Mangala Shri Bhuti - The Link

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.

Dungse-la discusses the necessity of having a solid "individual life" as a foundation to be of benefit to the larger community, which he defines as all sentient beings. He describes how thinking of and caring for others brings greater joy than caring for ourselves, and with repeated practice how the "illusion of duality begins to fade."

Rinpoche encourages us to get back to our roots by transforming our state of mind with the four samtens, the Four Immeasurables as a daily practice, in order to have a rich internal life. He describes in detail the first two stages of bodhisattva training, generating respectful equality and universal love and care for all beings.

Gretchen speaks about mind and emotions from her experience as a western and contemplative psychologist and a Buddhist practitioner. She explains how the practice of tonglen combats the two tendencies and protects from impulsivity, while holding a space for others.

Pema explains how the hardest of circumstances can be the greatest opportunity for awakening. She offers steps toward staying "awake and open" to the intensity and describes how emotions become a catalyst for emptiness or egolessness.

Elizabeth explores the many usages of the word "belief", how we experience beliefs and belief as it relates to the Buddha' s teachings on emptiness and the Middle Way. Talk given from Crestone, Colorado.

Dungse-la speaks about Timuk- "a dull flat state of disconnectedness" and outlines various remedies including mindfulness, a keen awareness of one' s environment and how the practice of the four noble truths brings us back.

Rinpoche discusses the tendency for humans to feel the "privilege"of self-pity and contrasts this with the qualities of a mature mind. Rinpoche explores the differences of feeling burdened by the sufferings of samsara versus feeling encouraged to find a solution.

Rinpoche talks about the necessity of some suffering in developing a happy and cheerful mind that has stability. He goes on to discuss how to experience growth.