Ego is a combination of ignorance, confusion and fear. It puts our true self to sleep and takes over our lives, distorting our perceptions and leading to negative emotions like anger, hatred and the wrong deeds that follow. When we recognize that the way we habitually perceive our self and others is mistaken, we begin...
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What is revolutionary about the spiritual path? It is the ability to challenge the habitual view of the importance of our own desires and develop a new way of being in the world—a way that foregrounds the happiness of others. In this lesson, Gelek Rimpoche explains how developing greater compassion is counter-intuitive from the ego’s...
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What is ethical behavior in the modern world? Are violence and racism ever justified? Is cloning ethical? In this lesson, Gelek Rimpoche explores the confusing territory of modern ethics and offers a simple rubric: Ethical behavior requires that we judge our own behavior rather than the behavior of others. If we wish to follow the...
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The spiritual path is not concerned with temporary material gain or emotional happiness. Our goal is lasting satisfaction, which everyone is capable of achieving by attending to the life they are living right now with loving attention and understanding the basics of karma. In this lesson, Gelek Rimpoche explains that negative mind states are always...
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Everything can be used for the spiritual path. It is our motivation that creates the energy to change our minds and activities into beneficial practices. Gelek Rimpoche discusses the first two of seven ways to help oneself on the path. 1). Identifying and aligning one’s self with spiritual teachers helps to create the inspiration to...
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Gelek Rimpoche outlines the remaining basic daily practices for a spiritual practitioner, focusing most intently on the four steps to purifying negative karma. Guilt is not one of them! Sincere regret is. Rejoicing in the good fortune of others helps to eliminate jealousy and increase our own fortune. Dedicating our efforts assures us that they...
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Death is definite. The way to have a peaceful and positive death rests in the way we live our lives. The time of death is uncertain. When it does come, we experience the dissolution of the four elements that make-up our physical body. While we are alive, we have many opportunities to contemplate death, the...
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Spiritual techniques are only helpful if you make use of them. The spiritual path is not instantaneous or simple. In this lesson, Gelek Rimpoche explains that we must be diligent in our practice and frequently reflect on its methods and the nature of our own minds if we hope to overcome the effects of negative...
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