From THE PATH OF VICTORY

Discourses on the Paramita

by Namgyal Rinpoche

All meditations can be divided into two broad categories: Samatha and Vipassana. Samatha is to establish calm and tranquility. Vipassana—insight, is coming face to face with reality; going directly to the gut level and knowing. There are thousands of meditational systems, but the extent to which there is breakthrough in any of them depends upon the development of Parami; no Parami, no Awakening.

Where do you begin? With the practice of Dana, giving. But what do you have to give? Your greatest gift is interest, it increases the depth of your involovement and energy. Learn to give your interest conciously to what is occurring. You received the great gift, now give the great gift. If you perfect Dana you have perfected all the other Parmita. It is a law that if there is no energy-giving, energy will decrease; as you give so you receive.