Meet the Author
Sakyong Mipham is the head of Shambhala, a a global community of meditation and retreat centers founded by his father, the Buddhist teacher Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. He is the author of the numerous books, including one bestseller: Turning the Mind into an Ally (2004).
Shambhala
Shambhala is “a union of the Kagyu and Nyingma lineages of Tibetan Buddhism with the Shambhala teachings introduced by Chögyam Trungpa in the 1970s, based on the warrior tradition of Tibet’s legendary king Gesar.”
Book Basics
Sakyong Mipham’s latest book is an invitation to explore the richness of human goodness for the sake of bettering the self and our shared global society. Relying heavily upon memories of his experiences with his father, including how these encounters helped form his perspective, Mipham communicates with the reader on a personal level. Following the author’s lead, readers from many religious backgrounds will find thoughtful, practical, and hopeful ideas for crafting a better future for the world.
So What?
In the ever shrinking global village, learning how best to leverage human goodness is of increasing importance. Mipham suggests “the best way to be global is to proclaim goodness by openheartedly extending faith in human dignity” (1513). Furthermore, he believes that such an act of faith “transmits the message that through view, self-reflection and behavior, the mind can be directed toward any goal” (1513).
- How does seeing the goodness in humanity aid you in your quest to improve the world? Is this view supported by your religious tradition?
- What does it mean to you to “openheartedly extending faith in human dignity”?
Sakyong Mipham. The Shambhala Principle: Discovering Humanity’s Hidden Treasures (Harmony, 2013). ISBN: 0770437435.