Mangala Shri Bhuti - The Link

Speaker: Bob Reid. Bob summarizes two talks given by Rinpoche at this year's Shedra. In these talks, Rinpoche discusses the topic of habitual obscurations, one of the four obscurations that hinders the progress of practitioners. Rinpoche tells us that the biggest habitual obscuration we face as practitioners is American culture conditioning. Bob sheds light on these talks with clear and concise examples, elaborating on the eight worldly dharmas, and providing a summary of the Rinpoche's teaching on four principles of Kadampa. With his humble sense of humor, insight and wisdom, Bob encourages us to review these precious teachings for ourselves in order to develop our own understanding of how habitual obscurations manifest in our personal lives, and how we can begin to overcome them.

Speaker: Kelly Smith. This is Kelly's third talk on the history of Longchen Jigme Samten Ling, MSB's long-term retreat center. Kelly tells the origin story of long-term retreats commencing in 1995, when Rinpoche began imparting the Longchen Nyingtik lineage and its rituals to a handful of students. In 1997, Rinpoche's sister continued to demonstrate how ritual practices were conducted in the monastic tradition. Kelly shares what it was like to be among the first students to go into long-term retreat, including challenges with the physical environment, extended work periods, managing expectations and navigating uncertainty. These proved seminal in facing her ego attachment and self-clinging. In retrospect, she recognizes how these pioneering days were also filled with wonderment and joy, having shaped current retreat practices including work periods, being of service to others and seamlessly re-entering the quotidian world after retreat.

Speaker: Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche. This Personal LINK was originally given by Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche on January 29, 2006 at Samten Ling in Crestone, Colorado. Rinpoche talks about how devotion is the fuel to excel on the Vajrayana path.

Speaker: Suzy Greanias. Suzy gives us an explanation of how four immeasurables practice is a meaningful framework to cope with current world affairs. She walks us through a heartfelt journey of her thoughts using tonglen, the concept of impermanence, and equanimity in a practice of compassion. Suzy demonstrates the relevance of the practice for navigating the challenges of everyday life.

Speaker: Pontus Strömdahl. Pontus shares his story of how he was led to the Dharma, to the Sangha of Mangala Shri Bhuti and to his teacher, Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche. Books and study groups were not enough; his search took him to Nepal, India and the U.S. where he encountered many enlightened teachers. His longing to make his life more meaningful and to devote himself to the Dharma is a wonderful reminder for anyone who wishes to step onto the path, but one must first find an authentic teacher.

Speaker: Samuel Gates. Sam shared his experiences where he allowed serendipity to guide him on the spiritual path. Attending this year's Nyingma Summer Seminar, being with Sangha and offering his service restored something in him. Being seen and heard by others on the same path inspired him to prioritize his spiritual practice more often. He acknowledged how the power of coming together with like-minded people provides motivation and inspiration for practice. Growing up in a Christian family, Sam heard his mother use the words "God Winks" to describe a sense of being called, which he experienced as serendipitous events that have guided him. Sam embodies these many experiences with a sense of adventure and gratitude, and shared that as he opens to them, over time, more and more is revealed.

Speaker: Scott Gallagher. Reflecting on the 2023 Nyingma Summer Seminar, Scott was particularly struck by Rinpoche's encouraging students to approach practice with a state of ease. Scott differentiates the notion of ease from his habitual ways of relating to practice, characterized by a focus on challenges, dwelling on areas for improvement and fixating on whether or not he's doing "it" right. He investigates ease in practice through an example of a friend who looks forward to curling up and enjoying a good book. What would it take to shift one's practice from a problem-centered approach to one of such enjoyment and immersion? Scott presents various ways to let go of habitual, discursive thinking and direct our minds towards a more relaxed approach to practice: We can confidently rely on the lineage and deities as our supports. We are not in this alone. We can remind ourselves of the precious opportunity we have to become liberated. We can make genuine, heartfelt aspirations to benefit all beings, which allows our practice to flow with ease.

Speaker: Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche. This previously recorded LINK talk was given by Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche on March 29, 2015 at Phuntsok Choling in Ward, CO. Rinpoche illustrates the necessity of self-awareness to cleanse one's mind and reduce suffering. With practice, we develop the wisdom and skillful means to free ourselves from ego's drives.

Speaker: Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche. This previously recorded LINK talk was given by Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche on June 6, 2004 at Phuntsok Choling in Ward, CO. This talk is part of an ongoing commentary on the text, "Vast as the Heavens, Deep as the Sea: Verses in Praise of Bodhicitta".

Speaker: Markus Stobbs. Markus reflects on how the guru principle has acted as a guide on his ever-unfolding path both within the Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Markus describes how the guru can accelerate our awakening through their teachings and their physical presence. He gives examples of the different aspects of the guru principle, weaving a thread through his journey starting with his first "guru" being his mother, many years as a student of Hinduism, to his current guru, Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche. Markus's devotion to the guru shines bright throughout the talk.

Speaker: Diane de Ford. Diane contemplates how the meaning of the phrase "having a bone in one's heart" expresses the essence of bodhicitta. To have a bone in one's heart is to have both the courage and the compassion that are required to gather insight into the nature of our own afflictive emotions, to overcome self-cherishing, and to create the conditions that allow us to put others before ourselves.

Speaker: Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche. This previously recorded talk was given by Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche on December 10, 2017 at Longchen Jigme Samten Ling Retreat Center in Crestone, Colorado. Rinpoche explains how remorse and forgiveness are the essential ingredients of the Buddhist path and their practice results in the experience of grace.

Speaker: Owen Ziols. Owen reflects on how he understands and cultivates renunciation. Renunciation may be understood in the context of ground, path, and fruition, the four thoughts that turn the mind to the Dharma, and the eight worldly concerns. Underlying all approaches, however, is the need for self-reflection and skillful means.

Speaker: Polly Banerjee-Gallagher. Polly Gallagher tells the story of how she and her siblings held vigil at her mother's deathbed a year ago and how Rinpoche and the Sangha showed up for her family during that time as well as later when she took her parent's ashes to India. She also shares details about her mother's generous approach to life and reflects on the impact of the Dharma in her life.

Speaker: Ram Jyoti. Drawing from a broad array of sources, including the Dharma, the enneagram, A Course in Miracles, Carolyn Myss, and The Gnostic Gospels, Ram Jyoti reflects on what she has learned about confession, despair, aspiration, and kindness. Confession requires us to look honestly at ourselves, offering in return a sense of relief and purification. Cultivating the courage to "simmer" prepares us to learn the lessons that can be taught only by experiencing betrayal and despair. Extending patience and tolerance to our neuroses engenders kindness to all beings, and generates the aspiration to liberate all beings.