Speaker: Deborah Haynes. In this second installment on the topic of death, Deborah recounts many losses experienced throughout her life. These include the recent death of her spouse and her son's current, terminal illness. These encounters with suffering and impermanence inform her Dharma path and animate her daily practice. Deborah's Buddhist path is the aspiration to meet whatever arises, both now and in lifetimes to come, with unwavering fearlessness and compassion.
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58:24
Overcoming Obstacles Through Longing (Link #751)
Speaker: Dungse Jampal Norbu. Dungse-la reminds us to review the eighteen freedoms and advantages and ascertain whether we are meeting them in our lives. If we find that we are lacking any, then we can strive to overcome the obstacles that prevent them from being present. Pointing to Milarepa as an example, Dungse-la emphasizes that it was his longing to meet the Dharma and his deep devotion that allowed him to overcome all circumstantial obstacles. Therefore, we too, need to keep our longing alive to whatever extent it currently resides in each of us, and reaffirm aspiration bodhicitta to engage our minds to benefit beings and bring them to enlightenment.
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27:26
Dharma Fellowship: A Gateway to Joy (Link #750)
Speaker: Ani Nyima Dolma. Ani shares some of her daily positivity practices, prayers and readings, including a gratitude mala for those who are or have been in her life. This has proven to be an uplifting morning alternative to waking in rushed anxiety thinking of all the things that need to be done. She goes on to share details about the new, MSB online program to foster fellowship and build community. Ani sees it as an excellent way to get to know Sangha, especially those who don't live close to a community retreat center.
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51:29
The Magic of Three: Practice, Patience and Persistence (Link #749)
Speaker: Meryl Yoss. Meryl describes in detail the three foundational pillars of her life as a student of the Venerable Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche: practice, patience, and persistence. She covers a wide range of the techniques and tools of her practice, and in the process uncovers deep wisdoms of the Dharma. In preparing for the talk, Meryl also shares various questions and issues that require more thinking, contemplation and investigation on her part. Despite the importance of asking questions and examining the Dharma ‘as a goldsmith examines gold’, Meryl has learned that it takes time to fully understand, and therefore requires patience with herself and resting in not knowing.
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59:13
Relying on the Three Jewels in Life and Death (Link #748)
Speaker: Stephanie Kindberg-Velasco. As a hospice caregiver and death doula, Stephanie shares her experiences being with those who transition from this life, and the profundity of relying on the Three Jewels in the process. She offers resources to prepare for our own end of life and those of our loved ones such as the Advance Directive for Conscious Dying and the Five Wishes, and for MSB students, the Bardo Manual. Stephanie discusses what helps us to let go with ease at the end, as the great practitioners of our lineage have done. Rinpoche has said that if we have utter unwavering faith in the Three Jewels they will be there to greet us as we make our transition. She asks herself, "What kind of faith do I have? What am I doing to cultivate and increase my faith? How are the practices I am doing going to support me in the end?" For Stephanie, consistent practice deepens her faith, connection and trust in the Guru and the deities, thereby becoming a ring for their hook. In addition, fostering community and connection within the Sangha is invaluable, which creates a heartfelt, mutual reliance like an extended family.
At the heart of the Buddhist path is the individual practitioner who integrates the teachings with his or her own experience. Posting weekly since August of 2009, the Link Podcast features pithy teachings by Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, Dungse Jampal Norbu, and Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel that illustrate the creativity and practicality that are the hallmarks of being a successful meditator. Talks by students of Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche offer an intimate window into the spiritual paths of Western students of Buddhism as they bring the teachings to life in their own unique and personal ways. Most talks in this podcast draw from a weekly Live broadcast on Sundays at 10 am Mountain Time.
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