The Healing Power of Mind By Tulku Thondup 

Shambhala Publication 1996. pg. 207

                Tulku Thondup is a Tibetan Buddhist who was raised in Tibet. The political situation of Tibet brought him to India. This book is based on Buddhist wisdom he acquired as a master. It is a constructive attempt on Tulku's part to look at human suffering and suggestion towards methods to alleviate it. In this journey he briefly discusses his inner struggles, and the path he personally followed to make peace with the trauma, life brought to him. He was born in a Tibetan Nomadic family. Early on he was recognized as the reincarnation of a well-known Buddhist master of Dodrupchen monastery. This recognition was a big honor for his family, but his leaving home was not easy for them.  Tulku lived in monastery since he was five years old. Buddhist monks raised him and his teacher took care of him as a father. He was raised according to Tibetan Buddhist discipline. He was eighteen when he moved to India to get political asylum. As they were traveling towards Indian border his long time teacher Kyala Khenpo, who was traveling with him became seriously ill and could not recover. The death of his teacher overwhelmed Tulku with grief and loneliness. He says, “Suddenly I realized that I was an orphan, an escapee, and a homeless refugee.” pg.4 This incident shattered him, after much trauma he was able to make peace with the situation. In his struggle Buddhist teachings came handy. He reflects upon the incidents in his life and says, “In many ways the great tragedies of my life turned out to be blessings. They illustrated the Buddhist teaching of the illusory nature of life, stripping away the false security blanket.” pg.5

         Buddha believed suffering is the root cause of human pain. Tulku also agrees suffering is generated by various experiences. If experience is pleasant then positive emotions arise, if it is unpleasant then we have negative emotions. Tulku Thondop argues suffering in itself is nothing, it is just an emotion that is the product of our mental analysis. This is important for we take better care of our house than our mind, as he adds humorously. Though we are aware that a happy mind and a happy body are the most important aspect of life, sadly we neglect the mind. Emotions like sadness, fear are also dealt here. Tulku Thondop maintains that feeling of sadness and fear just like other experiences and emotions are in constant change. Everything in this world including our experience and emotion are in a process of constant change. If this true phenomenon of nature is understood properly, then the bitterness towards life disappears, it becomes harmonious once again.

        A unique perspective about loneliness is discussed in this book. Loneliness is often associated with sadness and is considered negative. Author maintains this is not true. Meditators have recognized when solitude is experienced with relaxed mind then it is helpful in generating deeper contemplation. Tulku examines other emotions too, one of which is fear. He says fear is not a negative emotion altogether. At times it has potential of working as a friend. A very simple positive use of fear can be seen at the time of examination,  fear of failing test can become motivation for focused effort towards study. Fear can be useful in more critical situation too. When physical threat is present, fear gives one enough motivation to run fast. As another example, he says no one wants to be physically sick and when one is sick, feeling of distress is most dominant. However if we change our perspective then the period of sickness can be looked at as an opportunity to slow down and let go, and appreciate life in midst of suffering. He maintains that when we stop looking at problems as negative, then our attitude towards life becomes more positive. Positive thinking heals us from misery and makes our life pleasant.

        Tulku reflects when we observe our emotions we realize our emotions are outcome of our mind. At the time of trauma in our life, instead of panicking if we stop and tell ourselves that situation is not really tragic but all right, then we immediately feel better and stress disappears. He illustrates this by saying we should make peace with the situation by saying, “Its bad, but its OK!” pg.27 He gives another example by saying, “I am not okay, my partner is not okay, our relationship is not okay, but all that is okay. We will work on it and we will heal it.” Once we pay proper attention to the incidents in our life then we recognize a pattern of change. This can help us by not getting stuck with any specific experience, it does not matter if they are negative or positive. We soon comprehend, like everything else in life our experiences and emotions have no permanence. As situation changes and these experiences and emotions are replaced by new ones.

        Problems are an accepted fact of life, which can be overwhelming at times. We get stuck in our emotions and start worrying more about the future than our present. We are very smart in over analyzing situation in a hypothetical fashion. We engulf ourselves with the oft-repeated questions, what will happen in our future?  Furthermore very systematically but unknowingly we ruin our present. In order to get out of this cycle of worry we have to concentrate on our present. This can be achieved if we involve ourselves in immediate surroundings. If we are involved with people who are around us then there is less chance to wonder about future. With enough practice one can become rooted in present. Once this skill is acquired then small incidents of life loose their sting. He says the true nature of mind is very simple, if it is left in its original state then joy fills our life. Different techniques have been discussed in this book that are used by Tibetan Buddhists for centuries, and can help anyone to acquire this level. While discussing the issue of problem in life on a day today basis, he aptly quotes Shantideva, who says-

“If you can solve your problem,

Then what is the need of worrying?

If you cannot solve it,

Then what is the use of worrying?” pg. 4.

        Many practical techniques are also discussed in this book that can bring relief from worries. He suggests taking a few slow and deep breaths with an intention of releasing worries and negativity. However when we feel tight or under stress, we should allow breathing to be completely relaxed. Be glad of any positive feeling that comes to mind. The change in perspective or a feeling of ease should also be appreciated no matter how fleeting it is. Tulku elaborates about various meditation techniques that have potential of bringing peace to the mind. Mind is the instrument that makes comprehension possible. If mind is trained in such a way, that it does not react strongly towards an adverse situation, then ordinary conflicts of life will pass without much trauma. The meditation techniques that are emphasized in this book can be helpful like therapy. Though the book itself has made no such claims. To me it seems the outcome of such mind calming meditations will be either similar or better.

        As humans we have given too much importance to ourselves, and to our achievements. Author says human beings live and breathe in this misconception that they are master of universe. However significance of any achievement big or small is relevant only today. If you look at it six months later its significance will seem pale. Similarly if we reflect upon and think what its significance will be after hundred years. Then the achievement that is so important right now seems meaningless. The Buddhist Mahayana philosophy maintains that human beings are not aware of their inner power and they go through entire life span just wondering aimlessly. The mind generates desire and aversion and the whole life goes by in a non-stop mental babble of ignorance, attachment and hatred.

The emotional state of a person is very important in determining which meditations will prove beneficial. Different forms of meditations and many simple solutions that can enhance quality of life have been suggested in this book. Few selections are given below:

        ‘Approach your life in warm-hearted enjoyment. Only a few dates on the calendar are marked as holidays, but we don’t have to wait for them to be cheerful and happy. Even when problems or challenges come, an open attitude will guide us along the path.’

        ‘We need to be balanced in how we deal with problems, especially if other people are involved. If we are under great emotional pressure, it is best not to say or do any thing. If we feel angry excited or extremely happy, wait a while. Otherwise what you say will be untrue or partially true, and likely to harm you.’

        ‘If we are vulnerable to cravings, attachment, confusion, or hatred, it is better to think about “what is right for me to do” than “what I want to do.” As we enter the path of healing, we should strengthen our intentions. We should let our minds guide our emotions.’

        In the process of going through this book I realized that as a society we have become so used to dealing with difficult issues and complex ideas that when we confront simple concepts, at times though useful they seem absurd and naive. Few such excerpts from this book-

        ‘If you must stand in line at the supermarket or a bus stop, try opening your posture. Instead of being bored or frustrated, opening your posture can help you enjoy and to the precious moment of life unfolding as you wait.’

          ‘When you are cleaning your room, washing your clothes, or taking out your garbage, imagine that your emotional, mental, or physical impurities are also being cleaned or taken away like the dust and garbage.’

        ‘Another simple release is to stretch your arms high over your head and tense your hands into fists. Breathe in as you stretch, clench your muscles, hold the position for a moment, then release as you breathe out. A good loud yawn can help you during the release. Feel that all tensions are released as your fist open and let go. If it is helpful, imagine your out-breath as a warm wind that sweeps away the stress. Release the breath into the welcoming infinity of space.’

        This is an inspirational book that is based on Buddhist principles. Tulku deals with the problem of suffering. He says we all have our own private world of suffering. It does exist in some shape and form, however my suffering can be different from my next-door neighbor’s. He discusses various small changes we can bring in our life to make it joyous and peaceful. He maintains whatever small achievements we accomplish we should celebrate them and appreciate our capabilities. Clearly happiness is one thing, which is pursued by entire mankind, in this search they choose the path they know best. He claims the happiness that is real in content cannot be achieved by material possessions rather it comes from contented heart and peaceful mind. This book also deals with difficult principles of Buddhism like liberation and bondage. Which author has explained by quoting Mipham Rinpoche,

“So, all are magical displays of the mind.

If liberated, it is the liberation of the mind, and if bound, it is the bondage of the mind.

Apart from the mind there is neither liberation nor bondage,

Neither happiness nor suffering and neither Buddha nor beings.” pg. 193

       This book is a successful narration of Tulku’s personal experience and understanding of Tibetan Buddhist tradition. He has portrayed that right kind of meditation can help in many ways. He discusses various techniques of meditation in this book, which at times become confusing. I feel a few visuals could have given better clarity. This book goes on a slow pace, exploring every aspect of suffering and its removal. This is not the kind of book one can finish in one sitting. It deals with many profound concepts, which need time and understanding to grasp. In my opinion this is a good book that can be read more than once and each time one may find some new meaning and more clarity of ideas.

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