The Workshop is in the Mind

Something To Think About Series #2

Thought of the day from Venerable Robina Courtin

Something To Think About Series #1

Thought of the day from Venerable Robina Courtin

At first, we don't recognize any problem with negative habits, like harmful speech. We need to develop an awareness of how our actions can affect others. Then we can see how those actions create our own experience.

9:14 | Extracted from "The Power of Speech" teachings on July 27, 2020 at Land of Medicine Buddha Soquel, CA. Full teaching: Audio Video

The Mahayana path targets our basic selfishness, or self-cherishing. Gradually, by understanding our interdependence, we can learn to put others first.

13:57 | Extracted from "Courageous Compassion" teachings on Dec 9, 2020 at Gonpo Ludup Laguna Beach, CA. Full teaching: Audio Video

Calm Abiding, or concentration, is essential for understanding emptiness. For concentration, we need several special qualities operating together.

14:31 | Extracted from "The Six Perfections" teachings on Jan 31, 2021 at Thubten Kunga Ling. Full teaching: Audio Video

We need to counteract negative states of mind with effective purification practice. Purification starts with the four R's: Regret, Reliance, Remedy and Resolve.

07:42 | Extracted from "Living With Uncertainty" teachings on Aug 15, 2020 at Langri Tangpa Buddhist Centre Brisbane. Full teaching: Video

We might have a belief about how happiness and suffering emanate from "out there." We don't recognize our own minds' role in our own happiness and suffering. That's being a "Samsara-ist."

11:57 | Extracted from "Samsara and Nirvana" teachings on Jan 12-17, 2021 at Shantideva Center - Brooklyn, New York. Full teaching: Video

To practice compassion we need to subdue habitual selfishness. First, we need to understand some Buddhist psychology about the sources of suffering. Then, with wisdom, we become a suitable vessel for various Bodhisattva practices.

18:22 | Extracted from "Cultivating Happiness" teachings on Sep 11, 2020 at Vajrayana Institute Sydney. Full teaching: Video

Misconceptions cause incredible suffering. We can correct these misconceptions through a path of inquiry to get to the root of the problem. This inquiry leads us to the topic of emptiness.

19:17 | Extracted from "Living With Uncertainty" teachings on Aug 15, 2020 at Langri Tangpa Buddhist Centre Brisbane. Full teaching: Video

Sometimes we stick our noses in when it is not appropriate. We think that's compassion, but it's just coming from your own attachment. Wisdom sometimes means you leave people alone, especially when they aren't open to your help.

7:41 | Extracted from "Living With Uncertainty" teachings on Aug 8, 2020 at Langri Tangpa Buddhist Centre Brisbane. Full teaching: Audio