EveryBodhi Podcast

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.

Jampal Norbu welcomes Dharma teacher and author Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel to examine the first verse of Lojong: "First, train in the preliminaries. The preliminary practices in Mahayana Buddhism are an essential support for any student of Lojong. They set the stage to inspire and motivate, while reminding us of why we turn to Dharma in the first place. Theme music by Matt Quentin

In this episode, Jampal Norbu begins his examination of the various commentaries on Lojong, the classic teachings on Mahayana mind transformation. He considers the deep experiences that bring us to the spiritual path and the negative habits that make Lojong essential to our lives. (music by Matt Quentin via ChilledCow)