In Episode #21 of the Mindful Life Podcast I present an exert from a Buddhist Dharma talk I attended with visiting Tibetan Buddhist Monk Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe (Khenpo). Khenpo is one of the most knowledgeable and resepcted teachers of the practice and philosophy of Tibetan Buddhsim in Australia. A few times a year Khenpo takes a 10hr roadtrip, leaving his own temple and community in Tilba Tilba to open the stunning and disused Buddhist Temple in Kinglake, Melbourne. The Bau Sen Buddha Ru Yi Temple was built over 10yrs ago by Khenpo's close friend Chinese Buddhist the late Master Lin, who sadly passed away in 2007 before the temples completion and opening. The beautiful golden temple in it picturesque location of Kinglake West is now seldom open to the public. During the recent 10 year anniversary of Black Saturday we were lucky enough to have Khenpo attend over 2 weekends to conduct a Black Saturday Memorial Service along with some wonderful Buddhist talks and meditations. Todays episode is Khenpo's take on stress, the effects of stress to wellbeing and how we can manage stress in the modern world. He highlights that stress is largely a modern day and developed world construct. We need to consider the role that our mind and in particular the desire mind and ego along with materialism play in our stress levels. Our pursuit of happiness via outside sources and things adds to our stress as we will never be fulfilled, our desire mind will always leaves us wanting more. Ultimately we create our stress by feeling unsatisfied with what we already have, by feeling like we don’t have enough and that we need more . If we can exercise awareness and focus on the mindful practices of gratitude, compassion, kindness, impermanence and service to others, as well as living in the present moment, this may in turn leave us feeling worthy, satisfied and fulfilled and we may then begin to see a reduction in our stress levels.
A very big thanks to Khenpo and Ann from Drogmi Buddhist Institute for so generously granting me permission to record this talk. I am so grateful to be able to share this wonderful knowledge with my listeners
Khenpo and Drogmi Buddhist Institute's home base is the Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre at the foot of Mount Gulaga, near Tilba on the far south coast of New South Wales, Australia.
Khenpo and his wonderful small team run many programs and activities for the local community and beyond, including retreats, meditation sessions, various Buddhist courses along with children's programs and family fun days. It is a welcoming and wonderfully inclusive environment. There is also onsite accomodation and facilities. I personally attended a week long silent retreat at Kamashila and the location was incredible and staff were so friendly. I also learnt a lot and gained so much from my time at the temple.
To learn more about Khenpo, his teachings and the temple, head to www.drogmi.org
You can also find them on Facebook under the handle Drogmi Buddhist Institute
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