Jampal Norbu shares his personal reflections on tonglen practice, the exchange of self for others. By emphasizing bodhichitta, and the teachings on the four noble truths, Jampal looks at the qualities of tonglen practice, which have made the greatest impact on him. Theme music by Matt Quentin

Renowned author and meditator Ani Pema Chodron answers questions and gives advice on the practice of tonglen. Tonglen is the exchange of self for others and is considered one of the greatest practices within Mahayana Buddhism. With characteristic good humor and kindness Ani Pema addresses the difficulties of the practice, its counterintuitive approach to transforming habitual thinking and it’s profound result. Theme music by Matt Quentin

Renowned author and meditator Ani Pema Chodron shares her own experience with tonglen practice, from her introduction to the practice by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, to her own present insights; all with characteristic good humor and kindness. Tonglen is the exchange of self for others and is considered one of the greatest practices within Mahayana Buddhism. Theme music by Matt Quentin

Jampal Norbu introduces the practice of tonglen: the exchange of self for others. This practice is an essential step on the path of Mahayana Buddhism, and it is said that one cannot attain enlightenment without developing this exchange. “Tonglen” literally means “to send and receive.” By exchanging our self-concern for the indifference habitually held toward others, bodhisattvas transcend the seductive trap of the ego through this counterintuitive yet effective meditation. Theme music by Matt Quentin

Jampal Norbu examines the main practice of Bodhichitta, which rests at the heart the Lojong text. Bodhichitta is the aspiration to attain enlightenment in order to benefit all beings and to assist them in attaining freedom from suffering. An examination of this aspiration reveals the deep rooted intention that runs through all the teachings and slogans of Lojong. Bodhichitta is present in all Mahayana practices, and those who take up the path and practice of bodhichitta are known as bodhisattvas. Theme music by Matt Quentin

Jampal Norbu examines the 6th verse of Lojong: IN POST MEDITATION, BE A CHILD OF ILLUSION. In this context, “childlike” refers to a sense of wonder rather than immaturity. Meditation practice can dissolve narrow views into an uncontrived openness. The state of open awareness is sometimes called “beginner’s mind” and is referenced throughout eastern philosophy and artwork. The more our experience in-meditation stabilizes, the more our post-meditation life is transformed. Theme music by Matt Quentin.

Jampal Norbu examines the fifth verse of Lojong: “Rest in the Nature of the Alaya“. This verse explores what it means to rest the mind in meditation and the open-dimensionality of shunyata. There is more to meditation than just relaxing the mind or quieting our thoughts. Lojong mind training considers how thoughts, feelings, and even consciousness are free of any fixed existence. What is left when we don’t find any solid, single, or permanent entity to hold onto? Through the direct experience of our uncontrived awareness we discover who we are without any elaboration. Theme music by Matt Quentin

Jampal Norbu examines the fourth verse of Lojong: “The Antidote in Itself is Liberated”. This verse explores emotional suffering through the five negative emotions, also known as kleshas, or the five poisons. Antidotes to these negative emotions are revealed through the Lojong practice along with the natural state of mind  free from suffering. The episode culminates in one of the most misunderstood points of Mahayana Buddhism: that emptiness itself is empty of emptiness. Theme music by Matt Quentin

In this episode Jampal Norbu leads a guided meditation to explore the nature of mind as we contemplate the third verse of the Lojong text, ‘Examine the nature of unborn awareness.’ All buddhist meditation is based on self reflection and awareness of one's own mind. Through that awareness, buddhist teachings progress from abstract ideas to direct experience. Through the direct experience of the nature of mind our confidence and understanding of the Lojong teachings also progress.

Jampal Norbu examines the second verse of Lojong: "Consider All Phenomena as a Dream". This verse introduces one of the great philisophical cornerstones of Mahayana Buddhism, understanding emptiness. Far from a nihilistic view, emptiness, or the experience of shunyata, grounds our meditation practice by providing precise context to the question "is the world more than it seems?" . Theme music by Matt Quentin.