I’m really just a simple student of the dharma, and I’ve been trying to get deeper in the practice of meditation for 10 years. I have had some changes – I can sit for longer – I can keep my mind focused longer – but….. I’m not really accomplished at all.

Still, I have a meditation and practice space in my home. As a Tibetan Buddhist practitioner I also have images of great beings to inspire my practice, and I love beautiful things like crystals, water offering bowls (I try to open my altar everyday), and my mala. My practices are bound in an iPad (thought that was funny) covered in a cool leather with gold embossing, which I bought at Five Below for less than $5.00.

Tibetan Buddhism isn’t zen, it isn’t simple and it is definitely beautifully ornate with artwork. I have a painted thanka over my altar, and images of my teachers. Three Buddhist statues, Guru Rinpoche – the father of Tibetan Buddhism or Vajrayanna, Aveloketeshvara – Buddha of compassion, and Tara – the female Buddha -mother, remover of obstacles and also compassion. I created the prayer bench here (also shown on the cover of the book , and the front page of this blog) from a discarded wooden box, to which I added four unfinished legs, then painted it maroon and turquoise and added 24k gold  line drawings.

My floor is carpeted, and I use a large flat cushion, and a banana shaped smaller cushion just like the one in the article “Choosing a Meditation Cushion“. My space is located upstairs on one side of the master bedroom (really large room) divided by an antique wooden lattice screen. There is a large window right next to the prayer bench for fresh air, and light, plus my kitties basket so they can join me when I am practicing.

In find the space quiet, peaceful and very comfortable and out of the way of traffic and noise in the house. I prefer to practice at my temple, but home is good, and it saves time when it’s short (which is a lot these days). 🙂