Best Bodhicitta Podcasts (2024)

1
Bodhicitta (Link #720) 1:09:14

18d ago1:09:14

1:09:14

Speaker: Bob Reid. Following up on his talk from August 11, 2024, Bob discusses the three supreme methods and the four metaphors, laying the framework for a further talk on bodhcitta. He shares some ‘provocative contemplations’ that he uses in his own practice, arising from the implications of the second of these supreme methods. The inseparability…

1
The Origin of Bodhicitta in the Brahma Viharas 26:01

1h ago26:01

26:01

Vessantara offers an introduction to the origin of the Bodhicitta in the brahma viharas, moves on from the blue sky to the refuges and an exploration of the view of scientific materialism. This talk was given in 2020 at Adhisthana as part of the series The Bodhicitta Practice which includes many led meditation practices. *** Subscribe to our Free B…

1
Aspire To Be Born on the Glorious Copper-Colored Mountain (Link #722) 59:14

4d ago59:14

59:14

Speaker: Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche. This previously-recorded Personal LINK was given by Rinpoche on May 30, 2004 at Samten Ling in Crestone Colorado. The talk was split into two parts, aired on consecutive weekends while Rinpoche and the Sangha are engaged in the annual Mahayoga and Sadhana of Mahamudra programs at Pema Osel Do Ngak Choling in Versh…

1
Moon of the Mind 1:02:48

3h ago1:02:48

1:02:48

A clear and passionate talk, looking at bodhicitta and its twin aspects of love and letting go: wisdom and compassion. Maitrisiddhi explores the role of paradox and how we need to 'hold two necessary ideas together' without polarising between them. Given at Taraloka Retreat Centre as part of the Taraloka & Tiratanaloka online Great Gathering weeken…

1
Getting Out of My Own Way (Link #721) 49:38

11d ago49:38

49:38

Speaker: Inigo Batterham. Inigo shares his experience with mental illness and addiction, juxtaposed against an unfolding Dharmic path. He emphasizes how his life has been indelibly altered by great masters such as H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and how Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche's guidance and constant presence have helped him manage his addiction and…

1
The Highly Potent Elixir of Transformation 1:12:44

1h ago1:12:44

1:12:44

In his first talk on Shantideva's Bodhicaryavatara Padmavajra speaks of Sangharakshita's evocation of the Bodhicitta. He goes on to talk about his discovery of the Bodhicarayavatara and what is known of the life of Shantideva. The main part of the talk is Padmavajra's discussion of some of the verses of the first chapter of the Bodhicaryavatara, es…

1
Everyday Buddhism 110 - Poetry and Writing as Spiritual Practice with Nadia Colburn 1:05:31

4d ago1:05:31

1:05:31

In this episode I talk with Nadia Colburn. Nadia is the author of the poetry books, I Say the Sky and The High Shelf, and her poetry and prose have appeared in more than eighty publications, including The New Yorker, American Poetry Review, The Kenyon Review, Spirituality & Health, Lion's Roar, and The Yale Review. She holds a Ph.D. in English from…

1
Bodhicitta (Link #719) 1:13:10

4d ago1:13:10

1:13:10

Speaker: Bob Reid. In the first of a two-part talk, Bob speaks about the four immeasurables, reviewing two of the three supreme methods: to arouse the bodhicitta, and while carrying out an action, to avoid getting lost in any conceptualization. He describes bodhicitta as an attitude where you wish for others the happiness that you have, with a broa…

1
A Body at Peace with Itself 1:00:54

3d ago1:00:54

1:00:54

Balajit starts by exploring different perspectives on what is the body and how limited views can limit our practice. He shares his own journey of discovery around what the body is, particularly during his years living at Vajraloka Retreat Centre. The talk then looks at what it might mean for the body to be truly, profoundly and deeply at peace with…

1
Getting to Know Yourself (Link #718) 1:11:52

17d ago1:11:52

1:11:52

Speaker: Dungse Jampal Norbu. Dungse-la describes the spiritual path as a path of getting know oneself. Having grown up in a Dharmic family, the practice of self reflection has been a constant in his life from a young age. Being a Dharmic person means going beyond improving the self based on worldly concerns, to develop a relationship with one’s in…

1
Somatic Going for Refuge 56:56

26d ago56:56

56:56

Singhashri reminds us of Bhante's emphasis on the development of the true individual, positive group and spiritual community. She then links an embodied and relational approach to our individual and collective going for refuge, encouraging us to explore how a direct experience of safety, dignity and belonging in the sangha might support collective …

1
Awakening Compassion (Link #717) 54:48

16d ago54:48

54:48

Speaker: Jennifer O'Keeffe. Jennifer describes how the Lojong practice supports us in transforming adversity into a path of awakening. As a mind training tool, Lojong helps to liberate ourselves from attachment to self cherishing and to cultivate a compassionate heart. In today's talk, Jennifer covers slogans 11-14: (11) ‘When the world is full of …

1
Karma and the Consequences of Our Actions 54:54

1M ago54:54

54:54

Here Ratnadharini takes us a little closer into the whole, often misunderstood area of karma in Buddhist thinking. She draws out the important details of the process that we call 'actions and consequences' - but her emphasis is always on putting what we learn into practice in real life, with other real people. The fourth talk in a five-part series …

1
Joseph Goldstein: Bodhicitta: Compassion and Emptiness (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 1:06:16

1M ago1:06:16

1:06:16

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)By Joseph Goldstein

1
Joseph Goldstein: Metta Instructions (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 1:03:30

1M ago1:03:30

1:03:30

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)By Joseph Goldstein

1
Joseph Goldstein: Working with Thoughts and Emotions (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 1:02:47

2M ago1:02:47

1:02:47

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)By Joseph Goldstein

1
Recollection on Death 44:44

1M ago44:44

44:44

Reflecting on her response to Bhante Sangharakshita’s death, Khemasuri celebrates the gratitude she feels for what she has learned in her Dharma practice, partciluarly the ability to open up and turn towards what is difficult in a very real way. This is a series of talks and practices from the Four Reminders Retreat at Taraloka Retreat Centre, Nove…

1
2023 Nyingma Summer Seminar: Hinayana (Link #716) 1:38:38

1M ago1:38:38

1:38:38

Speaker: Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche. This previously recorded teaching was given by Rinpoche at the 2023 Nyingma Summer Seminar on July 8, 2023 at Phuntsok Choling in Ward, Colorado. Opening the Hinayana section of this annual summer program, Rinpoche discusses self-awareness and how Dharma is the medicine to reduce self-attachment.…

1
This Precious Opportunity 46:20

2M ago46:20

46:20

The first of a series on the 4 reminders, given live at the North London Buddhist Centre, 12 Sept 2020. 1. Our life as a human being is a precious opportunity. 2. Everything changes, and death is inevitable, so don’t lose your opportunities. 3. You do make a difference, the way you live and act now will change the future for yourself and for the wo…

1
Everyday Buddhism 109 - How to Train a Happy Mind with Scott Snibbe 1:28:23

2M ago1:28:23

1:28:23

In this episode I talk with Scott Snibbe, the creator and host of the popular podcast, A Skeptic's Path to Enlightenment and the author of the new book, How To Train a Happy Mind, with foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Scott is a twenty-five-year student of Tibetan Buddhism whose teachers include Lama Zopa Rinpoche and His Holiness the Dalai…

1
Diligence: The Joyful Endeavor (Link #715) 1:06:25

1M ago1:06:25

1:06:25

Speaker: Jennifer Shippee. Jennifer speaks about excerpts from Rinpoche's upcoming book on diligence. She investigates both discipline (Tib. tsultrim) and diligence (Tib. tsöndrü), how their meanings differ and overlap, and explains how to harness diligence based on Chapter 4 of Shantideva's ‘Bodhisattvacharyavatara’. The first step in harnessing d…

1
A Solid Foundation 35:30

2M ago35:30

35:30

The human body, at peace with itself, Is more precious than the rarest gem. Cherish your body - it is yours this time only. The human form is won with difficulty, It is easy to lose. All worldly things are brief, Like lightning in the sky; This life you must know As the tiny splash of a raindrop; A thing of beauty that disappears Even as it comes i…

1
Joyfully Embracing Life for a Greater Purpose: Awakened Attitude of Mind (Link #714) 56:04

1M ago56:04

56:04

Speaker: Katsutoshi Okabayashi. Oka-san shares his thoughts on the importance of establishing a daily reflection on the precepts of Bodhicitta. He has been examining how he might engage with his world each day versus how he might habitually engage with a world full of stressful, confusing or annoying situations. Although difficult because of years …

1
A Vision of Communication 45:12

2M ago45:12

45:12

What does it take to create a context which allows people to experience meaning? Saddhanandi looks how sangha is created through meaningful, authentic friendships and communication. The talk includes references to her interviews about poetry with Sangharakshita. This talk was given at Cardiff Buddhist Centre, 2023. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhis…

1
Reflections on the Invisible (Link #713) 1:01:19

2M ago1:01:19

1:01:19

Speaker: Christine Anisko. Christine addresses the ways in which our preoccupations with material reality and the fast-paced nature of our lives block our awareness of an expansive spiritual realm. When Christine's parents recently passed away, she experienced firsthand how the animation of being alive suddenly ceases. To avoid the pain of becoming…

1
Happy Indeed We Live 52:12

3M ago52:12

52:12

“Happy indeed we live, friendly amid the haters. Among those who hate we dwell free from hate. Happy indeed we live, healthy amid the sick. Among those who are sick we dwell free from sickness. Happy indeed we live, content amid the greedy. Among those who are greedy we dwell free from greed.” (The Dhammapada, chapter 14, ‘Happiness’, verses 197-19…

1
Everyday Buddhism 108 - Heart Teachings from Bhikkhuni Dhammananda with Cindy Rasicot 1:18:45

2M ago1:18:45

1:18:45

In this episode I talk with Cindy Rasicot, about her new book, This Fresh Existence: Heart Teachings from Bhikkuni Dhammananda. Cindy is an award-winning author of the memoir Finding Venerable Mother: A Daughter's Spiritual Quest to Thailand. Cindy also hosted a weekly YouTube series that welcomed people from all walks of life to explore their spir…

1
Tangtong Gyalpo: King of the Empty Plain (Link #712) 54:52

2M ago54:52

54:52

Speaker: Michaela Ledesma. The Outer, Inner and Secret Refuge Prayer of Tangtong Gyalpo and the power of its tremendous blessings is the focus of this talk. Michaela shares stories about her personal connection to the prayer and her continuing relationship with Tangtong Gyalpo in her own life. Drawing on the namthar, or spiritual biography by Cyrus…

1
A Life Well Spent and Beyond its End 39:34

3M ago39:34

39:34

In a life well lived there is a conscious search for meaning. Suryagupta reflects on the Buddha’s (and our own!) Noble Quest. This talk was given as a part of the LBC Winter Retreat 2023, following the Buddha's This talk was given at London Buddhist Centre as part of the series The Noble Quest, 2023. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast…

1
Discipline, Enjoyment and Creativity (Link #711) 55:55

2M ago55:55

55:55

Speaker: Susan Walp. Following Rinpoche's advice, Susan shares her personal journey in learning to practice the Dharma from a place of enjoyment, rather than discipline. Discipline is important for the practitioner, but there are two kinds of discipline: one that comes from a feeling of obligation, competitiveness and wanting to be a good student, …

1
Inspiration 1:03:17

3M ago1:03:17

1:03:17

Jnanadhara explores the meaning of inspiration and its importance in the Dharmalife. He makes some general observations about the nature of inspiration, discusses the three kinds of faith, and concludes by talking about The Buddha as a source of inspiration. This talk was given at Adhisthana as part of the series Changemakers Weekend: Passing on th…

1
A Practitioner's True North (Link #710) 1:03:40

2M ago1:03:40

1:03:40

Speaker: Dungse Jampal Norbu. Dungse-la explores the practice of self-reflection as the way of finding our true north as practitioners. We can use the interrelated methods of analysis (‘tokpa’, in Tibetan) to look at things in general and ‘chopa’ to examine details for clarifying our own thought process. With the internet and social media we meet w…

1
A Limb of the Universe 41:20

3M ago41:20

41:20

‘Just as I love and cherish my body, which is divided into many limbs, so I should love and cherish this whole world, which is divided into many beings.’ So says Shantideva in his famous ‘Guide to the Path of Awakening’. In this talk Vadanya will explore what Shantideva tells us about the wisdom teaching of ‘anatman’ – often translated as ‘no-self’…

1
BONUS Episode - Re-Release of Why Sangha - Bringing Buddhism to Life 27:34

3M ago27:34

27:34

Celebrate the Everyday Sangha by listening to this special bonus re-release of episode 26, Why Sangha? Bringing Buddhism to Life. This re-released episode is the first episode I talked about the Three Treasures, The Three Jewels, or the Triple Gem of Buddhism. Back in April of 2019, I released this episode to announce the launch of our Everyday San…

1
Discipline: Form and Inspiration (Link #709) 56:49

3M ago56:49

56:49

Speaker: Sasha Dorje Meyerowitz. Sasha describes how discipline is a natural feature of our longing to attain a state of awakening. The Latin word ‘disciplina’ refers to teaching, learning and knowledge. A disciple is someone who listens and learns. In the conventional world, our lives are not patterned towards practice; practice feels inconvenient…

1
Under the Bodhi Tree 1:07:53

3M ago1:07:53

1:07:53

On a warm spring day, under the overhanging branches of the Sycamore tree in the Buddhist Centre garden, Parami richly evokes Gautama's quest, realisation, and their relevance for today's world. This talk was given on Buddha Day at the Birmingham Buddhist Centre, 2010. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify…

1
Exploring Self-Reflection (Link #708) 52:26

3M ago52:26

52:26

Speaker: Jill Oppenheimer. Jill explores the practice of self-reflection and shares her experience of working with hindrances that can arise as part of this process. The point of all Buddhist teachings is to reduce self-importance and make room for the truth, and this begins with self-reflection. It involves turning the mind inward and looking with…

1
Giving Up Asceticism and the Rose Apple Tree 54:09

4M ago54:09

54:09

Nagasiddhi traces the period after the Buddha’s going forth: as he masters meditation then turns towards extreme asceticism in his quest to overcome dukkha. Having taken himself to the brink of death, the Buddha-to-be finally realises that he must find his own ‘middle way’ to liberation. This talk is part of the series In the Footsteps of the Buddh…

1
Love: Immeasurable and Universal (Link #707) 1:03:38

3M ago1:03:38

1:03:38

Speaker: Chris Holland. Chris examines buddhanature as the foundation of enlightened qualities, including love. In this talk, he sets the stage to understand the genuine or absolute ground of buddhanature in order to see how the path functions. He describes absolute ground as a living presence, primordially existent with radiant qualities, the "enl…

1
Living what we Love 52:14

4M ago52:14

52:14

Amitasuri explores what can happen when faced with well-being, illness, ageing and death, and looks at how the Dharma might influence our response. Amitasuri takes her Dharma practice to her work as a Buddhist Hospital Chaplain, where she supports health and well-being through pastoral, religious and spiritual care for staff, patients and their fam…

1
Around the World in 72 Days (Link #706) 1:10:58

4M ago1:10:58

1:10:58

Speaker: Dungse Jampal Norbu. Dungse-la shares his experience of travel and the unique opportunity it brings to step out of our comfort zone and actively engage with our mind. He describes the difference between being a pilgrim or a tourist, the latter being one who seeks fun and comfort, the former being one who brings Dharma practice along for th…

1
Who is the Buddha? 51:37

4M ago51:37

51:37

After an account of the Buddha's life, Sangharakshita asks how, if at all, such a man can be defined or categorised. This talk was given in 1968 as part of the series Introducing the Three Jewels of Buddhism *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, ev…

1
Working With Emotional Pain (Link #705) 1:22:44

4M ago1:22:44

1:22:44

Speaker: Greg Seton. Greg delves into working with emotional pain, outlining the process from a ground, path and fruition perspective. Emotional pain or "klesha" in Sanskrit is loosely translated as "affliction". It causes pain and contaminates our thoughts, feelings and actions. The afflicted ego-mind is the cause of klesha. It is afflicted becaus…

1
Bhante, His "Gurus" and Us 43:21

4M ago43:21

43:21

Kalyanaprabha shares some of her own recollections of Bhante Sangharakshita going back to their first encounter in 1984, stories both humorous and serious, evoking some of his unique qualities. Drawing on an unpublished fragment, ‘What I learned from my gurus’, she reminds us of some of the fundamental aspects of his teaching. This talk was given a…

1
The Heart of Tibetan Buddhism—Advice for Life, Death, and Enlightenment [3] 57:26

4M ago57:26

57:26

"To meditate on self-awareness, just be aware of your mind—without any opinions or beliefs. If you do that, your thoughts will naturally disappear. Just watch—be aware. Focus simply on what is there. If while meditating you recognize that you are following your thoughts, be aware of that. Let it go. If you don’t follow your thoughts, you’ll notice …

1
The Heart of Tibetan Buddhism—Advice for Life, Death, and Enlightenment [2] 1:16:35

4M ago1:16:35

1:16:35

"To meditate on self-awareness, just be aware of your mind—without any opinions or beliefs. If you do that, your thoughts will naturally disappear. Just watch—be aware. Focus simply on what is there. If while meditating you recognize that you are following your thoughts, be aware of that. Let it go. If you don’t follow your thoughts, you’ll notice …

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