Handshake I

Handshake practice is the original practice taught by Lama John’s Teacher, Tsoknyi Rinpoche. We are more familiar with it as our Compassionate Presence to Feelings practice.

Tsoknyi Rinpoche gave five points to remember when working with the Handshake practice and there are parts of our practice that relate to each one of these points. Here are his notes on the first point of practice.

1. Remember Who You Are

Deep within all beings is a kind of spark that lights and warms our lives. It’s been called by many names in many different traditions. In the Buddhist tradition it’s known as “Buddha nature” — which is often described in terms of three qualities: boundless wisdom, infinite capability, and immeasurable loving-kindness and compassion.

One of the core teachings of Buddhism is that we all possess this nature. You may think that you’re an accountant, an executive, a teacher, a student, a parent, a child — and indeed, on a mundane, every-day level, you are. But underneath a particular identity and all the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that may attach to it, what you are is the ever-evolving potential of a being who is capable not only of transcending suffering but of leading all other creatures out of darkness and pain, as well.

So, all you really have to do in order to open your heart and your mind is to remember your Buddha nature!

Unfortunately, that’s not always easy.

So, how do you remember “Who You Are?” How do you connect with your True Nature?

In our tradition, the Caring Moment or Benefactor Practice uses moments of deep connection from earlier in our life to resonate with and enliven the qualities that are already present in our true nature. Qualities such as: Love, Care, Compassion, Acceptance, Safety, Being Seen, Openness, Spaciousness.