Principles of the Path : On + Off The Yoga Mat – Ep. 174

In this two part podcast Robert A.F. Thurman gives an unique presentation of “Three Principles of the Path” to the annual “Buddha and The Yogis” gathering of yoga practitioners held at Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, New York.

Professor Thurman elucidates in clear and readily accessible terms to those unfamiliar with Buddhism the “Lam Rim: Stages of The Path” a streamlining of mind transformation teachings created in Tibet by Jey Tsongkhapa (1357–1419), focusing on his “Three Principles of The Path” poem, which is known as the quintessence of the longer teaching.

Providing a concise introduction to the Buddhist path, Robert Thurman begins this fast moving teaching by defining what Buddhism is and how it’s mind-tranforming philosophy based on the inner sciences is thought of as religious by those not engaging in its practice.

The first half of this podcast includes: a discussion of the concept of a Bodhisattva, it’s relationship to tantra, yoga, how the desire for freedom from suffering when coupled with altruistic intention and an understanding of emptiness is the essence of the Buddhist path, a re-telling of a humorous story of the walking stick from Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden” and a non-dual perspective on Nirvana.

This week’s podcast’s second half concludes with an in-depth teaching on causation, karma and reincarnation and how they relate to an understanding of the Nirvanic nature of reality of a Realistic world view as taught as the first branch of the Buddha’s Noble Eight Fold Path.

This week’s episode’s of the Bob Thurman Podcast was thanks to Richard Freeman + Mary Taylor and was brought to you in part through the support of the Tibet House US Membership Community and Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, New York.

“Principles of the Path : On + Off The Yoga Mat” is an excerpt from the archive recordings from the Tibet House US retreat “Buddha & the Yogis: the Divine Feminine” with Richard Freeman, Mary Taylor and Robert AF Thurman recorded at Menla’s Nalanda Conference Center in Phoenicia, New York, Summer 2017.

Listen to more archive recordings from from past Robert AF Thurman teachings + public events please consider becoming a Tibet House US member. To learn about the benefits of Tibet House US Membership please visit: www.tibethouse.us.

Previews are available on the Tibet House US YouTube Channel + Full Archive Recordings from the 2016 + 2017 Annual Retreat at Menla in the THUS Member Archives. Tibet House US Member Access starts at $2 a Month.

The song ‘Dancing Ling’ + ‘Trance Tibet’ by Tenzin Choegyal from the album ‘Heart Sutra‘ (2004) by Ethno Super Lounge is used on the Bob Thurman Podcast with artist’s permission, all rights reserved.

To learn more about upcoming programs in the heart of the Catskills