I read a post on Rinpoche's blog on Concentration.

http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/great-lamas-masters/the-perfection-of-concentration-by-geshe-rabten-rinpoche.html

Our mind is like a monkey always moving, always busy. Here are some ways to help generate concentration.

The practice of concentration requires sitting in your proper posture, to which there are seven points:

1. Legs crossed and feet resting on the thighs, with soles turned upward. If this causes too much pain, it distracts from concentration. In which case, sit with the left foot tucked under the right thigh and the right foot resting on the left thigh.
2. The trunk set as straight and erect as possible.
3. Arms formed into a bow-shape, with elbows neither resting against the sides of the body nor protruding outward. The right hand rests in the left palm, with the thumbs touching lightly to form an oval.
4. The neck straight but slightly hooked, with the chin drawn in.
5. Eyes focused downward at the same angle as the line of the nose.
6. Mouth and lips relaxed, neither drooping nor shut tightly.
7. Tongue lightly held against the palate.

It works! I just tried it. I manage to concentrate for at least 5 seconds (the amount of time I tested it). I bet that if I did it longer it would work longer.

I need to tame my mind or else I will end up in the three lower realms.

There is also a "chart" showing the stages of the mind.

It is so cool.

The person who taught this form of meditation is Geshe Rabten (Pictured Below)

He looks cool.

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Recently, I entered a school essay competition. I doubt I would win because the thing I wrote about was about Buddhism and I bet that none of the teachers would understand.

The question of the essay was to end the essay with this sentence, "I shall not forget this day for the rest of my life."

I wrote about taking refuge under my wonderful spiritual guide, H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche. It was the first thing that popped into my mind.

Here is the essay (I modified it a bit for more detail as there are no word limits here and I also forgot certain parts of what I had written) :

Out of all the memorable things that happened in my life, there is only one day that would stay in my mind forever, because that day changed my once worthless life into something worth living for. That was the day I took refuge under my spiritual guide, His Eminence Tsem Tulku Rinpoche.

I took refuge a few years ago. It was an auspicious day and it so happened to be my birthday!

I was so nervous that day. I remember I did not know the first thing to do.

Then, H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche walked in the prayer hall. I settled down on a cozy cushion in front of the throne and followed the instructions to take refuge.

After that, Rinpoche said out the names of all those who have received refuge and gave out their refuge names. I was there but I did not have any refuge name. Mama asked Rinpoche about my status of refuge because I did not get my refuge name. Rinpoche said, "Okay, Lets do it now."

I sat down in front of Rinpoche while Rinpoche sat on a chair. I did all the instructions as I have done them before earlier that night. Then, Rinpoche gave me my refuge name, "Tenzin Khenchen" which means bringing up the Buddhist Teachings intelligently.

Because of the amazing feeling I had that day, I thought to myself, "I shall not forget this day for the rest of my life."

That concludes my essay.

Thus, ever since that day, I am a student of H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche and my refuge name is Tenzin Khenchen.

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