If we ask what is happiness we find people have many different ideas and it is difficult to say clearly what the experience of happiness really is. Buddha said that our normal experience of happiness is simply a reduction of our previous suffering and that is not good enough. He encouraged us to look further and find the source of genuine happiness in the mind, especially through the mind of love. This teaching is based on the instruction given in the book How to Transform Your Life by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

The intention we have in our heart is what we follow, so setting our positive determinations in meditation allows us to keep our mind in a positive state throughout the day. In this podcast Kadam Bridget explains the importance of learning to meditate on a determination and how to train in doing this. More information on how to meditate can be found in The New Meditation Handbook

In this podcast we contemplate that since we do not exist objectively we have the extraordinary opportunity for change and growth. This is the best news – change your mind, change your world. If we then go on to contemplate the constantly changing experiences of all living beings we develop profound compassion for them. This is an extract from a talk given by Kadam Morten at KMC New York City.

If we watch our thoughts we may find that we often wish that things were other than they are and this brings continuous dissatisfaction and unhappiness. The practice of patient acceptance solves all the problems associated with this discontented mind. Gen Devi shows how to develop acceptance through finding another way to respond to painful feelings so that they do not trigger a habitual but unhelpful response. This is an extract from a talk given at KMC Switzerland and is based on the book How to Solve our Human Problems by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

Gen Demo suggests we can use our ability to watch and size-up other people to improve our own happiness. We can learn to be an observer and scientist investigating our states of mind and seeing what experiences they lead to. She encourages us to really investigate how our way of thinking about things influences our experiences and then asking what if I thought differently? This perspective not only opens the door to self-improvement but also highlights the power of mindset in shaping our happiness. This extract is taken from a talk given by Gen Kelsang Demo Resident Teacher at KMC DC. It is based on the book How to Transform Your Life by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

This podcast looks at how to change what we focus on in life so that we change our experience. The mind has the power to make us happy or unhappy and we can bring happiness into our mind by simply acknowledging the good things in our life, the kindness others are showing us, along with the good qualities of others.

We can deepen our understanding and faith in Buddhism by experiencing firsthand how the teachings of the Buddha, shield us from suffering and life’s challenges. Through this insight, we cultivate a stronger belief in the Buddha, recognizing how his blessings empower us to release our negative thoughts and embrace the positive states of mind that offer true protection. This podcast is an extract from a teaching given by Kadam Bridget Hayes at Nagarjuna KMC, UK. It is based on the book Modern Buddhism by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso https://tharpa.com/us/modern-buddhism-free-ebook

Buddha’s profound statement, “You are not who you think you are,” invites us to re-examine our deeply ingrained beliefs about our identity. Many of us carry a fixed sense of self, convinced that this is our unchanging essence. However, in a compelling teaching delivered during the New Year, Kadam Morten encourages us to delve deeper into this notion of self. He guides us to question the very nature of our identity and illuminates how our perceptions shape and continuously redefine who we are. By embracing this understanding, we can experience a profound sense of liberation, freeing ourselves from the constraints of a static self-image.

In this talk by Gen-la Dekyong we learn why everybody needs to be good natured with a good heart. Whatever is happening in our life, and whoever is appearing in our life, “I need to be good natured with a good heart.” Why? Because in this way, we can solve our own problems, as well as those of others. This podcast is an extract of a public talk given at Manjushri KMC based on the book How to Transform Your Life by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.