The Wisdom Podcast

This episode of the Wisdom Podcast, recorded live as a Wisdom Dharma Chat features Geshe Tenzin Namdak. Geshe Namdak first worked as an environmental researcher, having graduated with a bachelor of science degree in hydrology. He took ordination from His Holiness the Dalai Lama before engaging in his formal studies in Buddhist philosophy and psychology at Sera Jey Monastic University. He completed the entire twenty-year geshe program at Sera Jey and the traditional one-year Vajrayāna study program at Gyüme Tantric College. Currently, he is the resident teacher at Jamyang Buddhist Centre, London, and teaches worldwide. In this conversation Geshe la and Daniel discuss:  Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the guidance he provided in Geshe la’s education; how to think clearly; life in Sera Jey and learning through debate; the importance of doubt and contemplation in learning; the three types of dependent arising; and much more! Remember to subscribe to the Wisdom Podcast for more great conversations on Buddhism, meditation, and mindfulness. And please give us a 5-star rating in Apple Podcasts if you enjoy our show—it’s a great support to us and helps other people find the podcast. Thank you! The post Geshe Tenzin Namdak: The Mind and Knowing (#171) appeared first on The Wisdom Experience.

This episode of the Wisdom Podcast features Venerable Bhikkhu Anālayo. Venerable Anālayo is a scholar, meditation teacher, and author. He completed his PhD research on the Satipaṭṭhānasutta at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. His works from Wisdom include Daughters of the Buddha, Early Buddhist Oral Tradition, Superiority Conceit in Buddhist Traditions, and Rebirth in Early Buddhism and Current Research. In this episode Ven. Anālayo and host Daniel Aitken discuss Venerable’s newest release The Signless and the Deathless. They also discuss: the nature of signs; our perception of reality; the practice of bare awareness; and more! Remember to subscribe to the Wisdom Podcast for more great conversations on Buddhism, meditation, and mindfulness. And please give us a 5-star rating in Apple Podcasts if you enjoy our show—it’s a great support to us and it helps other people find the podcast. Thank you! The post Venerable Bhikkhu Anālayo: The Signless and the Deathless (#170) appeared first on The Wisdom Experience.

This episode of the Wisdom Podcast, recorded live as a Wisdom Dharma Chat features H. E. Kalu Rinpoche. Rinpoche is the Lineage Holder of Shangpa Kagyu. He was born in 1990 and recognized by H. H. the Dalai Lama and H. H. the 12th Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa. Kalu Rinpoche completed the traditional three-year retreat between January 2004 and September 2008. After graduating he traveled, gaining experience in the modern world, before returning to Sonada to give the full Shangpa transmission. Rinpoche continues to connect traditional Shagpa Kagyu teaching to a modern, digital world. His work makes these teachings accessible, ensuring they will remain available for generations to come. During this episode host, Daniel Aitken, and Rinpoche discuss Rinpoche’s perspective on dharma in the modern world, Niguma Yoga, his upcoming Wisdom Academy Course, The Illusory Body and Mind (formerly titled Luminous Mind), and much more. This episode contains a discussion of the live yoga demonstration from Rinpoche. You can view that demonstration from the video recording here from minutes 44:09-1:00:12. Remember to subscribe to the Wisdom Podcast for more great conversations on Buddhism, meditation, and mindfulness. And please give us a 5-star rating in Apple Podcasts if you enjoy our show—it’s a great support to us and it helps other people find the podcast. Thank you! The post H. E. Kalu Rinpoche: The Yoga of Niguma (#169) appeared first on The Wisdom Experience.

This episode of the Wisdom Podcast, recorded live as a Wisdom Dharma Chat features special guest Thupten Jinpa and host Daniel Aitken in a discussion about the series Science and Philosophy in the Indian Buddhist Classics series. The two pay special attention to the newest and last volume in the series, Volume 4: Philosophical Topics. Jinpa reads select passages and provides commentary and explanations from the book as well as answers questions from the audience.  They also discuss:  Illusion vs like an illusion; Conventional truth and conventional existence ; How to keep your practice fresh; Difficulties with translating and terminology from Tibetan to English; and more! Video featured in this episode: Science and Philosophy in the Indian Buddhist Classics Trailer Remember to subscribe to the Wisdom Podcast for more great conversations on Buddhism, meditation, and mindfulness. And please give us a 5-star rating in Apple Podcasts if you enjoy our show—it’s a great support to us and it helps other people find the podcast. Thank you! The post Thupten Jinpa: Science and Philosophy in the Indian Buddhist Classics (#168) appeared first on The Wisdom Experience.

Lama Tsomo, spiritual teacher and author, talks about the art of retreat, incorporating meditation into busy schedules, and the four immeasurables. They also discuss the challenges and benefits of retreats in modern life and the combination of ancient wisdom and science in meditation practice. Additionally, they explore the concept of 'us' and 'them,' the importance of following through on teachings, and the practice of dying rehearsal.

Malcolm Smith, a seasoned translator and Acharya in Tibetan Buddhism, delves into the depths of Dzogchen teachings. He discusses key terms like 'Bindu' and 'kardak,' emphasizing their significance and common misunderstandings. The conversation touches on the concepts of original purity and ignorance, illustrating how they relate to our true nature. Smith also highlights the unique aspects of Dzogchen meditation compared to traditional practices, particularly the importance of direct teacher introduction and personal practice in spiritual growth.

This episode of the Wisdom Podcast, recorded live as a Wisdom Dharma Chat, features a special guest, Khandro Kunga Bumma. As a young woman, Khando-la had a vision to leave her homeland of Tibet and go to Nepal. There, she met a hermit sage who told her that she had to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama. After a difficult journey, including major health challenges, she finally met His Holiness and began serving as a medium of the oracle Tenma. In 2012, Lama Zopa Rinpoche introduced Khandro-la to the Maitripa College community, where she gave one of her first teachings in the West. In this episode you’ll hear Khandro-la and host Daniel Aitken discuss: The connection between virtue and happiness. The subtle natural quality of the mind and interdependence.  The difference between compassion and bodhicitta. The importance of trust in your teacher. A collection of teachings from the fifth Dalai Lama on Madhyamaka texts. Remember to subscribe to the Wisdom Podcast for more great conversations on Buddhism, meditation, and mindfulness. And please give us a 5-star rating in Apple Podcasts if you enjoy our show—it’s a great support to us and it helps other people find the podcast. Thank you! The post Khandro Kunga Bumma: Bodhicitta, Happiness, and Interdependence (#165) appeared first on The Wisdom Experience.

This episode of the Wisdom Podcast, recorded live as a Wisdom Dharma Chat, features the return of special guest Karl Brunnhölzl, MD, PhD. Karl was originally trained as a physician. He received his systematic training in Tibetan language and Buddhist philosophy and practice at the Marpa Institute for Translators, founded by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, as well as the Nitartha Institute, founded by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche. Since 1989 he has been a translator and interpreter of Tibetan and English. Karl is a senior teacher and translator in the Nalandabodhi community of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, as well as at Nitartha Institute. He is the author and translator of numerous texts. Currently, he is working on the Seventh Karmapa’s compilation of Indian Mahamudra works. In this episode, host Daniel Aitken and Karl discuss: his latest translation work, the third volume in the Sounds of Innate Freedom series,  the four symbolic terms of Saraha,  their connection to the four yogas of mahāmudrā,  and much more!   Remember to subscribe to the Wisdom Podcast for more great conversations on Buddhism, meditation, and mindfulness. And please give us a 5-star rating in Apple Podcasts if you enjoy our show—it’s a great support to us and it helps other people find the podcast. Thank you! The post Karl Brunnhölzl: Sounds of Innate Freedom: Volume 3 (#164) appeared first on The Wisdom Experience.

This episode of the Wisdom Podcast features Geshe Tenzin Namdak. After completing his university studies in Hydrology, Geshe la worked as an environmental researcher in the Netherlands. He began studying Buddhism at Maitreya Institute and was eventually ordained by His Holiness the Dalai Lama before completing the 20-year Geshe degree at Sera Jey monastic university in India, as well as the traditional one-year Vajrayana study program at Gyume Tantric College. Currently, he is the resident teacher at Jamyang Buddhist Centre, London, and teaches worldwide. As part of The Sera Jey Monastic University Translation Department, Geshe la edited and translated Khedrup Je’s commentary on Dharmakīrti’s Seven Treatises on Valid Cognition, published as Freedom Through Correct Knowing. In this episode, host Daniel Aitken and Geshe la discuss:  His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s inspiration and blessings for the Sera Jey Monastic University Translation Department; translation and topics covered in Khedrup Je’s commentary on Dharmakīrti’s Seven Treatises on Valid Cognition, published as Freedom Through Correct Knowing; pedagogy, epistemology, and logic studies in the Geshe curriculum at Sera Jey; the practical application of Buddhist epistemology and logic to the path of enlightenment; Pramānavārttika and the practical purposes of debate in the Tibetan monastic tradition; the Wisdom Academy online course, Freedom Through Correct Knowing; and much more!   Remember to subscribe to the Wisdom Podcast for more great conversations on Buddhism, meditation, and mindfulness. And please give us a 5-star rating in Apple Podcasts if you enjoy our show—it’s a great support to us and it helps other people find the podcast. Thank you! The post Geshe Tenzin Namdak: Freedom Through Correct Knowing (#163) appeared first on The Wisdom Experience.

In this episode of the Wisdom Podcast, Wisdom CEO Daniel Aitken interviews renowned teachers Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche and Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. This conversation heralded the beginning of the 2020 Serenity Ridge Dialogues, an online summit exploring the intersection of spirituality and science.  In this episode, Daniel and the two Rinpoches discuss many facets of Dharma practice in the modern world, including: Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche’s inspiration for starting the Dialogues What motivated the Rinpoches to start engaging in conversations about the mind with neuroscientists What the Rinpoches would study if they had their own neuroscience labs What about Buddhism uniquely places it in a position to engage with science What the term “Buddhist sciences” really means and much more! This event was co-produced with Ligmincha International, the Contemplative Sciences Center at the University of Virginia, and the Jung Center’s Mind Body Spirit Institute. Remember to subscribe to the Wisdom Podcast for more great conversations on Buddhism, meditation, and mindfulness. And please give us a 5-star rating in Apple Podcasts if you enjoy our show—it’s a great support to us and it helps other people find the podcast. Thank you! The post Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche and Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche: Dharma in the Modern World (#162) appeared first on The Wisdom Experience.