☸ Tibetan Buddhist Glossary

In Tibetan Buddhism, a chakra is a subtle energy center in the body, which is believed to play a crucial role in the development of spiritual awareness and enlightenment. There are seven main chakras, each associated with a particular aspect of consciousness, such as wisdom, compassion, or creativity. The chakras are often visualized and worked with in meditation and yoga practices to balance and harmonize the energies of the body and mind. This helps to cultivate a state of inner peace, clarity, and spiritual awareness.

Compassion, or 'loving-kindness', is a central virtue in Tibetan Buddhism, involving the cultivation of empathy and concern for the well-being of all sentient beings. It is considered essential for spiritual growth and is often developed through meditation practices such as metta and tonglen. Compassion is not limited to emotional response, but is a deliberate practice of wishing happiness and freedom from suffering for all beings, including oneself. By cultivating compassion, practitioners aim to overcome self-centeredness and develop a sense of interconnectedness with all living beings.