that everyone shares the same desire for happiness and freedom from suffering. The Mahāyāna perspective broadens our intention, encouraging us to use what we learn not just for ourselves but to benefit others. Through this, compassion becomes the driving force of our practice.
  3. The Vajrayāna Path: Transforming Obstacles
    Life is full of challenges, but the Vajrayāna path teaches us to transform obstacles in their place. Anger can be turned into clarity, desire to contentment, ego-pride into equanimity. Instead of avoiding difficulties, we learn to meet them head-on and use them as fuel for growth.

These principles form the foundation of Triyana Meditation, blending the wisdom of all three schools into a practice that is both transformative and practical.

The Power of Philosophy in Practice

Understanding the philosophy behind your meditation practice is like adding fuel to the fire of your intention. It turns a simple act of sitting still into a profound journey of self-discovery and transformation. When you understand why you’re practicing—whether it’s to cultivate peace, support others, or overcome your challenges—you gain a sense of direction and purpose. This clarity keeps you anchored when distractions arise or when the practice feels difficult or stagnant.

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Philosophy provides context to the techniques, helping us move beyond seeing meditation as just a tool for relaxation. It becomes a way of life—a lens through which we approach everything, from our relationships to our work and daily decisions. By reflecting on the deeper principles of Triyana Meditation, such as compassion, clarity, and transformation, we align our practice with values that resonate deeply, making it not just a habit but a meaningful and transformative journey.

The Strength of Community

If you’ve ever tried to establish a meditation practice on your own, you know how isolating it can sometimes feel. Sitting in silence can be powerful, but without a teacher and the support of others, it’s easy to lose momentum or feel disconnected from the larger picture. That’s why community is so powerful—it reminds us that while meditation is deeply personal, it is not something we have to do alone.

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Practicing together creates a shared sense of purpose and connection. In a community, we hold space for each other, encouraging and inspiring one another to keep going, especially during challenging times. The collective energy of a group amplifies the benefits of meditation, making the experience richer and more fulfilling. Community also fosters accountability and provides a safe space to share insights, ask questions, and grow together. Through this shared journey, we realize that by supporting each other, we all progress further along the path.

An Invitation to Begin Together

For those ready to take their first steps—or deepen an existing practice—I invite you to join the workshop, Fresh Start – New Beginning: A Workshop in Triyana Meditation, coming up on January 19th in Stockholm.

In this three-hour session, we will explore:

  • How to lay a sustainable foundation for your meditation practice in the year ahead.
  • The three pillars of Triyana Meditation and how they can guide your path.
  • A transformative guided meditation to release old patterns and embrace the new with clarity and compassion.

Workshop Details:

  • Location: Yoga Shakti, Högbergsgatan 30A, Södermalm, Stockholm
  • Date & Time: January 19th, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

This workshop is designed to provide both beginners and experienced practitioners with tools, insights, and a supportive space to set the tone for a meaningful meditation year.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT HERE

Your Journey Begins Here

Whether you choose to join the workshop or embark on your practice at home, let this be the year you build a meditation practice rooted in clarity, compassion, and transformation. Embrace the wisdom of the Buddhist path, and let Triyana Meditation guide you toward a happier, more meaningful life.

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Together, let’s create a foundation that will support us, inspire us, and carry us forward in the months ahead as we need each other, our good intentions and stable minds more than ever.

Here’s to a year of growth, connection, and peace.

Lama Chimey

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Lucia, The Return of Light: Inner Radiance, and Buddha Nature

The Light in the Darkness
In Sweden, December is a time when the sun offers only fleeting visits. The days are short, the nights long, and the darkness pervasive. Yet, amidst this, we celebrate Lucia—a luminous symbol of hope, courage, and the returning light. The image of a white-clad figure crowned with candles walking through the dark is as poignant as it is beautiful.

This tradition resonates deeply with Buddhist teachings on Buddha nature, the pure and radiant essence that lies within all beings. Just as Lucia’s light pierces the physical darkness, the realization of our inner light dispels the shadows of ignorance, revealing the spacious, luminous nature of mind.

A Memory of Light and Song
Decades ago, during my time at acting school, I was given the honor of playing Lucia. Dressed in my grandmother’s wedding gown, I walked gracefully through the school’s corridors, a procession of classmates behind me. Their voices, clear and angelic, sang the traditional hymns of Lucia, filling the air with something timeless and sacred.

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Carrying the light felt symbolic of something far greater than myself. It was as if the act of walking—surrounded by music, love, and hope—was a reflection of the spiritual journey I was about to take. In that moment, I felt deeply connected to something beyond words: the unbroken, luminous potential within each of us.

The Path to Realizing Buddha Nature
In Buddhism, Buddha nature is not something we attain but something we uncover. It is the innate, spacious clarity of our mind, present in all beings regardless of circumstances. Just as the light of Lucia shines through the darkness, our Buddha nature is always there, waiting to be recognized.

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Here are some practices to help you realize this inner radiance and spacious nature:

  1. Meditate on Stillness
    Sit quietly and focus on your breath. As you breathe in, imagine spaciousness expanding within you; as you breathe out, let go of tension, thoughts, and distractions. Allow the mind to settle naturally into its clear and luminous state.
  2. Reflect on Interconnectedness
    Recognize that your inner light is not separate from the world around you. Spend time contemplating how your thoughts, actions, and energy influence others and how their light uplifts you in turn.
  3. Practice Loving-Kindness
    Radiate warmth toward yourself and others. Begin with yourself: silently repeat, “May I be happy, may I be peaceful, may I awaken to my inner light.” Extend this wish to others, imagining their own inner light shining brightly.
  4. Observe Nature
    Spend time in nature, rest from your phone for a while, take a walk noticing how light and space exist effortlessly. Whether it’s the play of sunlight on snow or the vastness of a winter sky, let these natural elements remind you of the spacious clarity of your mind.
  5. Embrace the Shadows
    Just as Lucia walks into the darkness, we can face our own shadows with courage. Bring self-compassion to your fears, doubts, and suffering. These experiences are not obstacles to your Buddha nature—they are opportunities to reveal it.

Hope, Warmth, and the Light Within
Lucia is a tradition steeped in warmth and beauty, offering solace in the year’s darkest days. Her light reminds us that no matter how deep the shadows, the dawn will come. Similarly, the realization of Buddha nature is a return to our truest self, where light and spaciousness are infinite and unchanging.

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May this season inspire you to walk gracefully through life’s corridors, guided by your inner light. And may your practice, like Lucia’s procession, illuminate the world around you, bringing hope, warmth, and joy to all beings.

Love & Light,

Lama Chimey

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Stay on the Path: The Power of Depth in Meditation

In a world overflowing with options and endless distractions, the restless mind craves novelty. It is easy to treat meditation like a collection of shimmering jewels—sampling one, then another, dazzled by their surfaces but never unlocking the treasures within. Yet, the essence of meditation lies not in skimming across the waves but in diving deeply, allowing the ocean’s quiet mystery to envelop you.

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For beginners, it is natural—and even encouraged—to explore. Like bees seeking nectar, we flit from flower to flower, searching for what feels right. But eventually, if we are to taste the true sweetness, we must settle on a single bloom and return to it, again and again, with unwavering attention.

Why Depth Matters

Meditation isn’t about finding peace alone, peace is only part of the journey, and a pre-requisite to go deeper and finding treasures of insight. Meditation isn’t about managing stress—it’s a path to profound understanding and awakening. Meditation is not merely a practice; it is a journey inward, a return to our original nature. To go deep is to confront the truth of your being—the beauty, the ache, the infinite vastness. This cannot be rushed or discovered through surface-level dabbling. Depth demands commitment.

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The deeper you go, the more the layers of the mind unfold:

• First, you meet restlessness and resistance, the mind’s ceaseless chatter and doubt. These are not barriers but gates, inviting you to go further.

• Then comes stillness, not as an absence, but as a living, breathing presence that holds you. Here, insight arises—not from thought, but from a wisdom that emerges like light through the cracks.

• Finally, the path disappears, and you see that the destination was never elsewhere—it was always within you.

In Buddhist traditions, we call this the practice of going beyond. Beyond distraction. Beyond doubt. Beyond self.

Triyana Meditation: A Path for Depth Seekers

Triyana Meditation is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It is a system rooted in the profound teachings of Buddhism’s three great vehicles:

• Theravāda, which offers the grounding of discipline and clarity, like the roots of a great tree.

• Mahāyāna, which opens the heart to compassion as vast as the sky.

• Vajrayāna, which reveals the luminous essence of all things, hidden in plain sight.

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These traditions are not separate streams but tributaries flowing into the same river. In Triyana, we guide you step by step, inviting you to journey deeper, honoring where you are while offering tools to explore what lies beyond.

Your Invitation to Go Deeper

The Triyana Meditation Teacher Training begins on April 4th, 2025. This program is primarily for teachers and coaches, but open for anyone who are ready to put in the work because the yearning to uncover meditation’s true depth—through a journey of study, practice, and awakening, is calling you to go deeper.

Enrollment is now open, with a Super Early Bird discount available until December 13th, 2024.

Commit to a single path, and the path will reveal its endless expanse.

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As one teacher said:

“If you chase two rabbits, you will lose them both. Chase one, and it will lead you to the forest’s heart.”

Take this moment. Choose the well you will dig. Go deep enough, and the living water will rise to meet you.

— Lama Chimey

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Taming the Mad Drunk Moose: The Art of Inner Stillness

In the deep woods of our inner lives, there is a mad drunk moose—charging, restless, trampling every tender sapling of peace. Wild and unguided, it thrashes through memories, hopes, regrets, and fears, leaving only chaos in its wake. This is the mind untrained, untethered, refusing stillness.

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But the forest holds secrets. There is a path through the dense underbrush, one that transforms the wild moose into a calm and noble presence. This is the practice of shamatha, a journey of quiet persistence that softens the rough edges of our thoughts and allows us to witness the mind in its natural, untroubled state.

The Nine Steps to Taming

Like soft rains that shape stone over time, the nine steps of shamatha slowly mold our untamed minds. They guide us, not with force but with gentle repetition, toward a stillness that is both powerful and luminous.

  1. Placing the Mind
    We invite the mind to the breath, that ancient rhythm of life. It comes hesitantly, distracted and unsure, but it comes.
  2. Continuous Placement
    A fragile thread forms between the breath and awareness. The mind drifts, yet it returns more readily, like a moose pausing to listen to the wind.
  3. Returning Placement
    We mend the moments of distraction, patching them with patience by returning to the breath again and again. The mind learns to return, not out of command, but out of trust.
  4. Completely Focused Placement
    The bond strengthens. The breath becomes an anchor, holding the mind steady even as the world hums and sways.
  5. Subduing the Mind by Applying Antidotes
    The moose begins to trust its own stillness. The wild energy of distraction fades, replaced by the first glimpses of calm.
  6. Pacifying the Mind
    Here is the first breath of true peace. The moose no longer fights stillness but finds refuge in it.
  7. Completely Pacified Mind
    The wildness is nearly gone. Thoughts arise like birds in flight but do not disturb the ground they leave behind.
  8. Single-Pointed Focus
    Stillness becomes second nature. The breath and the mind move as one, inseparable and steady.
  9. Equanimous Stillness – Entrance into Samadhi
    The forest is quiet now. The moose stands at ease, grazing without fear. The mind rests in its own clarity, undisturbed by the noise of the world.

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The Masculine Within the Mind

This practice is not just about calming the storm within but also about rethinking what it means to hold strength. The moose, in all its power and untamed glory, is a masculine force—unyielding, unpredictable. Yet its true strength is revealed in its capacity to find stillness, to become a protector of the forest rather than its destroyer.

Today, in a world of shifting expectations and deepening divides, the conversation about masculinity feels urgent. How do we guide the wild strength of the masculine toward nurture, support, and creation rather than destruction? How do we empower men—fathers, sons, brothers—, as well as this rampant masculine force within all of us, to embody compassion alongside courage?

Alexandra Pascalidou’s book Papporna (The Fathers) offers a glimpse into this reimagining of strength. Through the voices of fathers, it shows the beauty of masculine vulnerability, the quiet courage of care, and the transformative power of presence. It reminds us that the same energy that charges destructively through life can also be harnessed to uplift and protect.

An Invitation

So, let us sit. Let us breathe. Let us begin to tame the moose—not with chains, but with compassion. In taming our minds, we learn to hold strength with grace, to wield power with care, and to become protectors of both our inner forests and the people who walk them with us.

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If you’re ready to take this practice deeper, keep an eye out for the reopening of my digital course Inner Stillness. It’s a guided journey into cultivating calm and clarity, perfect for those looking to take the first steps or deepen their meditation practice. Follow this space for updates, and don’t forget to connect with me on Instagram, where I share teachings, reflections, and insights most often.

May the wild within us find its stillness, and may we all—regardless of gender—grow into the noble strength of protectors and caretakers.

With steady breath,
Lama Chimey

Psychology Soothes the Ego, Buddhism Lets It Go: Why We Need Both for a Balanced Life

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We live in a world that tells us to find ourselves, heal ourselves, and be ourselves. Psychology offers us tools for this journey, helping us soothe the cracks and bruises of the ego. It teaches us how to function better in relationships, careers, and life. Psychology soothes the ego, buddhism lets It go, we need both for a balanced life.

However, Buddhism doesn’t stop at healing. It takes the ego—the very thing we’ve worked so hard to patch up—and whispers, Let it go.

The Ego’s Comfort Zone

Psychology works with the ego, not against it. Through therapy and self-reflection, we learn to hold the ego gently, to understand its fears and soothe its pains. A well-cared-for ego allows us to find stability, communicate better, and live with greater ease.

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Think of the ego as a home. Sometimes it’s cozy, other times it’s a little chaotic, but it’s ours. Psychology helps us clean up the clutter and reinforce the walls. It makes life livable, and that’s no small feat.

Buddhism’s Call to Let Go

Buddhism invites us to see that the ego—the “I” we cling to so tightly—is like an illusion. It’s a clever construction, held together by habits, fears, and desires. And while it feels real, it keeps us trapped in cycles of attachment and suffering.

However, this realization comes with a danger: misunderstanding emptiness as nothingness. This is the trap of nihilism—the belief that if the self is an illusion, then nothing matters, and life has no meaning. Nihilism can lead to apathy, despair, or even cynicism, none of which reflect the teachings of the Buddha.

Buddhism teaches emptiness, but not as a void of meaning or purpose. Instead, emptiness reveals the interconnectedness of all things. It is not a denial of existence but an invitation to experience life beyond clinging and separation. The ego may dissolve, but what emerges is a vast, luminous awareness filled with compassion and wisdom. In this interconnected web of life, we see that we are not isolated beings but deeply interdependent. We depend on each other and need each other now more than ever, especially in a world that often feels divided. Recognizing this, we can move forward with a heart rooted in kindness and a commitment to collective well-being.

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True liberation comes not from abandoning meaning but from letting go of false attachments and discovering the profound fullness that lies beyond. This is why the path requires both clarity and guidance—so that we can dismantle illusions without falling into despair. That’s why I’ve made myself available in the world again, after all those years in monasteries, and have created the Triyana Meditation System. It serves as a bridge into our Western day and age, rooted in traditional Eastern meditation techniques that have been time-tested for their transformative power. Through this system, I’m making these profound practices accessible, relevant, and supportive for you to take part of.

Why Both Paths Matter

Psychology and Buddhism may seem like opposites, but they’re not enemies. In fact, they complement each other beautifully. For many of us, psychological care is the foundation we need before we can begin the Buddhist path. A soothed ego creates the stability to ask the deeper, harder questions—and the resilience to not succumb under their weight.

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Psychology gives us tools to navigate the world; Buddhism shows us how to transcend it. One path comforts the self, the other dissolves it. Both are acts of profound compassion, but they lead to very different outcomes.

Choosing Both

We don’t have to choose between soothing and letting go. In fact, it’s wise not to. A stable ego allows us to face the hard truths of impermanence and emptiness without falling into despair. Likewise, the wisdom of Buddhist practice can enrich our psychological work, giving us a larger context for our struggles.

To watch and listen to a teacher conversation on this topic between my self and the Health and Yoga Coach Rebecka Latoś go here.

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These paths are not interchangeable, but they are complementary. Together, they form a holistic map of the human experience—one that embraces the messiness of being and the vastness of liberation.

So, care for your ego. Soothe it when it hurts. And when the time comes, be ready to let it go. Both are part of the journey, and both are acts of love.

With compassion,
Lama Chimey

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Being the Change: Embodying Wisdom as a Leader in a Turbulent World

As a leader, you are not merely guiding others—you are shaping the world through your being. Vajrayana Buddhism teaches that to truly lead, you must embody the qualities you wish to see in the world. Leadership is not about reacting to challenges; it is about being the change itself. Embodying wisdom as a leader in a turbulent world is the essence of the bodhisattva path: transforming yourself so that you can transform the environment around you.

Interdependence: Understanding the Web of Life

In Tibetan Buddhism, the principle of tendrel (རྟེན་འབྲེལ་)—dependent arising—reveals that all phenomena are interconnected. Nothing exists independently; every action, thought, and intention shapes the whole. Leadership is not separate from this truth. When you lead with awareness, your very presence becomes a cause for harmony and growth.

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Imagine yourself as a jewel in Indra’s Net, infinitely reflecting and being reflected by others. In this web, your state of being—your clarity, compassion, and wisdom—creates ripples that touch everything around you. If you lead from a place of fear or self-centeredness, those qualities will manifest in your environment. But when you embody lhakthong (ལྷག་མཐོང་)—profound insight—better known in the west as vipassana, you naturally align with the interdependent nature of reality and lead in a way that benefits all beings.

Ask yourself: How can I embody interconnection in my leadership? What qualities am I reflecting to the world?

Impermanence: Letting Go to Become the Change

The Vajrayana path emphasizes mi rtag pa (མི་རྟག་པ་)—impermanence—as a profound truth to live by. To be the change, you must let go of what no longer serves. Clinging to outdated identities, roles, or ways of thinking keeps you bound to the past. Instead, embrace the dynamism of impermanence as an opportunity for growth and renewal. Engage with me, Lama Chimey, in a powerful inspirational speech that dives deeper into this transformative wisdom, igniting courage and clarity to navigate life’s transitions with purpose and grace.

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Just as a river flows continuously, never holding onto a single drop of water, so too must a leader flow with the ever-changing circumstances of life. Vajrayana practice teaches us to see change not as a threat but as the very essence of potential. This is the meaning of transformation, recognizing that within every moment lies the power to shape a new reality.

Reflect: What am I holding onto that prevents me from fully becoming the change I wish to see? How can I release it with grace and courage?

The Present Moment: Where Change Begins

In Buddhism, the present moment is sacred. It is through resting in awareness—that we discover the true nature of mind and reality. To lead with authenticity and wisdom, you must first be fully present. Leadership is not something you do; it is something you are.

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When you are grounded in the present, your very being becomes a source of stability for others. This is not a passive state but one of active awareness, where you meet each moment with an open heart and a clear mind. In this way, you embody the union of skillful action and profound insight.

Contemplate: Am I truly present? How can I anchor myself in this moment so that my leadership arises from clarity and compassion?

Leadership as an Act of Being

In Mahayana Buddhism, the path of the bodhisattva is not about achieving external goals but about transforming one’s being for the benefit of others. Leadership, in this context, is a mandala—a sacred space in which all elements are in harmony. At the center of this mandala is your mind and heart, the seat of awareness.

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When you lead from this center, your presence becomes an offering. You no longer see leadership as a role to play but as a natural expression of your embodied wisdom. The teachings of lojong (བློ་སྦྱོང་)—training the mind—encourage us to embody the qualities of wisdom (yeshe, ཡེ་ཤེས་) and compassion (nyingje, སྙིང་རྗེ་). These are not abstract ideals but lived realities that arise when we align with the nature of mind. To support this practice, I am currently creating a full set of lojong cards designed to inspire and deepen your journey, which will soon be available.

Ask yourself: How can my leadership become an offering of wisdom and compassion? What qualities am I cultivating in my mind that will shape the world around me?

Facing Tomorrow as the Change

The Vajrayana teaching on shunyata (གཞུང་སྟེ་)—emptiness—reminds us that the future is not fixed. It is a field of infinite potential, shaped by our intentions and actions in this very moment. To be the change means to live in alignment with this truth, letting go of fear and doubt, and stepping forward with courage and a vision that benefits all beings.

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Leadership is not about controlling the outcome but about embodying the qualities that create the conditions for positive change. By being present, embracing impermanence, and living in harmony with interdependence, you become the change you wish to see.

Take a breath, feel the sacredness of this moment, and lead from the depth of your being. This is how transformation happens—not through force, but through the luminous example of one who is the change.

Now is the time,

Lama Chimey

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When We Love, We Win: The Power of Loving-Kindness in a Troubled World

In a world that often feels fractured and divided, it’s easy to get swept away in worries, conflicts, and the feeling of separation. Yet, there is a simple yet profound way to find peace, resilience, and true happiness: by expanding our hearts to include others. When we love, we win—not only as individuals but as a collective.

The Importance of Loving-Kindness

Loving-kindness, or metta, is a transformative force. Rooted in the ancient practices of Buddhism, loving-kindness meditation, or metta bhavana, invites us to think of others with compassion and warmth. It’s a powerful reminder that our happiness doesn’t come from what we accumulate or achieve but from the connections we cultivate. By turning our attention outward, we shift from self-centeredness to selflessness, and our capacity for joy expands naturally.

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In meditation, the simple practice of focusing on loving-kindness enables us to soften our thoughts, calm our minds, and open our hearts to others. Through consistent practice, this gentle warmth becomes a genuine feeling of care for all beings. Imagine the world if we all paused daily to generate kindness toward others. In times of pain or misunderstanding, such a practice can become a balm for ourselves and for the world.

If you’re looking for somewhere to start your loving-kindness journey you might like to download this excerpt about Metta – loving kindness, from my Triyana Meditation E-Book for FREE  here,

Tools for Loving-Kindness: Metta Bhavana and Tonglen

The practices of metta bhavana and tonglen offer a way to cultivate this love intentionally. Metta bhavana, from the Theravada tradition, involves wishing well-being and happiness for oneself, loved ones, neutral people, and even those we find challenging. It’s a practice of gradually expanding our circle of compassion until it knows no bounds.

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Tonglen, a Tibetan practice, adds a powerful layer: we learn to breathe in the pain and suffering of others and breathe out relief and healing. This exchange teaches us that our hearts are vast enough to hold both joy and sorrow. In a world where suffering can seem overwhelming, tonglen reminds us that love has an alchemical quality; by willingly taking on others’ suffering, we transform it into compassion.

If you’re looking for somewhere to breath, for yourself and others, go here, for a guided meditation session.

Triyana Meditation: Integrating Three Paths

Those of you who have been following me for a while knows that at the heart of my teachings lies Triyana Meditation, a system that draws from the three main schools of Buddhism—Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. In this way, we’re able to incorporate practices that strengthen focus and inner stillness (shamatha or shiné), compassionate transformation (tonglen), and deep rest and release (namkha nidra, or yogic sleep).

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By combining these teachings, and more, we create a comprehensive approach to inner peace and resilience. Together, these practices provide the tools to meet the challenges of life, cultivating awareness, compassion, and equanimity.

Want to Join? Let’s Practice Together at Båstad Yoga Games

If you feel drawn to deepening your understanding of these powerful practices, I invite you to join me at Sweden’s largest Yoga Festival, the Båstad Yoga Games. Together, we’ll explore passages of inner stillness, cultivate balance in giving and receiving, and tap into the expansive awareness of yogic sleep.

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For those ready to take the next step, there will be a special Triyana meditation workshop, Friday November 15th, at 4.00 pm, at Yoga Games, designed to help you understand how to hold space for others with clarity and compassion. This is a space for genuine connection and transformation, where we, as spiritual guides, come together as a community, recognizing our shared humanity, mission and interconnectedness. When we support one another, we become stronger, more resilient, and more open-hearted.

Use the code: lamachimey, to get a generous discount when you book your classes at Yoga Games.

Together in Community: When We Love, We Win

Loving-kindness is a gentle but powerful antidote to the troubles of our time. It reminds us that our individual well-being is inseparable from the well-being of others. Through meditation and mindfulness, we create inner and outer peace, contributing to a more compassionate world. Together, we can create a ripple effect that spreads kindness and love far beyond ourselves.

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When we love, we win—collectively, as a community. And through practices like metta, tonglen, and shiné (shamatha), we strengthen our hearts and cultivate resilience, bringing light to ourselves and to those around us. Join me on this journey, and let’s cultivate peace, together.

With so much love,

Lama Chimey

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Embracing the Unseen Guest: A Buddhist Reflection on Death

Consider this quiet guest, woven into the fabric of all life yet rarely welcomed: death. In Western culture, death is often a taboo, a shadow to be avoided until it stands inescapably before us. But in the Buddhist tradition, death is a teacher and a silent companion, walking beside us from the first breath we take.

Buddhism does not turn away from death; it brings us closer to it. In doing so, it liberates us from illusion, grounding us in the raw truth of impermanence. By reflecting on death, we peel back what is false to reveal life’s transient beauty. Seen this way, death is not an end but a moment of transition—like dawn folding into day or autumn leaves dissolving into the earth.

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In meditation, we sometimes imagine our own death—not to instill fear, but to deepen wisdom. We envision our bodies aging, our minds softening, and then the breath leaving, a single, last sigh. We touch a vast silence here, recognizing that the body, born of earth, must return to it. The mind, like a river, flows on. (Sinnes-strömmen, as I call it in Swedish) Consciousness, freed from form, drifts without grasping—clouds scattering after a storm.

Our lives unfold in brief, unpredictable currents, and contemplating death dissolves the illusion of permanence. Imagine living each day with this understanding—not as a heavy burden, but as a liberation from trivial worries and momentary conflicts. Embracing death does not diminish our love for life; it enhances it. We learn to move gently, knowing each touch, each smile, and each heartbreak is as transient as a passing breeze.

Death, too, is a call to love. It teaches us to hold our loved ones close, knowing they will someday fade like the last light of evening. It urges us to offer kindness, knowing that we all walk toward the same unknown. When we hold death in our awareness, life becomes more vivid. Colors deepen, and our hearts, no longer bound by the illusion of endless time, soften. For those who wish to honor this journey with intention, I offer a 49th Day Memorial Service—a sacred ceremony held traditionally 49 days after a loved one’s passing, though it may be performed at any later time of choice. This service brings family and friends together to create an auspicious ending for the deceased, whether human or animal, as they transition toward their next existence. The service includes a preparatory meeting, ritual preparations, accessories, and the ceremony itself, allowing us to remember and send our loved ones onward with the kindness and warmth they held in life.

A meditation on this truth inspired my album Jord (Earth), available on all major digital music platforms. Jord includes a journey into the deepest layers of the body, guiding you to a place of surrender, of release, as we travel through the bones and into the earth below. It is accompanied by the music of Gertrud Stenung, who composed for cello, piano, and electronic glass piano—a soundscape tried and loved by many of my students long before this album was recorded. Each note holds a resonance of transformation and return, carrying you along on breath and visualization. (Guided in Swedish.) For those new to this meditation, and who do not understand Swedish, I have also made a simplified live version of the relaxation part from this album; Journey through the Bones, available on my YouTube channel in English.

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In this way, death is a homecoming, a return to the vastness that has always held us. And in honoring death, we embrace the full spectrum of life, with gratitude for every step and every breath. I dedicate this reflection to two Swedish legends who have recently passed: the groundbreaking director Suzanne Osten and the visionary photographer Elisabeth Ohlson. Their lives, filled with courage and light, serve as a reminder to live fully and creatively, meeting death not as an ending but as a journey into the great unknown.

Hands folded,

Lama Chimey

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How to Turn Job Loss Anxiety into a Refreshing Opportunity with Buddhist Wisdom

Embracing New Beginnings

Losing a job can feel deeply unsettling. It can shake our sense of security, self-worth, and direction, leaving us vulnerable and uncertain about the future. The Buddha’s teachings offer us tools to meet this vulnerability with compassion and strength, encouraging us to open up to new possibilities in ways we may never have considered.

Seeing Vulnerability as Strength

It’s natural to feel anxious, even frightened, after a job loss. In Buddhist practice, we’re encouraged not to push away these uncomfortable emotions but to acknowledge them fully, without judgment. Vajrayana Buddhism, in particular, views these moments of raw vulnerability as powerful openings—windows through which we can come to know our true strength. When we allow ourselves to feel this vulnerability, without masking or resisting it, we begin to discover an underlying resilience.

Practice: Visualize yourself as a mountain, strong and stable, unshaken by changing weather. Let this vision remind you that just as the mountain endures, you have a core of strength that remains steady even through life’s shifts.

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Embracing Impermanence: The Seed of Transformation

One of the core teachings of the Buddha is the reality of impermanence (called anicca, in Pali, the language used in Theravada Buddhism). In Vajrayana Buddhism, we learn to work with impermanence (mitakpa in Tibetan) as a vehicle for transformation. The Buddha taught that everything that comes also goes, everything that lives must die, and everything that is created will crumble. When we lose a job, it’s easy to focus on the pain of what’s been taken from us. But when we view this change through the lens of impermanence, we can see it as part of life’s flow—a natural movement of growth and renewal. This perspective helps us loosen our grip on how things “should” be and instead makes space for how they can be.

Practice: Try a meditation on impermanence. Sit quietly, bringing to mind the idea of change as a wave, constantly ebbing and flowing. With each breath, allow yourself to relax into this rhythm, feeling the freedom that comes from flowing with change.

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Vajrayana Practices: Turning Pain into Compassionate Energy

In Vajrayana Buddhism, we are encouraged to transform our emotional pain into compassionate energy. Job loss often stirs a whirlwind of emotions: fear, frustration, sadness, even anger. Instead of resisting or suppressing these feelings, Vajrayana offers tools to transform them through visualization and mantra practice.

Practice: Visualize a radiant lotus in your heart area, opening to release any tension or anxiety as dark light. With each exhalation, imagine these feelings transforming into compassion—compassion for yourself and for others who may be going through similar hardships. As you inhale, silently recite the powerful compassion mantra of Buddha Chenrezig: “Om Mani Padme Hum,” allowing it to resonate within.

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The Power of Community and Connection

While much of Buddhist practice emphasizes inner work, the Buddha also spoke of the importance of community, or sangha. Vajrayana Buddhism highlights that the support of others on the path can be invaluable, particularly in difficult times. Leaning on your network—whether friends, family, or spiritual communities—can bring comfort and strength. Sharing your experience openly, without shame, allows others to support you and reminds you that you are not alone.

Practice: Reach out to a trusted friend, teacher, or group, and share your experiences. Reflect on the value of being present for others who may be navigating their own struggles, even as you go through your own.

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Seeing Job Loss as an Open Door to New Possibilities

The teachings of the Buddha remind us that each loss can be the beginning of something new. In Vajrayana, we view obstacles as opportunities, transforming challenging situations into pathways for growth. The door to a new role, a fresh perspective, or even an unexplored skill might only become visible now that previous structures have dissolved. When viewed with an open heart, job loss can be seen as a chance to step into a new realm of possibilities.

Practice: Reflect on your skills, passions, and potential paths forward. Visualize yourself in a new role or life situation, embracing the qualities you wish to embody. Imagine each challenge dissolving and opening the way for growth, much like a blossoming lotus.

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When we apply Buddhist principles, job loss becomes a turning point—a chance to grow, to connect more deeply, and to walk our path with new insight. Embrace the support of your community, honor your vulnerability, and trust that each change brings its own new beginning. As you follow these practices, a clear path forward emerges, leading you back to a sense of purpose, resilience, and ultimately, home within yourself. In this way, you can navigate this transition with courage, compassion, and a deep sense of inner peace.

May you find peace & joy on your path forward,

Yours, Lama Chimey

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