Part 1

How to be well and free from suffering, how to achieve a lasting peace and happiness.

Regardless of situations our happiness is dependant on how we experience things and react, this is possible to change. Those situations that you can change , do so if it helps, this also supports you in the things that you can’t. Our main problem is in our way of reacting with Aversion, Attachment and Ignorance. These cause dissatisfaction, pain and problems. Everyone has the seed of these three root mind poisons, and unless you are enlightened one will always have the potential to suffer from them. Three things cause them to manifest- the seed, an object of circumstance and a reaction in an improper way. Through wisdom we can work on eliminating the seed, we cannot get rid of all the problems and circumstances. But we can change our way of reacting to a proper way and transform.

If we can change our understanding then we can work on changing these habitual patterns. Its good but not enough to just see things clearly, we must work on them repeatedly.

Q and A

1:20 Are we born with anger or is it a condition that develops as we grow older?

1:24 What can one do to gain control over fear and anger?

1:36 How does one recognise and deal with less extreme examples of anger, e.g passive aggressive behaviour?

1:46 Discussing the habit of putting others or yourself first.

1:53 Is there examples ‘koans’ for extreme emotions like anger?

Part 2

The first and most important thing is to know why we need to work on fear and anger – They are harmful to myself and others.

Some people think that we require fear and anger to survive, that they are good and necessary, but we can use wisdom to defend and protect ourselves. The more angry we are the more we suffer and unhappy we are. Yet we sometimes hold onto it and become attached to it. We need to see it clearly and understand it is not useful.

Accepting Buddha’s teachings does not bring about transformation, we must look clearly look at them, examine them and experience them.

Forgiveness is not accepting bad things, it’s wishing not to hold on to hatred and suffering more.

Buddhism is a recommendation of practices to help yourself and others, but you are your own practice.

Q and A

1:16 Using Compassion to work with anger.

1:22 The antidote to fear.

Part 3

Samsaric state of mind, always running after or away. Based on fear. How we can work on this state at its root.

Clarifying ‘Peace’, free from fear or any disturbance. It manifests as Joyfull, Creative, Kind and Clear. Our natural state of mind shining out.

Stories from Rinpoches trip to Tibet

Focus of practice is to transform fear. Seeing deeply, Wisdom as the experience of seeing things as they really are. Not a conceptual understanding.

A song by Milerapa

The transient nature of ourselves, everything is changing, yet we fear change.

Self liberating thoughts and emotions.

Distinguishing letting go from pushing away.

Q and A

1:09 Rebirth-How does mind move on at death?

1:19 What reflections are useful to deal with fear?

1:31 The difficulty with laughing at negative thoughts and emotions.

1:43 How can we offer support to each other?

Part 4

Q and A session

0:00 Do you have memories of previous lives?

0:12 If there is no rebirth, does it make a difference to practice?

0:15 How to use ‘eight worldly concerns’ to deal with anger and fear?

0:23 Dealing with fear and negative emotions from Vajrayana approach?

0:39 Buddhist view of suicide?

0.46 Understanding Karma regarding tragic loss of very young?

1:15 How to do deal with overwhelming grief?

Part 5

The whole understanding is understanding is not enough. We need to practice.

Meditation experience and purpose of training.

Learning how to relax with the way you are.

Brief and simple meditation instruction.

0:25 Brief meditation.

Understanding and attitude towards meditation.

How to apply dharma and practice in our daily lives with discipline.

Q and A

0:49 How to help very young children with fear?

1:02 personal account of grief

1:07 Is there a soul in Buddhism and what happens to it at death?

1:11 personal account of grief

1:12 story from Rinpoche and advice on dealing with Death.

1:16 How to love without fear of being hurt?

1:24 Is there a Buddhist view on homosexuality?

1:29 Is there a Buddhist view regarding signs of death?

1:32 Joke about stealing hats.

Dedication.