The intent of these sessions is to facilitate a lively exchange on how to apply in daily situations our understanding of the key points of the Buddha-Dharma.
January Dialogue:
February dialogue:
Common preliminaries.
What about the Preliminary Exercises?
Is the preliminary practice stage essential?
What to do with resistance to undertaking this section of the path?
Where is the training in calm abiding (Samatha) in these exercises?
March dialogue:
April Dialogue:
How to deal with mental distractions? For example going to the cinema or theater, reading a novel, social media, or watching TV. Does distraction come from the fact that the mind cannot find itself within itself, and is disturbed by perceptions, by forms, by sensations? How can we stay on course when we are too lucid about what is happening in our society?
May Dialogue:
The four transformative forces:
The Power of Regret: recalling all of our negative actions in the past motivated by ignorance, attachment or aversion.
The Power of Reliance: Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels, Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
The Power of Remedy: the mantra and visualization and mental focus on purification.
The Power of Restraint: or undertaking to refrain from creating negative karma (actions) in future.
June Dialogue:
Patience, regularity or sprint on the path of Mahamudra.
September Dialogue:
Eight worldly concerns: A reliable gauge of ego centered fixations
The eight worldly concerns are a set of worldly concerns that generally motivate the actions of ordinary beings.They are:
Hope for pleasure and fear of pain,
Hope for gain and fear of loss,
Hope for praise and fear of criticism,
Hope for good reputation and fear of bad reputation.
Preoccupation with these worldly concerns is said to be an obstacle to genuine spiritual practice.
Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche said about them:
Nagarjuna states that we have to be careful in terms of how we understand these sets of factors. We should not think the “eight worldly dharmas” means that we should not have them or that we should go out of our way not to gain anything, or not think that being praised is better than being denigrated. It means that we should not look for them too much and we should not care too much whether people are praising us or putting us down or that one wants any kind of pain. It also means that we should be able to handle losses when they occur and not be thrown into a deep state of depression or despair. As Nagarjuna states, even highly advanced spiritual people still experience all of these things. They may experience gain, praise, and all of these things. They are not shunned; it does not mean that one has to shun them. What it does mean is that one should not be obsessed about going overboard in terms of trying to have more wealth and more properties or trying to make sure that people are praising us and not denigrating us. This is another thing that a Buddhist practitioner should try to find a balance with. Being in the world, we cannot avoid them. Again, it is about attitude; it is how we handle the “eight worldly dharmas” that determines whether we are going to lead a good life or a bad one.
October Dialogue:
Navigating the Terrain of Change
Synopsis:
Denial, or refusal of change. Fear of the unknown. Attachment to the usual, even when it is painful or uncomfortable. All these little deaths that we go through in our daily lives can be rebirths in a higher state of consciousness, freer, better equipped to embrace the everyday and what it brings us. How can we prepare to meet the inevitable?
I.The Resistance to Change
This section explores the common human reactions to change, highlighting denial, fear, and attachment to familiarity as key obstacles. It emphasizes how these reactions, while seemingly negative, can be viewed as opportunities for growth and transformation.
II. Transformation Through Acceptance
This section focuses on reframing the experience of change. It argues that embracing the unknown and letting go of old patterns can lead to a higher level of consciousness and a greater capacity to navigate life’s challenges.
III. Preparing for the Inevitable
This section poses the question of how to cultivate a mindset that is receptive to change. It suggests that developing specific skills and practices can empower individuals to meet change with greater resilience and adaptability.
The synopsis main message is that change is an inevitable part of life and that embracing it can lead to personal transformation and a richer life experience.
Glossary of Key Terms:
Denial: The refusal to acknowledge or accept a reality or situation.
Fear of the unknown: Apprehension and anxiety stemming from uncertainty about future events or experiences.
Attachment: An emotional connection or bond to a person, place, or thing.
Little Deaths: Symbolic representations of the daily letting go of old habits, beliefs, or attachments.
Rebirth: A metaphorical representation of transformation and renewal that occurs after a period of change or loss.
Higher State of Consciousness: A level of awareness characterized by greater understanding, wisdom, and acceptance.
Embrace: To willingly accept and welcome something, even if it is challenging.
Inevitable: Something that is certain to happen and cannot be avoided.
Comfort Zone: A psychological state where a person feels safe and in control, often characterized by familiar routines and behaviors.
Resilience: The ability to adapt and bounce back from adversity, challenges, and setbacks.
November Dialogue:
Transforming adversity into the path of Bodhi.
This text presents Buddhist teachings on transforming adversity into a path to enlightenment. It outlines methods using conventional and ultimate bodhicitta, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the illusory nature of suffering and cultivating virtues like compassion. Three key perspectives—happiness, gratitude, and purity—are advocated to overcome obstacles. The text also details four practices for developing happiness, abandoning suffering, utilizing harm from others, and seeking help from positive beings, ultimately advocating the continual application of mindfulness to all experiences. The goal is to achieve a state of freedom from suffering and attain Buddhahood.