Mangala Shri Bhuti - The Link

Chris discusses how feeling of separate from others is the same as a lack of intimacy with, or feeling separate from, the Self. He describes the practice of bearing witness as an example of intimacy and non-separation, and gives examples that illustrate how we handle others is really how we handle ourselves.

Dungse-la discusses the key trait of devotion as being a person who pursues their purpose with single-minded focus without distraction. He uses the 2012 Kalachakra gathering in Bodhgaya as an example of devotion and describes the relationship between devotion and distraction.

Rinpoche talks about spiritual growth for the new year and describes how to relate to the "anxiety of change" in our life.

Elizabeth discusses our relationship with our world and the activity of awareness, especially when relating to suffering. She describes how to be in relationship with everything in our world with dynamic systems merging. "The more we include the freer we become".

Dungse-la reflects on aspiration and engagement bodhicitta and its expression on a personal level in our thoughts and actions and on a larger scale within societies and cultures.

In this pre-recorded talk (4/9/2006) given at Samten Ling, Rinpoche offers three remedies for shakiness that can stem from a lack of confidence or faith in one' s practice. He explains how these remedies, Faith, Surrender and Acknowledgment and the relative practice of devotion (mugu) can ultimately lead to absolute realization.

Nicholas explores arrogance.

Elizabeth explores the way to develop confidence in our basic nature as our "resting place" and how cultivating merit is the key to find the cracks in the system in order to let the light come through.

Dungse-la underscores the importance of openness and trust as the link to the larger self, and in opening to the larger self how bodhicitta serves as both the vehicle (to enlightenment) and the bridge (counters the small self and negative habits).

Rinpoche discusses how attachment makes us wobbly and weaker on the path, having no solid footing and diminished self esteem. He discusses how to relate to attachment through self reflection, the courage of letting go and the power of intention.

Rinpoche discusses the predisposition of humans to make themselves small and reveals the truth of becoming the trutral itself.

Elizabeth explores a profound Kadampa teaching that exposes the pain experienced by the ego when grasping or clinging to one' s identity, and the freedom and confidence that can arise from realizing there is no truth to identity. She explains the difference between the humility that comes from a falling away of the ego versus the "ego of low self esteem".

Dungse-la contemplates how building an identity around an object changes the value of our experience thereby leading to a loss of appreciation, joy and contentment for what is.

This excerpt from the 2011 Dzogchen Seminar explores what Rinpoche calls the "predator mentality", the default state of mind in samsara when you do not reflect on how yourself and all beings desire happiness equally.

Vern contemplates why we fear sadness and describes the richness inherent in sadness--a genuine part of the human experience worth exploring in its own right. He describes the beauty and joy of sadness and why this "emotion" was held in high regard by the lineage masters.

Elizabeth describes brokenheartedness as seeing the nature of impermanence vividly, and discusses why heartbreak and loss are critical for a practitioner--how the "sting" of loss is necessary in creating an openheartedness, which is the place where practitioners need to reside. She describes how loss pushes us in the direction of a bigger way of being.