Mangala Shri Bhuti - The Link

Speaker: Greg Seton. Greg describes how we can view the experience of physical pain as an occasion for cultivating compassion, wisdom, and devotion to Dharma. The five-step process he suggests begins with acknowledging that the root of all suffering is the craving that perpetuates rebirth in samsara, in which all sentient beings are subject to the suffering of suffering, the suffering of change and the suffering of pervasive, conditioned existence. Since pain in samsara is unavoidable, we should accept and understand it as deeply as possible, viewing it as an opportunity to cultivate compassion for all beings.

Speaker: Polly Banerjee Gallagher. Polly addresses the importance of placing our trust in our basic good nature as we work with obstacles arising from the eight worldly concerns. We can trust in our true nature, which is independent of external circumstances and which gives meaning to our lives and our ability to benefit others. The practices of "simmering" and contemplating the 72 obstacles that arise from the eight worldly concerns allows us to work with the stress that builds when we are distracted from our awakened mind. In practicing patience, it helps to maintain a light-hearted, humorous attitude, be patient with ourselves and remind ourselves of the true nature of the self and the ego.

Speaker: Dungse Jampal Norbu. Dungse-la draws contrasts between being in and out of retreat and how the transition between them can be like bardo experiences. Retreat provides an opportunity to relax the process of identification, where we are less focused on projecting a self. Instead we focus intently on practice and resting in the nature. When we transition out of retreat, we get to watch how our tendency to develop identity rushes back in, how we contrive an identity amidst the push and pull of our preferences and aversions.

Speaker: Jim Hoepfinger. Jim relates how extensive practice cultivated his insight into the nature of mind and the illusory nature of ego and mind states. Extended periods of meditation gave rise to the direct realization that mind states are transitory and can't be mistaken for the "I." Searching for the "I" gave rise to the realization that there is nothing permanent, solid, or independent to be found. The resulting state of groundlessness gave rise to devotion, appreciation of the blessings of the lineage, the connection to the guru and bodhicitta.

Speaker: Abba Hatcher. Abba applies the Madhyamika teachings on selflessness and absolute reality to the experience of death and impermanence. The death of her mother led her to contemplate the unity of the "two wings of the bird": the relative view of the appearance of death and the absolute, nondual view of the reality of deathlessness. When we mistakenly take the self to be real, independent, unitary and permanent, we separate ourselves from others and accept a dualistic view of the world defined in terms of subject-object relationships. The need to protect the self arises from this view, generating a fear of death. To protect the self from death and from our fear of death, we resist its reality along with all forms of impermanence. This view only generates more suffering. It is by realizing the selflessness of the self that we dissolve dualism and apprehend the nondual nature of absolute reality that excludes nothing. Such contemplations prepare us for the challenges we face when we die and enter the bardo.

Speaker: Dungse Jampal Norbu. This is the third of three talks in an ongoing series Dungse-la is giving on Lojong. The weekend program was held on May 15-16, 2021 in Crestone, Colorado.

Speaker: Ram Jyoti. Ram Jyoti identifies patience, self-reflection, confession and devotion as powerful practices to cultivate self-awareness, self-acceptance and liberation from samsara. Feeling offended is a sure sign that karmic seeds are being burnt; by tolerating the discomfort of these experiences, we can burn karma without creating more negative karma. This practice requires patience to endure discomfort and self-reflection to see our own suffering clearly. We can alleviate this suffering through confessing, but only if we approach it from the wisdom of emptiness. If we cling to the belief in a self, confession can simply generate more self-clinging; if we approach it from the perspective of emptiness however, it can liberate us from the self-grasping ignorance that gave rise to our karma. The buddhas and bodhisattvas and our guru are always present to encourage us with unconditional love and kindness. Cultivating devotion to them supports our intention to liberate ourselves and all beings from suffering.

Speaker: Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche. In this pre-recorded talk given on February 2, 2003 at Samten Ling, Rinpoche explains how as Buddhists, we need to think about world affairs, social affairs, household affairs and personal affairs. How can we learn from other people and nations? Often we find ourselves living in our own world and this world becomes more solid than the world we live in, creating conflicts that are difficult to resolve. We forget about the basic human qualities that we all share, which is the desire for happiness and freedom from suffering. These are basic to all beings and we are all interconnected in this way. Recognizing this we need to synchronize our inner and outer worlds. We cannot learn only in our own narrow, inner world. We need to find a broader ground by understanding others. Diversity is not the problem. It is important not to forget the common ground we share.

Speaker: Joey Waxman. Joey reflects on the importance of cultivating an accurate view of ourselves by discerning the difference between neurotic self-judgments and a healthy recognition of our faults. While it is important to see our own faults clearly, there is no benefit in indulging in guilt or shame, which are merely forms of self-clinging. Mindfulness and vigilant introspection allow us to be aware of habitual negative narratives. Viewing our experiences through the wisdom of emptiness allows us to feel genuine remorse instead of neurotic shame. Through this effort we can develop unshakeable confidence in our buddha nature and cultivate the humility, trust, and devotion that enable us to progress on the path.

Speaker: Lindsay Heppner. Lindsay reflects on how the recent and unexpected death of a dear friend has inspired her to reflect on her life, her relationships and the importance of her practice of the Dharma. Every experience offers a valuable chance to work with our mind, but the death of a loved one, heightening our awareness of the uncertainty of life and the suffering of loss, offers a particularly powerful opportunity to apply the wisdom of Buddhist teachings. The four immeasurables and the four thoughts that turn the mind to the Dharma remind us of the preciousness of our human birth, the impermanence, uncertainties and suffering of our lives, and the power of karma to determine the circumstances of our rebirth. These contemplations encourage us to view every experience as an invitation to cultivate a warm, open, and compassionate heart, and to strengthen our conviction in the wisdom of renunciation.

Speaker: Ashveen Bucktowar. Ashveen reflects on how the contemplation of impermanence clarifies our priorities and deepens our appreciation for our precious human birth. The pandemic of the past year, which has heightened our awareness of death, has encouraged us to clarify our priorities, align our intentions with our actions and simplify our lives to make more time for the Dharma. It reminds us that, while we cannot control external circumstances, we can always make our own choices and direct our karma. It reminds us of the three certainties: that we will die; that we cannot predict how or when we will die; and that at the time of our death only our practice of the Dharma will matter. Beyond this, the contemplation of death and impermanence enriches our lives by reminding us of the beauty and value of our lives and our relationships with others.

Speaker: Dungse Jampal Norbu. Dungse-la contemplates death and identity on this Easter Sunday talk. Our grasping and attachment to the sense of self are the source of our suffering and an obstacle to gracefully meeting the moment of death. And yet a healthy sense of self is important for functioning in the world. Exploring and analyzing our identity is an integral part of Dharma practice.

Speaker: Michelle de Raismes. Michelle recalls her introduction to Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, reflecting on how her awareness and compassion have been cultivated by our teachers, by our practice, and by the sangha. As we age, our perspective changes. The eight worldly concerns fade in importance, and our ability to let go and open fully to the present moment deepens and grows more meaningful. In doing so, we find our ground, open our hearts, overcome fear, and develop trust, wisdom, and compassion.

Speaker: Greg Seton. Greg offers a framework for purifying our minds by transforming negative mindsets into a mindset of awareness. Mindsets are complex, habitual, often unconscious attitudes that shape our perceptions, form our attitudes and drive our intentions. Mindsets generate and are generated by our storylines about ourselves and the world. Negative mindsets are the source of suffering, but because we create them, we can transform them. We can do this by cultivating renunciation, compassion, and devotion. We generate genuine renunciation by gaining the wisdom and insight to see for ourselves the relation between our suffering and our negative mindsets. Compassion arises from renunciation. It is the desire for the suffering of all beings to end. By recognizing that, like us, all beings suffer from negative habitual mindsets, we overcome our self-centered attitudes and generate the wish for all beings to be free. Devotion, which arises from renunciation and compassion, cultivates an even deeper yearning to free ourselves from suffering. Expressed through supplication, devotion generates a sense of humility that frees us from our fear of seeing ourselves clearly and encourages us to see ourselves from a broader perspective. By generating renunciation, compassion, and devotion when we meditate, we can tame and purify our minds, cultivate the mindset of awakening, and gain freedom for ourselves and all sentient beings.

Speaker: Kelly Smith. Kelly tells stories of how Rinpoche's vision for the land in Crestone came to fruition and the MSB Sangha was formed.