The Science of Happiness

What do Coltrane, surfing and the spiritual life have in common? Lama Marut explains the meaning of the word Yoga and how to begin to understand the great spiritual classic The Bhagavad Gita. Lama Marut (a.k.a. Brian K. Smith) is extensively trained in the spiritual traditions of India and Tibetan Buddhism. He holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Religion and taught for over two decades in the academic world, first at Columbia University and later at the University of California, where he retired as Professor Emeritus in 2004. He lived as a Buddhist monk for eight years and has served for the past fifteen years as a spiritual teacher to students around the world. Lama Marut is currently the Spiritual Director of eight “Middle Way Centers” located in North America, Australia, and Singapore. In addition to several scholarly studies and translations based on Sanskrit materials, he is the author of the popular and award-winning book ‘A Spiritual Renegade’s Guide to the Good Life’ (Beyond Words, 2012), and ‘Be Nobody’ (Beyond Words, 2014) . With his unique mixture of erudition and earthiness, intensity and humor, conviction and openness, Lama Marut’s message is easily accessible and life changing. This podcast is taken from a public talk by Lama Sumati Marut called “The Yoga of Devotion in the Bhagavad Gita” given in Singapore in December 2013. You can listen to the full teaching at: www.mahasukha.org/media/ www.mahasukha.org Asian Classics Institute of Los Angeles Mahasukha Center 6512 Arizona Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90045 Phone: (323) 617-3691

Buddha Nature is within us all, so who is most useful to you on your path to complete happiness… the Buddha and his teachings, or all those pesky people irritating you through out your day? Let Lama Marut explain. Lama Marut (a.k.a. Brian K. Smith) is extensively trained in the spiritual traditions of India and Tibetan Buddhism. He holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Religion and taught for over two decades in the academic world, first at Columbia University and later at the University of California, where he retired as Professor Emeritus in 2004. He lived as a Buddhist monk for eight years and has served for the past fifteen years as a spiritual teacher to students around the world. Lama Marut is currently the Spiritual Director of eight “Middle Way Centers” located in North America, Australia, and Singapore. In addition to several scholarly studies and translations based on Sanskrit materials, he is the author of the popular and award-winning book, A Spiritual Renegade’s Guide to the Good Life (Beyond Words, 2012). With his unique mixture of erudition and earthiness, intensity and humor, conviction and openness, Lama Marut’s message is easily accessible and life changing. This podcast taken from a public talk given by Lama Sumati Marut called “Get Unbusy,” given in Reno on August 26, 2013 You can listen to the full teaching at: www.mahasukha.org/media/ www.mahasukha.org Asian Classics Institute of Los Angeles Mahasukha Center 6512 Arizona Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90045 Phone: (323) 617-3691

Where does the balance of power lie when we forgive someone for something they have done to us? Lama Sumati Marut talks about the ways we can rethink forgiveness from a place of empowerment to bring about a happier resolution. Lama Marut (a.k.a. Brian K. Smith) is extensively trained in the spiritual traditions of India and Tibetan Buddhism. He holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Religion and taught for over two decades in the academic world, first at Columbia University and later at the University of California, where he retired as Professor Emeritus in 2004. He lived as a Buddhist monk for eight years and has served for the past fifteen years as a spiritual teacher to students around the world. Lama Marut is currently the Spiritual Director of eight “Middle Way Centers” located in North America, Australia, and Singapore. In addition to several scholarly studies and translations based on Sanskrit materials, he is the author of the popular and award-winning book, A Spiritual Renegade’s Guide to the Good Life (Beyond Words, 2012). With his unique mixture of erudition and earthiness, intensity and humor, conviction and openness, Lama Marut’s message is easily accessible and life changing. Taken from ‘How Karma Really Works’ - a talk by Lama Sumati Marut given at Gloucester, Mass., on Aug. 19, 2013 You can listen to the full teaching at: www.mahasukha.org/media/ www.mahasukha.org Asian Classics Institute of Los Angeles Mahasukha Center 6512 Arizona Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90045 Phone: (323) 617-3691

How can understanding our Buddha Nature help us be happier and more content? The Buddhist texts talk about this part of us that is already enlightened, content and totally devoid of suffering. But how do we get in touch with it? First we need to understand what it is. Lama Marut gives us a clear and down to earth explanation of what this Buddha nature is, which is the first step on the path to realizing it in our daily lives. Lama Marut (a.k.a. Brian K. Smith) is extensively trained in the spiritual traditions of India and Tibetan Buddhism. He holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Religion and taught for over two decades in the academic world, first at Columbia University and later at the University of California, where he retired as Professor Emeritus in 2004. He lived as a Buddhist monk for eight years and has served for the past fifteen years as a spiritual teacher to students around the world. Lama Marut is currently the Spiritual Director of eight “Middle Way Centers” located in North America, Australia, and Singapore. In addition to several scholarly studies and translations based on Sanskrit materials, he is the author of the popular and award-winning book, A Spiritual Renegade’s Guide to the Good Life (Beyond Words, 2012). With his unique mixture of erudition and earthiness, intensity and humor, conviction and openness, Lama Marut’s message is easily accessible and life changing. 'Finding the Buddha Within'. This public teaching from Venerable Sumati Marut at the Three Jewels Community in Singapore Dec 07, 2012. It explores "Buddha Nature" as described in Maitreya’s Uttara Tantra. You can listen to the full teaching at: www.mahasukha.org/media/ www.mahasukha.org Asian Classics Institute of Los Angeles Mahasukha Center 6512 Arizona Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90045 Phone: (323) 617-3691

Ever felt like you were too busy trying to create your happy life to actually enjoy it? We're all suffering from our inability to take control of the technological wonders available to us, and the stress of over working to afford and enjoy them. Lama Marut gives us some tips on how to live happily amongst the media saturation and work stress epidemic of 21st century life. Lama Marut (a.k.a. Brian K. Smith) is extensively trained in the spiritual traditions of India and Tibetan Buddhism. He holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Religion and taught for over two decades in the academic world, first at Columbia University and later at the University of California, where he retired as Professor Emeritus in 2004. He lived as a Buddhist monk for eight years and has served for the past fifteen years as a spiritual teacher to students around the world. Lama Marut is currently the Spiritual Director of eight “Middle Way Centers” located in North America, Australia, and Singapore. In addition to several scholarly studies and translations based on Sanskrit materials, he is the author of the popular and award-winning book, A Spiritual Renegade’s Guide to the Good Life (Beyond Words, 2012). With his unique mixture of erudition and earthiness, intensity and humor, conviction and openness, Lama Marut’s message is easily accessible and life changing. This podcast taken from a public talk given by Lama Sumati Marut at the Three Jewels Community in Singapore and explores Buddha Nature as described in Maitreya’s Uttara Tantra and how to use this wisdom to bring true happiness. You can listen to the full teaching at: http://legacy.mahasukha.org/medialib/index.php/av_media/AudioDisplay/?maxposts=20&teacher=2maxposts=20&teacher=2 mahasukha.org Asian Classics Institute of Los Angeles Mahasukha Center 6512 Arizona Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90045 Phone: (323) 617-3691

Most of us think that true happiness or enlightenment is something we have to gain or achieve somehow - that it is far removed from our daily reality. But Lama Marut explains via the classic Bodhisattva Buddhist text ‘The Uttara Tantra’ that not only is this ultimate state of happiness already a part of us, it’s our true nature. We just have to remove the blockages to experiencing it. Lama Marut (a.k.a. Brian K. Smith) is extensively trained in the spiritual traditions of India and Tibetan Buddhism. He holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Religion and taught for over two decades in the academic world, first at Columbia University and later at the University of California, where he retired as Professor Emeritus in 2004. He lived as a Buddhist monk for eight years and has served for the past fifteen years as a spiritual teacher to students around the world. Lama Marut is currently the Spiritual Director of eight “Middle Way Centers” located in North America, Australia, and Singapore. In addition to several scholarly studies and translations based on Sanskrit materials, he is the author of the popular and award-winning book, A Spiritual Renegade’s Guide to the Good Life (Beyond Words, 2012). With his unique mixture of erudition and earthiness, intensity and humor, conviction and openness, Lama Marut’s message is easily accessible and life changing. This podcast taken from a public talk given by Lama Sumati Marut at the Three Jewels Community in Singapore and explores Buddha Nature as described in Maitreya’s Uttara Tantra and how to use this wisdom to bring true happiness. You can listen to the full teaching at: http://legacy.mahasukha.org/medialib/index.php/av_media/AudioDisplay/?maxposts=20&teacher=2maxposts=20&teacher=2 mahasukha.org Asian Classics Institute of Los Angeles Mahasukha Center 6512 Arizona Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90045 Phone: (323) 617-3691

For some reason the basics of how to be a happy person are easy to miss and yet when we hear them clearly spoken by someone who cares about our well being it seems so obvious. Lama Marut is such a person and in this question and answer session he addresses some of the most simple and yet profound aspects of being happy.

In the ancient texts the sages talk about our true nature being like a beautiful jewel - untarnished, pure and unstained. So how do we find this space where our perfection shines thru effortlessly? First we have to understand which part of ourselves they are talking about, and then how to penetrate the illusion that we are somehow separate from this Buddha nature. Lama Marut talks us though this profound passage in the Uttara Tantra and explains what the first steps might look like. Lama Marut (a.k.a. Brian K. Smith) is extensively trained in the spiritual traditions of India and Tibetan Buddhism. He holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Religion and taught for over two decades in the academic world, first at Columbia University and later at the University of California, where he retired as Professor Emeritus in 2004. He lived as a Buddhist monk for eight years and has served for the past fifteen years as a spiritual teacher to students around the world. Lama Marut is currently the Spiritual Director of eight “Middle Way Centers” located in North America, Australia, and Singapore. In addition to several scholarly studies and translations based on Sanskrit materials, he is the author of the popular and award-winning book, A Spiritual Renegade’s Guide to the Good Life (Beyond Words, 2012). With his unique mixture of erudition and earthiness, intensity and humor, conviction and openness, Lama Marut’s message is easily accessible and life changing. This podcast taken from a public talk given by Lama Sumati Marut at the Three Jewels Community in Singapore and explores Buddha Nature as described in Maitreya’s Uttara Tantra and how to use this wisdom to bring true happiness. You can listen to the full teaching at: http://legacy.mahasukha.org/medialib/index.php/av_media/AudioDisplay/?maxposts=20&teacher=2maxposts=20&teacher=2 mahasukha.org Asian Classics Institute of Los Angeles Mahasukha Center 6512 Arizona Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90045 Phone: (323) 617-3691

If you haven’t forgiven you will never be happy. But who should you forgive and how? What does the Buddhist notion of ‘Karma” have to do with it? Lama Marut explains how Karma, Forgiveness and Happiness are inextricably linked and how to go about using them to become a happier person. Lama Marut (a.k.a. Brian K. Smith) is extensively trained in the spiritual traditions of India and Tibetan Buddhism. He holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Religion and taught for over two decades in the academic world, first at Columbia University and later at the University of California, where he retired as Professor Emeritus in 2004. He lived as a Buddhist monk for eight years and has served for the past fifteen years as a spiritual teacher to students around the world. Lama Marut is currently the Spiritual Director of eight “Middle Way Centers” located in North America, Australia, and Singapore. In addition to several scholarly studies and translations based on Sanskrit materials, he is the author of the popular and award-winning book, A Spiritual Renegade’s Guide to the Good Life (Beyond Words, 2012). With his unique mixture of erudition and earthiness, intensity and humor, conviction and openness, Lama Marut’s message is easily accessible and life changing. This podcast taken from a public talk given by Lama Sumati Marut at the Three Jewels Community in Singapore and explores Buddha Nature as described in Maitreya’s Uttara Tantra and how to use this wisdom to bring true happiness. You can listen to the full teaching at: http://legacy.mahasukha.org/medialib/index.php/av_media/AudioDisplay/?maxposts=20&teacher=2 mahasukha.org Asian Classics Institute of Los Angeles Mahasukha Center 6512 Arizona Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90045 Phone: (323) 617-3691

Happiness and living blissfully relies on understanding who we are and who we are not. The Uttara Tantra is one of the definitive texts in the northern Buddhist tradition on the true nature or essence of who you are. Understand this and you are well on your way to true unshakeable happiness. Lama Marut (a.k.a. Brian K. Smith) is extensively trained in the spiritual traditions of India and Tibetan Buddhism. He holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Religion and taught for over two decades in the academic world, first at Columbia University and later at the University of California, where he retired as Professor Emeritus in 2004. He lived as a Buddhist monk for eight years and has served for the past fifteen years as a spiritual teacher to students around the world. Lama Marut is currently the Spiritual Director of eight “Middle Way Centers” located in North America, Australia, and Singapore. In addition to several scholarly studies and translations based on Sanskrit materials, he is the author of the popular and award-winning book, A Spiritual Renegade’s Guide to the Good Life (Beyond Words, 2012). With his unique mixture of erudition and earthiness, intensity and humor, conviction and openness, Lama Marut’s message is easily accessible and life changing. This podcast taken from a public talk given by Lama Sumati Marut at the Three Jewels Community in Singapore and explores Buddha Nature as described in Maitreya’s Uttara Tantra and how to use this wisdom to bring true happiness. You can listen to the full teaching at: http://legacy.mahasukha.org/medialib/index.php/av_media/AudioDisplay/?maxposts=20&teacher=2 mahasukha.org Asian Classics Institute of Los Angeles Mahasukha Center 6512 Arizona Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90045 Phone: (323) 617-3691

Hindu text 'The Bhagvad Gita' and Star Trek's Captain Kirk collide on the spiritual path of Karma Yoga as described by Lama Sumati Marut. World renowned Tibetan Buddhist monk Venerable Lama Sumati Marut explains the most profound philosophical texts of Buddhism in lay person's terms with great humor and compassion. This podcast was taken from Lama Marut's teaching 'The Ashtavakra Gita' May 5 - 7, 2012You can listen to the full teaching at: http://legacy.mahasukha.org/medialib/index.php/av_media/AudioDisplay/?maxposts=20&teacher=2 http://www.mahasukha.org Asian Classics Institute of Los Angeles Mahasukha Center 6512 Arizona Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90045 Phone: (323) 617-3691

The Ancient wisdom texts give us short and simple but very profound advice on how to achieve happiness. Lama Marut delves into the revered 'Ashtavakra Gita' text of the Advaita Vedanta tradition and brings the methods found there into our modern lives and times. World renowned Tibetan Buddhist monk Venerable Lama Sumati Marut explains the most profound philosophical texts of Buddhism in lay person's terms with great humor and compassion. This podcast was taken from Lama Marut's teaching 'The Ashtavakra Gita' May 5 - 7, 2012You can listen to the full teaching at: http://www.mahasukha.org Asian Classics Institute of Los Angeles Mahasukha Center 6512 Arizona Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90045 Phone: (323) 617-3691

For most of us living in a monastery is not an option. So how do we live and act in the real world without the disappointments that life presents? World renowned Tibetan Buddhist monk Venerable Lama Sumati Marut explains the most profound philosophical texts of Buddhism in lay person's terms with great humor and compassion. This podcast taken from a public talk given by Venerable Sumati Marut at the Three Jewels Community in Singapore and explores how we can use the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita to live wisely in our modern situation. Venerable Marut - The Bhagavad Gita - Karma Yoga: 'How to Act Properly and Wisely in Our Modern World', Dec 06, 2012 You can listen to the full teaching at: http://legacy.mahasukha.org/medialib/index.php/av_media/AudioDisplay/?maxposts=20&teacher=2 mahasukha.org Asian Classics Institute of Los Angeles Mahasukha Center 6512 Arizona Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90045 Phone: (323) 617-3691

A handful of ancient wisdom texts talk about attaining enlightenment, ultimate happiness, in one lifetime. But how is this done? Lama Marut delves into the revered 'Ashtavakra Gita' text of the Advaita Vedanta tradition and brings the methods found there into our modern lives and times. World renowned Tibetan Buddhist monk Venerable Lama Sumati Marut explains the most profound philosophical texts of Buddhism in lay person's terms with great humor and compassion. This podcast taken from a public talk given by Venerable Sumati Marut at the Three Jewels Community in Singapore and explores how we can use the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita to live wisely in our modern situation. Venerable Marut - The Bhagavad Gita - Karma Yoga: 'How to Act Properly and Wisely in Our Modern World', Dec 06, 2012 You can listen to the full teaching at: http://legacy.mahasukha.org/medialib/index.php/av_media/AudioDisplay/?maxposts=20&teacher=2 mahasukha.org Asian Classics Institute of Los Angeles Mahasukha Center 6512 Arizona Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90045 Phone: (323) 617-3691

Karma is a word that is bandied about a lot in the spiritual teachings of Yoga and Buddhism, but do we really know what it means? Lama Marut explains how to work with karma in our daily lives to bring about a happier life for ourselves and those around us. World renowned Tibetan Buddhist monk Venerable Lama Sumati Marut explains the most profound philosophical texts of Buddhism in lay person's terms with great humor and compassion. This podcast taken from a public talk given by Venerable Sumati Marut at the Three Jewels Community in Singapore and explores how we can use the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita to live wisely in our modern situation. Venerable Marut - The Bhagavad Gita - Karma Yoga: 'How to Act Properly and Wisely in Our Modern World', Dec 06, 2012 You can listen to the full teaching at: http://legacy.mahasukha.org/medialib/index.php/av_media/AudioDisplay/?maxposts=20&teacher=2 mahasukha.org Asian Classics Institute of Los Angeles Mahasukha Center 6512 Arizona Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90045 Phone: (323) 617-3691Karma is a word that is bandied about a lot in spiritual the teachings of Yoga and Buddhism, but do we really know what it means? Lama Marut explains how to work with karma in our daily lives to bring about a happier life for ourselves and those around us. World renowned Tibetan Buddhist monk Venerable Lama Sumati Marut explains the most profound philosophical texts of Buddhism in lay person's terms with great humor and compassion. This podcast taken from a public talk given by Venerable Sumati Marut at the Three Jewels Community in Singapore and explores how we can use the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita to live wisely in our modern situation. Venerable Marut - The Bhagavad Gita - Karma Yoga: 'How to Act Properly and Wisely in Our Modern World', Dec 06, 2012 You can listen to the full teaching at: http://legacy.mahasukha.org/medialib/index.php/av_media/AudioDisplay/?maxposts=20&teacher=2 mahasukha.org Asian Classics Institute of Los Angeles Mahasukha Center 6512 Arizona Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90045 Phone: (323) 617-3691