Speaker: Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche. This talk was originally given to an online, European audience on September 15, 2024 as part of a weekend program, "Compassion Without Limit". The first of three talks aired on the LINK in August 2025. This is the second talk from that program and it is split into two parts for rebroadcast on February 1 and 8, 2026. In this first part, Rinpoche begins by describing the origins of clinging to a sense of self and the attachments, emotions and karma that arise from that. He then decribes the path to nirvana and bliss.

Speaker: Alice Gormley. Alice discusses the importance of the four immeasurables practice in her life. She expresses deep gratitude for the ability to connect remotely, which has allowed her to maintain a connection to the Dharma and precious family members. She marvels at all of the modern methods that keep us connected, assuring the listener that it is possible to have meaningful conversation from afar.

Speaker: Nicholas Carter. "We are all moving towards death". With this fundamental recognition, Nick contemplates how the Dharma offers meaning, purpose, and direction in aging and death. He acknowledges the profound inspiration he has received from older women in his life who are aging with clarity and courage. Nick emphasizes how strength in Dharma practice brings contentment, allowing us to surrender to our lives and embrace aging. Furthermore, he points to mindfulness and vigilant introspection as essential practices that bring clarity of mind and the capacity to be present as we age in the Dharma.

Speaker: Katsutoshi Okabayashi. Oka-san uses "closing shop" as a metaphor for letting go, and "preparing to open" as a means of finding freedom through gratitude. Though sadness may arise from facing endings, openness dawns, which brings joy and natural cheerfulness. This is achieved by working with the mind daily, to continually let go with appreciation and welcome the future. Oka-san finds that the four immeasurables practice reveals how fragile and unsteady the mind is, particularly when pride arises. Pride's corresponding belief is that everything is achievable through personal will and effort. Relying on the help and support of others, one can step out of this self-centered state. When we recognize that our existence is the result of the care, guidance, and generosity of others, especially our parents, gratitude naturally arises.

Speaker: Dungse Jampal Norbu. Dungse-la emphasizes the importance of reflection as we enter into a new year. It is, "the time to take time" to bear witness to what has unfolded and to allow that experience to shape our aspirations for the future. As we enter 2026 and the Year of the Fire Horse, we are invited to renew our connection to the Dharma and recommit ourselves to the bodhisattva vow. The key is simply to show up with an open heart and an open mind to whatever arises, like the lotus opening in the middle of a swamp. From this space, he encourages us to set strong, bold aspirations to fulfill that vow in the year ahead.

Speaker: Sasha Dorje Meyerowitz. While gathering information for one of Rinpoche's books, ‘It's Up To You’, Sasha describes the profound impact that revisiting past teachings on ignorance had on him- "an openness to a new way of being". Sasha realized that ignorance and buddhanature are two sides of the same coin. The root cause of suffering is ignorance, and because it is universal, it is not personal. This dispels the urge to blame ourselves. Buddhanature is our true nature, obscured by ignorance. Ignorance stems from grasping to self and dissolving that attachment sets us on the path to freedom. Sasha offers a few practices that assist in moving away from ignorance toward the call of our true nature.

Speaker: Jill Oppenheimer. Jill reflects on how clarity of intention and confidence in practice unveil the causes of happiness and suffering. She analyzes three primary obstacles to clarity and stability of mind: ego-clinging, lack of enthusiasm, and internet use. She emphasizes the antidotal qualities of developing confidence in buddhanature, cultivating joy through the care of others, and setting the intention not to waste precious time. Jill concludes with a poetic reflection: "Joy is riding the waves of my mind, enthusiasm is the wind in my sails, and intention is the clear map to my destination".

Speaker: Mary Albrittain. Mary shares a number of personal experiences that have allowed her to bring suffering onto the path of awakening. Having faced profound loss, including the deaths of loved ones and health issues of her own, Mary meets these experiences with curiosity and compassion. She asks, "How do I transform suffering into awakening? How do I meet what is inevitable with care?" Suffering can bring us to our knees, not in defeat but in supplication, transforming how we live, love, and see the world.

Speaker: Dungse Jampal Norbu. Dungse-la discusses Dharmic investments in mind and meritorious action. He discusses the unexamined premise of investing in external factors that we believe will bring us closer to our goal of obtaining happiness and being free from suffering. Dungse-la examines the basis of a good investment from external and internal perspectives, capping the discussion on investing in merit, the best long-term investment strategy of all.

Speaker: Vanessa Waxman. "Be content! Be content! Be content!". That is what Rinpoche told her. Vanessa shares her reflections on advice from her guru and the art of being content. She begins by contemplating how one stays in the present moment, remaining content, when one is anxious about the next unknown future event. How does one come to know, 'the grass is greener right here, right now'? By examining the teachings and the lessons she has learned from practice, Vanessa shares experiences in examining her own habitual thinking.