EveryBodhi Podcast

Survival of the fittest, is a well worn cliche deeply seeped into the fibers of our contemporary culture. Our every relationship can be influenced by a sense of competition and comparison if we don't learn to observe ourselves honestly. Jampal Norbu examines the ways Lojong acts as both a reference and a remedy along the bodhisattva path to becoming a genuine friend to ourselves, to the world, and...

We're quick to point a finger at another when anything's wrong. Sometimes the accusation might even be reasonable, but the point is, we have a tendency to blame others. Passing the buck, though, has a gradual weakening effect on our own mind. In the service of integrity and resilience we must reach the point of exclaiming," The buck stops here ." Jampal Norbu considers lawsuits, livestock, scapego...

On the surface, many Lojong verses seem like do-this-don't-do-that dictates restricting and prohibiting our freedom. These verses are actually friendly cautions alerting us to subtle attitudes that act against our well being. The integrity of our spiritual path depends upon a willingness to leave counterproductive habits behind in the name of true freedom. Jampal Norbu examines integrity in the co...

We are full of stories. Our whole relative experience can be seen as such, just stories. Stories are helpful in comprehending experience, but stories also confuse our very perceptions. When our sense of self importance writes the narrative, we typically arrive at stories that are corrosive to positive agency, confidence and contentment. Through Lojong we're encouraged to be aware of who from withi...

There are 59 verses in the root text of Lojong that function as pithy mind training slogans. Each verse is dialed into a specific way that we struggle with our self importance. Through the years on this podcast, we've contemplated the verses one-by-one because each verse is worth considering. Sometimes we take a step back to view the bigger picture of how the spiritual path and the practice of Loj...

Humans have used debate for millennia because it effectively exposes assumption, bias and misunderstanding. Most debates these days, though, are undertaken not for the sake of clarity and understanding, but for the sake of argument. In the spirit of argument, the main objective is to win, not to learn or clarify. Argument is ego's conquest in its relentless campaign of self validation. In the spir...

Loyalty is a charged concept these days. For some, loyalty is a noble quality. For others, loyalty provokes dismissive disdain, as if it were just another outdated notion. But all of us demonstrate loyalty more often than we might be willing to admit. In this episode, Jampal Norbu reflects on the care and wisdom required to apply loyalty where loyalty is due. This is part 2 of a 2-part examination...

Each of Lojong's 59 slogans are composed of carefully selected words that can become powerful and reliable resources on the spiritual path. One's own words. Years ago, when Jampal Norbu worked on a Tibetan to English translation of the Lojong verses he was surprised to learn that Trungpa Rinpoche's well-know translation of Verse 30, "Don't be so predictable," was not quite direct or literal. In th...

Ego loves attention. It loves to call the shots. Ego even inserts itself into otherwise positive, altruistic actions. The Buddhist tradition of Lojong enables us to refine our practice of self-reflection so that we might observe and remedy ego's sneakier tactics. In this episode, Jampal Norbu encourages us to find and face the source of true happiness as he examines Lojong Verse 29: Abstain From T...

Jampal Norbu considers the examined, meaningful life beyond self indulgence and impulse. Our impulsive behavior is dictated by the self important rascal called ego, whose every action results in the five afflictive emotions. The Buddhist practice of Lojong trains us to spot and acknowledge those patterns. Seeing beyond those patterns we discover and appreciate new aspects and abilities within our...

Sit by a riverside in The Kingdom of Bhutan with Jampal Norbu as he reflects on the value of our Buddhist heritage and history. The people, places and surprises encountered along a pilgrim's trail can illuminate many aspects of study, practice and experience. Lojong too connects us to the genuine heart of the spiritual path and the blessings of all those great aspirants that came before us. 

Jampal Norbu discusses the historical and cultural significance of the Deer Park at Sarnath, where the Buddha first turned The Wheel of Dharma. He emphasizes the unique context these teachings offer by acknowledging the root cause of all our suffering. Understanding this, we can proceed to cultivate a positive and meaningful existence.

The Lojong mind training slogans don't offer practitioners advice so that we might simply become nice or agreeable people. Mind training aims to aid us in genuine transformation, but we need to challenge ourselves to understand its deeper, nuanced layers. In this episode, Jampal Norbu is joined by Dharma teacher, Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel, in contemplation of Verse 26: "Do Not Ponder Others' Busine...

Have you heard of negativity bias? Recognizing threats to our well being is intuitive and alerts a sense of urgency around perceived negativities. However, this same quality can run out of control in a world where social criticism, and doom scrolling keep us locked into negative patterns. Lojong practice transforms that negative urgency into a healthier, positive mindset. Jampal Norbu explores ver...

The practice of Lojong has a long and well established history. Many great practitioners have composed invaluable commentaries on its liberating effects. Their guidebooks reach across centuries, and transform even our fast paced, modern day negativities. These illuminating texts make Lojong one of the most accessible Buddhist practices in the world today, but so do the examples of great living pra...

The practice of Lojong has a long and well established history. Many great practitioners have composed invaluable commentaries on its liberating effects that can reach across centuries and transform even our fast paced, modern day negativities. These illuminating guidebooks make Lojong one of the most accessible Buddhist practices in the world today, but so do the examples of great living practiti...

Freedom is one of the fundamental rights for all human beings. But what does freedom look like on a personal level…on a spiritual level? Are we seeking freedom from responsibility, freedom from persecution or freedom from consequences? All beings are answerable to the laws of cause and effect, which means that true freedom comes from taking responsibility for your own mind. Jampal Norbu examines t...

Jampal Norbu examines the 22nd verse of Lojong: "You have reached proficiency if you can practice even while distracted."  Transforming self concern into care for others is the core of Buddhist meditation. How then do we gauge our progress on that path? The key lies in self reflection, which makes meditation possible. With a strong foundation of self reflection, our practice is available even when...

Suffering happens, sometimes in heaps. It takes a great deal of strength to overcome the internal darkness of neurotic emotions. While forced positivity can be just a bypass of a difficult experience in life, we're still responsible for our own minds. So what to do? Lojong verse 21, "Always maintain a joyful attitude," reminds us to deepen our understanding within the experiences of both suffering...

The proliferation of opinions is endless, and many of them are misinformed. How do we come to trust the direct perception of our own mind over the assumptions of others? Through contemplation and practice, we can learn to find genuine confidence in our own experience. In this episode, Jampal Norbu examines the 20th verse of Lojong, "Of the two witnesses, rely on the main one." Theme music by Matt...

In this episode, Jampal Norbu examines the 19th verse of Lojong, "All dharma agrees at a single point." This verse identifies the common ground shared by all schools of Buddhism; a ground that provides the essential basis of Dharma practice. Theme music by Matt Quentin.

Jampal Norbu considers the 18th verse of Lojong, "The Mahayana Instructions for the transference of consciousness are the five thoughts. Conduct is vital." We examined how the Five Strengths apply to everyday life in the previous episode. Now, we will see how the Five Strengths apply to the end of life. Dharma teacher Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel joins Dungse Jampal for a thoughtful dialogue on how mi...

Jampal Norbu explores the fourth point of mind training, which encourages practitioners to make Lojong a way of life. The seventeenth verse of Lojong, "The pith instructions briefly summarized: Apply the five strengths," shows us the path to a life wholly integrated with bodhicitta. Theme music by Matt Quentin.

Jampal Norbu examines what it means to bring the practice of Lojong fully into your life. The sixteenth verse of lojong, "use whatever you face as a practice immediately", is a commitment to go beyond the framework of conventional thinking and to bring practice to everything as it arises. The power of this verse lives in the present moment, and if we can bring our practice insight to this moment,...

Jampal Norbu explores the practice of applying Tonglen in everyday life by utilizing specific skillful means. The fifteenth verse of Lojong, "The Four Practices are the Best of Means," outline specific methods of practice which enhance Lojong practice in general. Theme music by Matt Quentin