Category: Aspiration

Under this category we share Aspiration articles with you.

aspiration and connection

Aspiration and Connection

Tibetan Buddhism reminds us that aspiration is never only personal. We benefit from the aspirational vows others make, too. Which is why aspiration and connection are so closely linked together. In the last post, I shared 3 levels of personal aspiration: outer, inner, and secret. Tibetan…

3 levels of aspiration

3 Levels of Aspiration

Lama Surya Das describes three levels of aspiration, or pranidhana. These outer, inner, and secret levels can teach us how to cultivate spiritual aspiration more fully in our lives. The outer, external level of aspiration is behavioral. At this outer level, we recognize the importance of…

aspiration is not achievement

Aspiration is not Achievement

When practicing pranidhana, we can easily slide into achievement-focused success. But aspiration is not achievement. And it’s imperative for us to know the difference. We live in a society where our thirst for achievement can really hinder the spiritual practices we attempt to embody and create.…

aspiration as inspiration

Aspiration as Inspiration

“When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds: Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and…

aspiration

Introducing Aspiration

The eighth paramita, pranidhana, generally means aspiration. More specifically, it means spiritual aspiration. It is a sense of spiritual resolve or commitment. So pranidhana is often described and lived into through vows and prayers. It makes sense that the Tibetan word for this paramita is monlam,…