Connecting the Dots: Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha at Home and Abroad (Link #754)
Speaker: Stanton Dossett. Stanton contemplates the phrase, ‘connecting the dots’, used by Rinpoche in his book The Intelligent Heart. The first dot is suffering. For Stanton, it is only with the aid of daily practice that the dots become connectable, and the relationship between self-importance and negative karma can be understood. When walking one day in his local neighbourhood, Stanton had a sudden, vivid insight that everyone wishes, just like him, for happiness and to be free of suffering. Contemplating this insight and the aspiration of the Buddha to become enlightened for the benefit of all beings was a profound experience that stayed with him on the MSB Dana pilgrimage to Bodhgaya. Aware of the passage of time, Stanton encourages us to ask ourselves, as he does, "At what point do I commit completely to the aspiration of the Buddha, putting Dharma at the centre of my life?"
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54:07
Opportunites for Study and Practice (Link #753)
Speaker: Deborah Crouse. Deborah expresses her gratitude for the many resources that are available for practice and study and for the way Rinpoche has organized MSB to support his students. Some examples include the Study and Practice Representatives, Lobpons and Khenchungs who lead classes year round. She recalls Rinpoche saying that the point of study is certitude and study helps us untangle the knots. Because he is passionate about his students learning to study correctly, Deborah discusses his ‘How to Study’ guide, which provides detailed methods of study using the three wisdoms of hearing, contemplating and meditating. She also remembers Rinpoche saying that when we are able to grasp concepts previously unknown, we can fill the storehouse of our alaya with the “gold coins of wisdom” that will serve us on our path both now and in future lives. Finally, Deborah reminds us of how rare it is to find a teacher in the west who so generously offers word for word transmissions of classical texts in both Tibetan and English, as well as detailed commentaries.
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49:12
Facing Death: Part Two (Link #752)
Speaker: Deborah Haynes. In this second installment on the topic of death, Deborah recounts many losses experienced throughout her life. These include the recent death of her spouse and her son's current, terminal illness. These encounters with suffering and impermanence inform her Dharma path and animate her daily practice. Deborah's Buddhist path is the aspiration to meet whatever arises, both now and in lifetimes to come, with unwavering fearlessness and compassion.
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58:24
Overcoming Obstacles Through Longing (Link #751)
Speaker: Dungse Jampal Norbu. Dungse-la reminds us to review the eighteen freedoms and advantages and ascertain whether we are meeting them in our lives. If we find that we are lacking any, then we can strive to overcome the obstacles that prevent them from being present. Pointing to Milarepa as an example, Dungse-la emphasizes that it was his longing to meet the Dharma and his deep devotion that allowed him to overcome all circumstantial obstacles. Therefore, we too, need to keep our longing alive to whatever extent it currently resides in each of us, and reaffirm aspiration bodhicitta to engage our minds to benefit beings and bring them to enlightenment.
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27:26
Dharma Fellowship: A Gateway to Joy (Link #750)
Speaker: Ani Nyima Dolma. Ani shares some of her daily positivity practices, prayers and readings, including a gratitude mala for those who are or have been in her life. This has proven to be an uplifting morning alternative to waking in rushed anxiety thinking of all the things that need to be done. She goes on to share details about the new, MSB online program to foster fellowship and build community. Ani sees it as an excellent way to get to know Sangha, especially those who don't live close to a community retreat center.
At the heart of the Buddhist path is the individual practitioner who integrates the teachings with his or her own experience. Posting weekly since August of 2009, the Link Podcast features pithy teachings by Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, Dungse Jampal Norbu, and Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel that illustrate the creativity and practicality that are the hallmarks of being a successful meditator. Talks by students of Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche offer an intimate window into the spiritual paths of Western students of Buddhism as they bring the teachings to life in their own unique and personal ways. Most talks in this podcast draw from a weekly Live broadcast on Sundays at 10 am Mountain Time.
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