This teaching was based on a text by the 3rd Dodrupchen Tenpe Nyima Rinpoche, Transforming Suffering and Happiness.
The first video (00-) was an introduction evening which included a Q&A session with participants. Questions like the following were asked:
- How to deal with strong emotions in difficult times and with health issues? Appreciation and perception.
- Could you please explain shunyata. Three stages of understanding.
- Why is Dzogchen Tögal practice kept so secret?
With Italian translation mixed in.
A SUMMARY
by Maggy Jones
Part 1
My teaching is from a text by 3rd Dodrupchen Tenpe Nyima Rinpche. My talk is not how to solve problems; there will always be problem; sometimes there is a solution sometimes not. First look for some benefit in the problem, most things are not 100% negative. Story to illustrate this. We never know what will happen. Story to illustrate life’s ups and downs, good? Bad? Remember, suffering is “I am so unhappy…”’ this is ego. Ultimately happiness must come from within. Winning a war does not make anyone happy; hate, fear greed, are still there. To live without war we must develop loving-kindness and compassion then we can live in peace. Worry achieves nothing. Through meditation and mindfulness we can change the way we see things, we will see opportunities and life will seem more positive. Q & A
Part 2
The kleshas (mind poisons)** The first four disturb our minds, and reacting to these bring suffering. Compassion. kindness are the opposite of these kleshas and will counter them. The 5th, the strongest klesha is “Ignorance”; we don’t understand the way things really are. Compassion and wisdom are the two things we need to cultivate; watch them to ensure these two grow stronger. Compassion is the very strong wish that all beings could be free from suffering. Do not develop aversion to suffering but nourish a warmth towards those that suffer – that way you will be more help.
What you call a “problem” or a “benefit” is personal and therefore can be changed. Story about Zen monk who wanted strong training. Our world is samsara controlled by our kleshas – we must realise how crazy this is and generate some renunciation. Our difficulties help us to do this.. Let go, transform, understand. THIS is Dharma practice. All these need is Mindfulness – to be aware of what’s going on inside you and out. Rinpoche talks on these. We must use this information in our life. Reading a manual on how to drive is not enough – you have to practice it. Q & A
**Attachment/aversion (one), anger, pride, jealousy and ignorance,
Part 3
The main practice is to work on these kleshas. The first 4 are our reactions, our emotions. The antidote is Compassion. The 5th is Ignorance. We do not see clearly how things really are and this affects everything; the antidote is Wisdom. Test the progress of your practice; if your kleshas are less strong, your practice is going well.
Compassion? Rinpoche prefers the word “Kindness” because we know the feeling, spontaneous and warm. Train gradually, with diligence and joy as if practice were your hobby.
We all have the capacity to develop wisdom, compassion and understanding. Listening, reflection and study are our three trainings.
Rinpoche talks at length on the nature, benefits and crucial importance of Wisdom. Without wisdom we can never truly uproot samsara. Q & A
For more information, visit: https://rigpa.it/ringu-tulku-rinpoche/
