Tibetan Buddhism: The Elegant Mind

This time of year can be difficult for many -- obligatory family gatherings, stress, pressure, stale relationships, contrived cheer, awkward communications, discomfort. But consider: perhaps there's no more fertile setting for meaningful Dharma practice -- and the profound rewards that accompany it -- than with and within our own families.   -- Herein, a tale in which a modern day Bodhisattva provides thoughtful perspectives regarding some not-so-uncommon holiday challenges . . .  (Length: 17 minutes) Written and shared here by Mark Winwood, an adjunct faculty member at Naropa University (Boulder, CO) and founder of the Chenrezig Project; with music composed and performed by the renowned SF Bay-area musician Bobby Vega in collaboration with Chris Rossbach. contact: [email protected]

Ignorance, Anger, Confusion, Greed, Jealousy, Arrogance, Cynical close-mindedness, Laziness, Disturbances, Wrong views, Low self-esteem, Fear . . .  *** In Buddhism they are known as Kleshas, mental hindrances that cloud our mind, setting the stage for unwholesome (i.e., self-grasping sourced) intentions and actions. Unwelcome stimulants, they are persistent -- sneaky, lurking, powerful -- like highway robbers, always ready to pounce . . . contaminating our perspectives while bringing about unfavorable moods, motivations and vulnerabilities. But, while cunningly virulent, their nature is impermanently transient . . . they're just thoughts; fleeting, here one moment then gone the next, at times stubborn but neither fruitful or necessary. Significantly, each of us holds the means of disempowering our Kleshas' destructive effects: embark on the path of Lojong, the contemplative and empoweringly practical 12th century Tibetan/Mahayana mind trainings. All are welcome. (Length: 12 minutes) ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Written and shared here by Mark Winwood, a member of the teaching faculty of Naropa University in Boulder, CO ([email protected]), with musical accompaniment by San Francisco Bay-area musician Bobby Vega. Note: Naropa is not involved with these Elegant Mind podcasts.

"Omniscience" -- defined by Merriam-Webster as "having infinite awareness, understanding and insight; possessed of universal or complete knowledge." Otherwise known in our Mahayana perspectives as perfectly evolved wisdom, compassion and a  complete understanding of everything that could ever be understood in order to fully awaken; to become a brilliantly pure 'helper' of other beings . . . aka Buddhahood. Fact or fiction?  Fairy tale, wishful thinking or Buddhist contemplative mind-science?  Is this each sentient beings' (yes, including yours) attainable potential, our embryonic "True Nature" . . . or an imaginatively egoistic dream-scape?   Some are doubtful, others skeptical or cynical, and then there's those who simply knee-jerk into ridiculing the notion. But perhaps -- for the thoughtful -- doubt serves as a prolific gateway along the path . . .  (Length: 13 minutes) The Elegant Mind is shared here by Mark Winwood, a member of the teaching faculty at Naropa University in Boulder, CO with accompanying music composed and performed by the San Francisco Bay-area musician Bobby Vega.  (contact: [email protected])  

Direct Experiential Realization, often identified in Buddhist thought as requisite 'kin' to the Awakening Mind; slippery to describe with words alone . . . not referring to intellectual understandings or belief systems, perhaps best understood as authentic, unmediated experience(s) of reality. Join us in an accessible discussion of Direct (and Indirect) Realizations; we unpack 'wisdom' notions from the Heart Sutra; the non-dual perspectives reflected within the Avatamsaka (aka Flower Garland) Sutra's allegory of Indra's vast, multi-dimensional jeweled Net, the role of intellect and related practical how-to's included-in and emerging-from Shamatha (calm abiding) and Vipassana (insight) meditation practices. (Length: 25 minutes) The Elegant Mind is shared here by Mark Winwood, a member of the teaching faculty at Naropa University (Boulder, CO) with accompanying music composed and performed by the San Francisco Bay-area musician Bobby Vega.  (contact: [email protected])  

For your consideration: core Buddhist philosophy, primarily focusing on the Four Noble Truths (including the Eightfold Path) and the authentic learning/empowerment(s) of direct experience. -- Includes a discussion on the Dukkha-provoking, mistaken-views/notions of ‘Self', practical thoughts on karmic inclinations, Nirvana and the 'Sixteen Aspects of the Four Noble Truths', a teaching said to have been shared by Asanga, the influential Buddhist philosopher in the 4th century CE. (Length: 25 minutes) The Elegant Mind is presented by Mark Winwood of the Chenrezig Project, with music composed and performed by the renowned SF Bay-area musician Bobby Vega. Please send along comments, questions, etc. to [email protected].  Thank you.