Speaker: Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche. This is a previously-recorded talk given by Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche in Boston, Massachusetts on May 19, 2018. The talk was from Rinpoche's 2018 Book Tour, 'Training in Tenderness: Buddhist Teachings on "Tsewa", the Radical Openness of Heart That Can Change the World'.

Speaker: Joseph Waxman. Joey explains how to listen to the Dharma, how to interpret the words and integrate them into our lives. Language never expresses the absolute truth; language can only express the relative truth. In that way, understanding the context of the words is necessary so we can come as close to understanding the meaning as they are given. Joey talks about the three wisdoms as our path to understand the teachings completely so they become part of us, and not just words we hear. With hearing wisdom, he points out that hearing and understanding the words also require trusting where the words are coming from and the intention behind them. This allows one to move to the next step in contemplating what was received, bringing them deeply within to make the teachings a part of who we are through meditative wisdom. Joey illustrates this by examining each word of the Lojong slogan #21 from the Seven Points of Mind Training, "Always Maintain a Joyful Attitude".

Speaker: Christopher Kreider. Christopher explores what it means to be a student of the Longchen Nyingtik Lineage. He begins by exploring the meaning of lineage and the line of transmission from teacher to student. Christopher reflects on the ways he has assumed personal responsibility for the Lineage through his relationship to Phuntsok Choling, seeing the Center as if it was his own. He contrasts this definition of "ownership" to the dominant capitalist model in which self worth is equated with material wealth, which results in people becoming very hard on themselves. He recalled hearing Rinpoche say that being hard on oneself is not in accordance with the Buddha's teachings. Christopher adds that self deprecation is adventitious; it can be unlearned through kindness and gentleness towards the self and others, allowing one to turn towards our own inner wisdom guru. Only an unbroken lineage can provide a gateway towards enlightenment. This is not conceptual but must be deeply experiential.

Speaker: Dungse Jampal Norbu. Dungse-la speaks about self reflection as the entry to Dharma practice, about disillusionment, and appreciation for our present opportunity as practitioners, particularly as we enter the new year. Topics include a profound appreciation for this precious human life, reflections on the past year to motivate us to make changes when we see how they contribute to our suffering and disillusionment, and the power of aspiration for the future. In order to rise above our circumstances, we can start by asking ourselves if we are still looking for short term benefit or if we truly appreciate this poignant gift of the Three Jewels as an opportunity for growth. Dungse-la also discusses the benefits of being uncomfortable to shake ourselves out of complacency, and to appreciate these moments as opportunities to expand the heart and realize Buddhanature.

Speaker: Stephanie Kindberg-Velasco. Stephanie reflects on the past year focusing on several Sangha members who've died and also on Rabjam Rinpoche's visit to Boulder, Colorado. Her contemplation of these events is guided by Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel's question: "When are we at our best?" Stephanie relates how the Sangha shows up for one another around sickness and death, and the opportunity it provides for directing our minds away from self-clinging and towards tsewa, for example, through the practice of tonglen. This applies not only to those who are dying but also to working with our own suffering.

Speaker: Nicholas Carter. Nick shares his personal insights from many years of service, study, practice and retreat at Longchen Jigme Samten Ling Retreat Center in Crestone, Colorado, where he resides. Nick defines these three aspects of Dharma- introspection, diligence and dependent origination, and how to apply them in life and practice. He is an example of someone who has turned his life towards the Dharma and is committed to fulfilling his bodhisattva vow under all circumstances, especially in the light of the recent challenges he has had to overcome.

Speaker: Hillary Campbell. Hillary uses the metaphor of a three-tiered torma to outline the qualities of the Three Jewels: the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Her analogy is based upon Rinpoche's book, "Like A Diamond". She shares personal examples of how being challenged by study and service has served to deepen her appreciation of the Three Jewels and what they have come to mean for her. The question and answer in Hillary's LINK provides the listener with a glimpse into her unique upbringing in a Dharmic family, and offers advice for practitioners who would like to guide their children on the path.

Speaker: Mary Newton. Mary talks about how Dharma helps her to engage with life and its vicissitudes. While dwelling on thoughts and feelings can mire us in a samsaric mindset, they are also a means of letting go when we are able to step back and analyze them. Mary gives the poignant example of being diagnosed with cancer, and feeling that she just wanted to give up and have it all be over with. But then she recalled what Rinpoche has taught us; that what we have not faced in this life will be carried over into the next. When she finds her mind mired in suffering, Mary remembers the four immeasurables. When she's in a state of mental turmoil she derives strength, confidence and grounding by having those four specific steps to redirect her mind towards the Dharma.

Speaker: Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche. This LINK was originally given by Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche on May 6, 2012 in Bir, India. Rinpoche talks about the importance of simplifying one's life and moving away from the eight worldly concerns. Simplifying one's life is a practical form of renunciation and should be done before one regrets it. He encourages us to prioritize our life's activities based on merit, and to examine our motivations before beginning the process. Creating a simplified life requires discernment, conviction, and resilience.

Speaker: Bob Reid. Bob summarizes two talks given by Rinpoche at this year's Shedra. In these talks, Rinpoche discusses the topic of habitual obscurations, one of the four obscurations that hinders the progress of practitioners. Rinpoche tells us that the biggest habitual obscuration we face as practitioners is American culture conditioning. Bob sheds light on these talks with clear and concise examples, elaborating on the eight worldly dharmas, and providing a summary of the Rinpoche's teaching on four principles of Kadampa. With his humble sense of humor, insight and wisdom, Bob encourages us to review these precious teachings for ourselves in order to develop our own understanding of how habitual obscurations manifest in our personal lives, and how we can begin to overcome them.