!?Be Wise, Be Selfish

A non-residential course, 3rd to 4th of March, 2017 (Friday- Saturday).

Place: Neve Shalom (The Tent), Israel.

Naturally, we are all concerned mainly with ourselves. Subsequently, we take care of our relatives, loved ones and friends, and go against anyone who merely seems to threaten our peace and well-being.

However, does our selfish concern for ourselves fulfill its purpose? Is our selfish way of thinking, which aspires to develop and make ourselves prosperous and is dedicated to the “I” and its wishes, arouse in us a sense of stable, ongoing and true happiness?

The more we are occupied with ourselves, we deepen the differentiation between “I” and “others”, between that which is “mine” and not mine, and hence widen the abyss with our fellow men.

It often seems that the more we are preoccupied with ourselves, the more we are emotionally vulnerable, ignore our close ones and go further away from the purpose of our selfishness- our own happiness.

Therefore, how shall we be both wise and selfish? Is there no contradiction in this?

In his lectures in the last few years, His Holiness the Dalai Lama suggests an alternative strategy for taking care of ourselves – a wise concern, which will really fulfill a true internal happiness and well-being. The Dalai Lama says that whoever wants to take care of himself or herself wisely should develop an attitude which considers others, aspiring for the happiness and non-suffering of others, just like oneself. Thinking about others and letting go of the preoccupation and concentration with oneself are the source of authentic inner well-being. Primarily, if our aim is attaining our own happiness, the consideration of others actually reduces our own vulnerability and behavioral patterns that lead us to confrontation with our close ones and constant tension. All of this brings about negative behavioral patterns and unhappy results. Considering others also aids us in achieving true inner peace, as well as brings forth personal and environmental benefits.

In this way, we can also benefit ourselves- if only we knew how to be wisely selfish…

His Eminence Ling Rinpoche the 7^th is an esteemed teacher in Tibetan Buddhism. In his previous incarnation, he was a senior tutor to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and in his current incarnation is a close disciple of His Holiness. In this fascinating weekend course, Ling Rinpoche will teach about the wise-selfish view according to Tibetan Buddhism.

• The teachings will be translated from Tibetan to both Hebrew and English. For English translation you can hire a wi-fi earphones at the event site for 30 NIS (7.5 USD) per day.
• It is possible to join this weekend course for only one of the two days, subject to availability.

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In the spirit of Buddhist tradition, the participation in all the teaching activities of His Eminence Ling Rinpoche in Israel is on the basis of donation (Dhana) only.

Rinpoche and his entourage, as well as the organizing team and the wide array of volunteers function voluntarily and do not get any payment.

Your donations, which will be collected at the end of the activities, are intended to cover all the many organizational expenses and to offer an appreciative donation to Rinpoche.

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