Reflections and Prayers

Dear Readers

In the midst of this global pandemic of fear driven greed, hatred, delusion, I am reposting a slightly edited version of “Reflections and Prayers: Nurturing a Life of Natural Awakening”. Many of you are familiar with Daily Puja and use it as part of your ongoing practice. Parts of Reflections and Prayers could serve a similar purpose.

Here is the Preface and Contents page to whet your appetite.

Preface

Friends on the path, ‘yogis of the natural world’, lovers of life in all it’s abundance; as I write this preface, news media is filled with depressing images and reports of violent death, genocide, and the dis-integration of many of the social and ecological values and structures that we humans have come to rely on. In the face of all this suffering, I felt the need to re-post these reminders of love and clear seeing.

Throughout history inspirational poetry has been treasured by those who try to live a life of authentic spiritual practice. Traditions of deepening wisdom and compassion, great and small, are often distinguished by the metaphors and poetic allusions they use. This can inspire way of living that is both wondrous and ineffable: a blossoming of love and clear seeing and an expanding capacity for radical inclusivity in the midst of whatever situation or circumstance is arising. Such a participatory wholeness can leave us tongue tied and mute in a wordless state of reverential awe and wonderment.

The collection of poems and encouragements contained in these pages breathes with the spirit of all that I have tried to teach over the last 50 years. Contemplating these themes, thinking about them, reflecting on them, and then experimenting with ways of creatively putting them into practice in the course of your daily living, will surely help nurture wisdom and compassion both in yourself and in those you meet. 

In the hermitage of life-unfolding,  
these words blossomed in my mind.
 Though still a work-in-process,  
may they benefit many beings.
Tarchin (revised and refined, 2026)

Contents

A Circle of Blessing . . . . . – 4
The Heart of Practice . . . . . – 6
Silent Prayer . . . . . – 7
Refuge, Life Roots and Profound Sense of Belonging . . . . . – 8
Bodhisattva Vow . . . . . – 11
Five Wholesome Life Trainings . . . . . – 12
The Wisdom of Embodiment . . . . . – 13
Impermanence . . . . . – 14
The Four Immeasurables . . . . . – 16
Prayers for Eating . . . . . – 17
Essential Practices of Awakening . . . . . – 17
Dedicating to All Beings . . . . . – 19
Supplementary Contemplations . . . . . – 20
Hints from the Heart . . . . . – 21
The Heart Breath of Timeless Living . . . . . – 22
We Are In this Together . . . . . – 27
Concluding Reflection . . . . . – 32
Endnotes . . . . . – 34