Freedom is one of the fundamental rights for all human beings. But what does freedom look like on a personal level…on a spiritual level? Are we seeking freedom from responsibility, freedom from persecution or freedom from consequences? All beings are answerable to the laws of cause and effect, which means that true freedom comes from taking responsibility for your own mind. Jampal Norbu examines the 23rd verse of Lojong: “Always train in the three basic principles.“ Theme music by Matt Quentin

Jampal Norbu examines the 22nd verse of Lojong: “You have reached proficiency if you can practice even while distracted."  Transforming self concern into care for others is the core of Buddhist meditation. How then do we gauge our progress on that path? The key lies in self reflection, which makes meditation possible. With a strong foundation of self reflection, our practice is available even when we find ourselves caught by life’s distracting circumstances.

Suffering happens, sometimes in heaps. It takes a great deal of strength to overcome the internal darkness of neurotic emotions. While forced positivity can be just a bypass of a difficult experience in life, we’re still responsible for our own minds. So what to do? Lojong verse 21, “Always maintain a joyful attitude,” reminds us to deepen our understanding within the experiences of both suffering and happiness. music by Matt Quentin

The proliferation of opinions is endless, and many of them are misinformed. How do we come to trust the direct perception of our own mind over the assumptions of others? Through contemplation and practice, we can learn to find genuine confidence in our own experience. In this episode, Jampal Norbu examines the 20th verse of Lojong, “Of the two witnesses, rely on the main one.” Theme music by Matt Quentin

In this episode, Jampal Norbu examines the 19th verse of Lojong, “All dharma agrees at a single point.” This verse identifies the common ground shared by all schools of Buddhism; a ground that provides the essential basis of Dharma practice. Theme music by Matt Quentin.

Jampal Norbu considers the 18th verse of Lojong, “The Mahayana Instructions for the transference of consciousness are the five thoughts. Conduct is vital.” We examined how the Five Strengths apply to everyday life in the previous episode. Now, we will see how the Five Strengths apply to the end of life. Dharma teacher Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel joins Dungse Jampal for a thoughtful dialogue on how mind training can make a difference at the pivotal moment of disillusionment. Theme music by Matt Quentin.

Jampal Norbu explores the fourth point of mind training, which encourages practitioners to make Lojong a way of life. The seventeenth verse of Lojong, “The pith instructions briefly summarized: Apply the five strengths,” shows us the path to a life wholly integrated with bodhicitta. Theme music by Matt Quentin.

Jampal Norbu examines what it means to bring the practice of Lojong fully into your life. The sixteenth verse of lojong, “use whatever you face as a practice immediately“, is a commitment to go beyond the framework of conventional thinking and to bring practice to everything as it arises. The power of this verse lives in the present moment, and if we can bring our practice insight to this moment, then it will change our life. Theme music by Matt Quentin

Jampal Norbu explores the practice of applying Tonglen in everyday life by utilizing specific skillful means. The fifteenth verse of Lojong, “The Four Practices are the Best of Means,” outline specific methods of practice which enhance Lojong practice in general. Theme music by Matt Quentin

Jampal Norbu gives a brief introduction to the four kayas, and the significance of emptiness as guardian against samsara’s influence. The fourteenth verse of lojong, “Meditate upon illusory appearance as the four kayas. This is the unsurpassable protection of emptiness” takes the relative understanding of bodhichitta and opens it to the greater implications of just how far this practice can take us. Theme music by Matt Quentin.