The Five Wisdoms
The Five Wisdoms, also referred to as the Five Buddha Families, are traditional Tibetan Buddhist teachings relevant to these challenging times.
They are a vehicle for self-discovery and a tool for working with others in everyday life, both personally and professionally.
The energies of our outer, phenomenal world and our inner, psychological realm can be experienced through the practice of yogic postures as five different qualities—simple presence, clarity, richness, passion and action—with infinite permutations.
The Five Wisdoms cultivate personal integration through direct experience of the basic elements of our existence: our body, emotions, thoughts, psychology, the spiritual dimension and surroundings. Discovering our unique way of perceiving and interacting with the world yields enormous insight into our patterns: what we think, feel, say, and do.
Opening to our energy with gentleness and kindness allows us to develop unconditional confidence and a tender heart or maitri. We uncover our strengths and let them shine! We radiate a natural brilliance, our authentic presence.
The Five Wisdoms reveal our inherent wisdom and confusion.
Buddha – radiates a sense of calm spaciousness
Buddha Energy is all pervasive and accommodating.
The confused quality is an immobile, dense energy of ignoring, or denying.
Vajra – offers a clear energy
Vajra ‘sees’ without bias, like a crystal mirror.
Ratna – exudes an earthy, golden energy
Ratna touches everything with richness, equanimity and satisfaction.
Padma – glows with the vital energy of compassionate wisdom
Karma – emits a swift energy
History of the Five Wisdoms
Beginning in 1972, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, a Tibetan Buddhist meditation master, developed practices associated with the Five Wisdoms. The practices, which include colors and postures, are based on traditional teachings on inner yoga, the energy channels and chakras, as well as the principles of the five Buddha families of Tibetan tantra.
To know more, visit our Resources Page.
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Inspired by Naropa University, Contemplative Psychotherapy, and Authentic Leadership,
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