Listen Contemplate Meditate

It's common for us to think that we're either a bad practitioner or a good practitioner. But, we should always be thinking in terms of: "How can I become a better practitioner?". So, where do we start? With aspiration.

When we’re kids, our parents world can revolve around us. Then, as we grow older, we begin to instinctively think about ourselves and our growing needs. The problem is, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas taught that this selfish thinking is the source of our suffering. So how do we cultivate selflessness? We start by examining the kindness of our parents.

Meditation isn't a state, but rather a method to get used to knowing what's going on. The point is to notice how our present mind is. When we begin to know our current mind—instead of focusing on a future, more peaceful mind—we can begin working with who we really are. Lama Padma explains.

In this episode, Lama Padma Gyatso goes step-by-step through a simple and concise meditation session.

We wear lots of hats, constantly inventing who we are–an artist, a housekeeper, a lover, a business woman–never understanding who we actually are and dealing with the anxieties that come with that misunderstanding. But when our masquerade of purpose starts to break, an opportunity to be more authentic presents itself.

In this teaching, Lama Padma Gyatso talks about diminishing hopes and fears through the four thoughts. By applying these principals in our own life, we can arrive at a place of feeling that we finally have what we’ve been longing for.

Just as one shoots an arrow at a target, when we are aware of our own flaws, we have a target to direct our spiritual practice towards.

Part of the very fabric of life is our constant search for happiness. We can try to have a positive outlook on things or maybe we can distract ourselves with activities we enjoy. But regardless of the outcome, nothing lasts forever and we find ourselves again and again facing the challenge of satisfying our needs. This cycle is what the Buddha called suffering and is the predicament we find ourselves in. That being said, there is a silver lining... we have the spiritual path.

Compassion—the aspiration that suffering cease—is a powerful antidote to self-centeredness that momentarily releases us from focusing on ourselves and our problems. Lama Padma talks about the benefits and usefulness of compassion. Recorded on Dec. 11th, 2016

Doing Dharma can be one of those things we’ll do later. But Dharma is only doing it. So what do we do when we can’t do Dharma? How do we become motivated?

In these pith instructions, Jigme Rinpoche touches on a number of topics including mindfulness, bodhichitta and the willingness to accept our flaws. Recorded during the Red Vajrasattva Drubchen on September 25, 2016.

Whether listening to teachings or simply waking up in the morning, we should do so with pure motivation—the wish that all beings attain enlightenment. This being said, upholding such a mindset is easier said than done. So, how do we get there? Where do we start? With the person right in front of you.

Lama Tsering Everst gives an explanation of why one would enter the Buddhist path, where the Vajrayana fits into the Buddhist tradition, as well as how to get started on the Vajrayana path. Recorded on October 4th, 2015.

Lama Padma Gyatso teaches about the training and cultivation of joyful diligence. Recorded on January 23rd, 2016.

Jigme Tromge Rinpoche gives an overview of The Four Thoughts—precious human birth, impermanence, cause and effect and the suffering of samsara. While the contemplations of precious human birth and impermanence help to decrease our attachments, the contemplations of the cause and effect and the suffering of samsara keep us from creating further suffering in the future. Recorded on April 8th, 2016 at Chagdud Gonpa Rigdzin Ling.

Whether it's going to high school, getting a phD or attaining enlightenment, the guidance of a teacher is essential. Recorded on April 9th, 2016 at Chagdud Gonpa Rigdzin Ling.

The basic premise of a Buddhist thought is to be kind, but how do we actually accomplish kindness? Where do we start? You start with your mother. This teaching was recorded at Odsal Ling in São Paulo, Brazil on September 27th, 2015.

Lama Padma Gyatso shares a Buddhist perspective of love and relationships. Recorded on February 14th, 2016 at Chagdud Gonpa Rigdzin Ling.

In this teaching, Chagdud Khadro shares a Buddhist perspective on many different aspects of the dying process. Death can be seen as a brilliant mirror that offers us discernment about life’s priorities and a deep appreciation of the power of mind. But, we must prepare, both in ordinary ways and spiritually. Without preparation, our end-of-life transitions can be overwhelmingly confusing and painful--for the dying person, for caregivers, and for family and friends. Preparation is urgent, because the time of death remains uncertain. Recorded on January 10th, 2016 at Chagdud Gonpa Rigdzin Ling.

Lama Padma Gyatso addresses common doubts that arise, as well as the importance of having faith and patience in the process of a spiritual path. Recorded on January 6th, 2016 at Chagdud Gonpa Rigdzin Ling.

In this teaching Lama Tsering Everest touches on a number of topics including generosity, impermanence and the necessity of meditation. Recorded on September 20, 2015 at Chagdud Gonpa Odsal Ling in São Paulo, Brazil.

In these two concise clips, Chagdud Khadro talks about the difficulty of working with desire, as well as anxiety. Recorded on May 20, 2015 at Rigpa San Francisco.

Lama Padma Gyatso explains how to conduct oneself on the spiritual path. Recorded on July 18th, 2015 at Chagdud Gonpa Rigdzin Ling.

Lama Padma Gyatso talks about using meditation to utilize our ability to know.

Chagdud Khadro talks about our expectations of Dharma practice. This teaching was recorded on May 20, 2015 at Rigpa San Francisco.

Lama Padma Gyatso teaches about the Buddhist perspective of including happiness and suffering onto one's spiritual path. Recorded on August 2nd, 2015 in Willow Creek, CA.

Lama Padma Gyatso teaches about the importance of cultivating mindfulness to the staff of Chagdud Gonpa Rigdzin Ling. Recorded on June 29th, 2015.

Chagdud Khadro talks about the way we relate to our emotions, and different methods for bringing them onto the path. Recorded on May 20, 2015 at Rigpa San Francisco.

Chagdud Khadro covers many of the different aspects of Sangha, the community of practitioners that follow the Buddha's teachings. This teaching was given over a decade ago at Chagdud Gonpa Rigdzin Ling.

This clip is from a public teaching given by Lama Padma Gyatso on May 10th, 2015.

This clip is from a public teaching given by Lama Padma Gyatso on May 10th, 2015.

This teaching was given by Lama Padma Gyatso on May 13th after evening puja at Chagdud Gonpa Rigdzin Ling.

In this teaching, Lama Padma Gyatso talks about liberating our thoughts through taste, our relationship to thoughts, visualization and more. Recorded on May 3, 2015 at Chagdud Gonpa Rigdzin Ling during Introduction to Buddhism weekend with Humboldt State University.

This is a short teaching given by Lama Padma Gyatso in July of 2013.

This excerpt is from a public teaching given by Lama Padma on September 7, 2014 at Chagdud Gonpa Rigdzin Ling.

This excerpt is from a Vajrasattva purification retreat with Lama Padma Gyatso in March of 2014.

This teaching was given after morning puja on March 26th, 2014 by Lama Padma Gyatso.

This teaching was given on March 26th, 2014 after evening puja by Lama Padma Gyatso.