Way of Compassion Dharma Center

In this session, the spiritual director of the Way of Compassion Dharma Center, John Bruna, goes right to the heart of the Buddha's first teaching on the four truths. John gives commentary and a practical understanding of these truths and illustrates how the Buddha's teachings are designed to free us from the fundamental misperception of ourselves and others that will awaken us to our Buddha Nature, which is free from suffering.  This episode was recorded on March 20th, 2024.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna takes us deeper into the Buddhist truth of Duhkha or suffering, and the true causes of suffering that all sentient beings experience. He speaks about our fundamental misperception that leads to our Attachment and aversion. John also gives needed clarity around the term Attachment as it is used in Buddhism versus modern psychology. This episode was recorded on March 27th, 2024.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this session, The Way of Compassion Dharma Center spiritual director John Bruna, continues his commentary on the text "Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature" with a discussion on the Buddhist view of Duhkha which is translated as suffering. He offers practical advice on engaging with a path that leads to the removal of this suffering by first helping us identify our misperceptions of where suffering actually comes from. This episode was recorded on April 3rd, 2024.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna speaks on 4 different methods of cessation as presented in the text “Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature" by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron. Additionally, John talks about the 5 hindrances and how they obstruct our progress on the path to awakening.  This episode was recorded on April 10th, 2024.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna begins teaching on the 16 attributes of the Four Noble Truths, as presented in the Text “Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron. He discusses the truth of impermanence and explains how understanding and accepting impermanence can relieve much suffering in our lives. This episode was recorded on April 24th, 2024.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna continues teaching on the 16 attributes of the Four Noble Truths, as presented in the Text “Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron. This episode focuses on the second attribute of the First Noble Truth; the unsatisfactoriness of conditioned existence. John makes important distinctions between temporary pleasures and inner lasting happiness, so that we can relate to the conditions of this life in healthy ways and direct our energies toward true sources of happiness.  This episode was recorded on May 1st, 2024.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna continues teaching on the 16 attributes of the Four Noble Truths, as presented in the text “Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature,'' by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron. John summarizes the attributes of true dukkha by explaining how we misperceive ourselves, things and events. He offers everyday examples of using ethics, concentration and wisdom to unravel these misperceptions and engage more realistically in our experiences. This episode was recorded on May 8th, 2024.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna gives a teaching on the 4 attributes of the Second Noble Truth, as presented in the text “Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature,'' by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron. John discusses the various ways ignorance, craving and karma create suffering in our lives. He emphasizes the important point that these conditions are temporary and that we have the ability to change our situation by eliminating the causes for suffering and creating the causes for happiness.  This episode was recorded on May 22nd, 2024.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna gives a teaching on the four attributes of the Third Noble Truth: true cessation. By using this model of understanding, John clarifies the meaning of Nirvana as complete freedom from all mental afflictions rather than temporary states of bliss and non-conceptuality achieved by concentration practices. This episode was recorded on May 29th, 2024.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna gives a commentary on the true origins of dukkha or dissatisfaction. John talks about how our habits, driven by misperception, can be quite sneaky in that they may seem to bring happiness, when in reality they are the very causes of our suffering. This episode was recorded on June 5th, 2024.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna continues his commentary on the text "Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature" by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron. John gives clarity on how to identify mental afflictions and how specifically misperception, anger, and attachment impact our experience. This episode was recorded on June 12th, 2024.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna gives a very helpful teaching to clarify the differences and grey areas of aspiration versus attachment. He describes scenarios that may be a subtle form of attachment that actually serve as a temporary motivator for our journey to Enlightenment. This teaching goes right to the heart of one of the common misperceptions that, in the Buddhist view, desire is the root of suffering. This episode was recorded on June 19th, 2024.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna gives an in-depth teaching on the root affliction of anger. He describes the Buddhist view of anger as a very destructive mental state for us, and how it also leads to harmful behaviors toward others. John finishes this session by encouraging us all to practice patience which is one of the direct and most powerful antidotes to anger. This episode was recorded on June 26th, 2024.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna discusses various forms of arrogance and shows how these mental factors are harmful to ourselves and others. He also offers a perspective about the subtle differences of self-importance versus self-value which gives clarity on how we can feel good about our achievements and virtues we are cultivating without needing to exaggerate or be boastful. This episode was recorded on July 3rd, 2024.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna offers a clarifying discussion about the three marks of existence. He describes practical ways to engage with these three realities that will lead to less suffering in our lives. John also answers a variety of questions about meditation practice and encourages some different daily practices that can help further liberate our minds. This episode was recorded on July 10th, 2024.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna goes to the very heart of awakening by giving an in-depth discussion on root and auxiliary mental afflictions. He describes how from the root afflictions of misperception, anger, and attachment arises a variety of afflicted mental states that can lead to unhealthy behaviors. John finishes the talk with pithy advice on virtuous actions and three motivations that will continue to nurture our paths to awakening. This episode was recorded on July 17th, 2024.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna digs into the heart of the Buddha's teachings on the removal of all suffering. He intertwines commentary on Buddha Nature and the Bodhisattva path while showing us steps along the way for removing stress, worry, and fear from our lives. He finishes this empowering talk by offering a simple question we can ask ourselves to make healthy decisions during difficult situations. This episode was recorded on July 24th, 2024.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna offers an in-depth perspective of the Buddhist notion of taking refuge. He describes how we are taking refuge in the truth and the supportive structures that allow us to nurture a path of increasing clarity and living in accordance with "the way things are". This episode was recorded on July 31st, 2024.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, Spiritual Director John Bruna talks about the path of a bodhisattva as the six perfections of generosity, ethics, patience, joyous effort, concentration, and wisdom. He also translates these perfections into a variety of different practices that can meet us where we are right now regardless of our scope of motivation within the Buddhadharma. This episode was recorded on August 14th, 2024.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna gives a recap of the refuge and bodhicitta verse that was discussed over the past two weeks. He then takes time to answer a variety of questions from the sangha. This episode was recorded on August 21st, 2024. Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna begins a series of teachings that will give an in-depth view of the 12 links of dependent origination. He spends this session talking about the first link, defined as ignorance or misperception, that is specifically an inaccurate way of perceiving ourselves as independent and inherently existent. This episode was recorded on August 28th, 2024. Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna explains the 12 links of dependent origination, which is a Buddhist model of understanding the cycle of suffering within samsara. John spends this session bringing this elaborate and precise model into a modern and personal context, offering a meaningful journey of integrating these concepts in practical and approachable ways. This episode was recorded on September 11th, 2024. Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this session, John gives a dharma talk on the Buddhist notion of feelings which are the pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral feelings that occur in relation with physical stimulus or mental phenomena. Different than our modern understanding of emotions, this mode of feeling is an important link in the 12 links of dependent origination. This episode was recorded on September 18th, 2024. Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna offers commentary on invigorating a dry dharma practice by maintaining a balance of being responsible for our practice but not pushing too hard. He offers a way forward through integrating our dharma practice into our daily activities and engaging in accurate evaluation by observing changes in our experiences and behaviors over time. This episode was recorded on September 25th, 2024. Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna illuminates the three types of laziness that are obstacles to our flourishing in dharma practice. He not only offers clarity in how we can be lazy when it comes to prioritizing dharma, but also offers a gentle approach of maintaining balance, while focusing on eliminating stress worry and fear in our lives to be more inspired to practice. This episode was recorded on October 2nd, 2024. Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna goes into depth about practices and analytical meditations designed to undermine the three types of laziness. He talks about meditation on impermanence, the unsatisfactory nature of samsara, and meditation on interdependence. John clarifies how we need to have a deep grasp on these foundational wisdoms in order to have realization in higher practices. This episode was recorded on October 9th, 2024. Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna offers a powerful talk on cultivating the antidotes to a form of laziness that manifests as discouragement and self-criticism. He suggests finding a balanced perspective where we continually develop a sense of self-worth but avoid a self-centered attitude that thinks about "me" as more important than others. This episode was recorded on October 16th, 2024. Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna hosts an engaging teaching and discussion on seeking genuine peace and happiness. He expands on the three higher trainings that are the path to liberation and encourages us to mindfully experience when we do things we feel good about in order to create a positive feedback loop for genuine well-being. This episode was recorded on October 23rd, 2024. Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna continues to clarify the nuances of three types of genuine happiness as described in the book, "Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature." He speaks about how these types of happiness cultivate little liberations throughout our lives and are guiding us toward the liberation of nirvana on this Buddhist path. This episode was recorded on October 30th, 2024. Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna offers a compassionate post-election perspective that encourages us to see the real enemy as mental afflictions that lead to unhealthy and destructive behaviors. He inspires us towards engaging in our lives with potent compassion and wisdom, recognizing and confronting our own tendencies to focus on "me and mine" rather than "we and ours." This episode was recorded on November 6th, 2024. Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna highlights a variety of ways that we create our own suffering through our misperceived reality. He offers valuable suggestions of behaviors and ways of engaging with reality that can act as antidotes to samsara and lead us on a journey of gradual Enlightenment. This episode was recorded on November 13th, 2024. Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna offers a comprehensive talk on the three higher trainings of Tibetan Buddhism, describing the interplay of ethics, concentration, and wisdom. He discusses the importance of merging our practice on the cushion with ethical practices in our daily life, which will in turn fortify our ability to meditate. This episode was recorded on November 20th, 2024. Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna gives commentary on the stages of practice leading to liberation with a focus on mindfully engaging in wholesome actions in our daily lives. He talks about the essential practices of cultivating merit and purifying negativities which both clarify our minds and nurture the conditions for realizations to arise in our experience as we develop along the path of awakening. This episode was recorded on November 27th, 2024. Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna teaches how we can engage with the teachings on Emptiness in a practical and transformative way. He describes various strategies for focusing on reality-based living that will lead to less suffering in our experience. John's guidance is rooted in the Buddhist teachings on Nirvana by way of the wisdom that realizes emptiness. This episode was recorded on December 4th, 2024. Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna gives guidance and a powerful perspective on how liberation is possible through understanding the clear light nature of the mind. He discusses how the afflictions of our mind can be removed and how they don't taint the nature of the mind which is always pure and virtuous. This episode was recorded on December 11th, 2024. Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna gives his final Dharma talk of 2024 and concludes his commentary on the book Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron. John expands on the Buddhist teaching that our ultimate nature is pure and how that purity is covered over by our misperception about ourselves and the world around us. He encourages us to cultivate clear comprehension that knows what we are doing, why we are doing it, and if it is based in reality. This episode was recorded on December 18th, 2024. Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna begins the new year with a new text titled “How to Meditate on the Stages of the Path” by Kathleen McDonald. John describes the benefit of this style of Lam Rim text and gives guidance on how we can effectively engage with these teachings from week to week. In this first session, he gives a teaching on the first topic which is the rare and precious human life. This episode was recorded on January 8th, 2025. Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna continues to teach from the text “How to Meditate on the Stages of the Path” focusing this week on how we can engage in this precious human birth with meaning and purpose. He describes the essential practice of cultivating our motivation when engaging in our daily actions which can transform even the most mundane task into the path of Enlightenment. This episode was recorded on January 15th, 2025. Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna offers important contemplations about the rarity of our precious human life. He gives guidance on how we can engage with meditations on this topic and saturate our hearts and minds with this true perspective. John then describes how a correct understanding of the rarity of our current situation connected to the Dharma will lead us to savor each day and inspire us to engage in virtuous actions and practice Dharma skillfully. This episode was recorded on January 22nd, 2025. Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna offers guidance on identifying important and subtle distinctions between actions motivated by the eight worldly concerns and those motivated by authentic dharma which protects us from suffering. This episode was recorded on February 5th, 2025. Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna deepens his commentary on the eight worldly dharmas by focusing on gain and loss. He offers a wise and gentle approach to investigating our own behaviors to see how much of our time is spent trying to get what we want. John reminds us that getting what we want and enjoying those things is not the problem, rather itis the attachment to those enjoyable things that cause us the suffering. This episode was recorded on February 5th, 2025. Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna continues his guidance and commentary with the text “How to Meditate on the Stages of the Path.” His encouragement for this text is for us to investigate and meditate upon each topic of discussion for the week to gain further understanding and realization of the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment. This week John gives a dharma talk on death and impermanence. This episode was recorded on February 12th, 2025. Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna discusses the preliminary practices known as the four thoughts that turn the mind to dharma. He offers meaningful ways address the reality that death is certain, and time of death is uncertain, with the aspiration of being able to fully experience the life we do have. This episode was recorded on February 26th, 2025. Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna discusses an important topic about how to engage in the dying process with more peace. He covers three specific points of a death meditation that can help us loosen the strings of attachment to our friends, family, possessions and body. John describes how these analytical meditations can prepare us to die with peace and ease, leading to higher potentials of a favorable transition. This episode was recorded on March 5th, 2025. Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna offers a talk on subtle impermanence. He talks about how bringing this aspect of reality into our daily thoughts and meditation can help us become an active participant in our own becoming as we are changing all the time. This episode was recorded on March 12th, 2025. Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna unpacks the complicated Buddhist understanding of Karma. His practical approach gives us an easy entrance into engaging with these teachings and clears away many obstacles that our Western minds create around actions and their consequences. We are left with a sense of empowerment to engage in healthy actions that transform how we experience the world. This episode was recorded on March 19th, 2025.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna gives a talk about the Buddhist view of Samsara and the true causes of suffering. Upon this foundation, he then speaks about how to correctly understand what taking refuge in the Buddha's teachings and practices actually means. This episode was recorded on March 26th, 2025.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna continues his commentary on the Text, “How to Meditate on the Stages of the Path” by Kathleen McDonald. John lays a foundation for his teaching on the 4 fundamental general characteristics of Karma and covers the first of these characteristics. He offers a helpful inroad to the reality of actions and their consequences that can meet us where we are at, regardless of if we have confidence in rebirth. This episode was recorded on April 9th, 2025.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna gives guidance on understanding actions and their consequences, known as Karma. In the Buddhist worldview, Karma is an underlying natural law of reality that is complex and difficult to know. John offers a clear and simple framework for understanding karma and the 4 aspects that provide the framework for how our actions create the reality we experience. This episode was recorded on April 16th, 2025.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna helps us understand what it means to take refuge in the teachings of the awakened ones. He talks about how what we are really taking refuge in is the Dharma, which are teachings that ultimately lead us to know reality as it is. John distills the journey to Enlightenment, showing how it is all about seeking the truth, which leads to the cessation of suffering. This episode was recorded on April 2nd, 2025.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna illuminates the practice of purifying negative karma. He unpacks the 4 opponent powers of Regret, Reliance, Remedial Action, and Resolve and gives a variety of meaningful and practical methods for engaging with this powerful practice. This episode was recorded on April 23rd, 2025.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna offers a teaching on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment by discussing a few analytical meditations and how we can integrate and engage with them in our active lives. He first lays a framework of understanding the different scopes of practice by describing 4 different intentions that lie at the root of a Dharma practitioner's motivation. This episode was recorded on April 30th, 2025.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.