A Lama Sumati Marut Podcast http://lamamarut.org/ True and lasting happiness is the goal of all authentic spiritual practices says Lama Marut, Buddhist monk, former University professor and popular American teacher of general spirituality, Tibetan Buddhism, and yoga philosophy. Feeder 1.5.2(371) http://reinventedsoftware.com/feeder/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss en Lama Sumati Marut 2007 cindy@aci-la.org cindy@aci-la.org Sat, 19 Jul 2008 12:00:01 -0700 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 12:00:01 -0700 Part One: A Daily Spiritual Practice Part Two: A Daily Spiritual Practice http://lamamarut.org/VIDCAST/LM_podcast144.jpg A Lama Sumati Marut Podcast http://lamamarut.org/ 144 144 Lama Marut's Podcast Lama Sumati Marut True and lasting happiness is the goal of all authentic spiritual practices says Lama Marut, Buddhist monk, former University professor and popular American teacher of general spirituality, Tibetan Buddhism, and yoga philosophy. True and lasting happiness is the goal of all authentic spiritual practices says Lama Marut, Buddhist monk, former University professor and popular American teacher of general spirituality, Tibetan Buddhism, and yoga philosophy. With a renowned sense of humor and precise, clear explanation of these teachings, Lama Marut’s capacity to relate ancient wisdom to the contemporary Westerner’s experience has motivated countless people to incorporate these principles into their daily lives regardless of their previous background or religious affiliation. These podcasts are taken from recordings of his many inspiring teachings in the USA and abroad and will be beneficial to both the beginner and the long-time spiritual practitioner. Lama Marut has a Ph.D. in History of Religions and taught for over 20 years at institutions such as University of California and Columbia University. He is currently Professor Emeritus at the University of California, Riverside, the founder and spiritual advisor of The Asian Classics Institute, Los Angeles, and a senior staff teacher and President of the Yoga Studies Institute. Lama Marut is also on the faculty of Diamond Mountain University, a Buddhist institute located near Tucson, Arizona. For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org and http://www.lamamarut.org Lama Sumati Marut, Asian Classics Institute, Diamond Mountain, Dharma, Tibetan Buddhism, Meditation clean Lama Sumati Marut cindy@aci-la.org no They Know Not What They Do http://lamamarut.org/ Jesus’s last words on the cross were, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” We do not know what we’re doing; we are very, very ignorant. We must recognize our ignorance before we can replace it with wisdom. Four types of ignorance – four types of ways our minds turn things around -- are identified in this podcast.

This podcast was extracted from a set of teachings on Christianity given in New York City in April of 2008.

Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org

To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html

Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org

For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org

]]> Sat, 19 Jul 2008 12:00:01 -0700 they-know-not-what-they-do Lama Sumati Marut Jesus’s last words on the cross were, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” We do not know what we’re doing; we are very, very ignorant. We must recognize our ignorance before we can replace it with wisdom. Four types of ignorance Jesus’s last words on the cross were, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” We do not know what we’re doing; we are very, very ignorant. We must recognize our ignorance before we can replace it with wisdom. Four types of ignorance – four types of ways our minds turn things around -- are identified in this podcast. This podcast was extracted from a set of teachings on Christianity given in New York City in April of 2008. Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org no 15:08 The Truth Shall Set You Free http://lamamarut.org/ There’s a freeing power to the truth, for we are imprisoned by our ignorance. Error has kept us in chains. And one of the principal manifestation of error in our lives is thinking that things exist in ways that they cannot -- essentially, objectively, and as unitary things that exist as wholes apart from our minds that construct them into those wholes. Things must be coming from us and not at us. The truth shall set you free!

This podcast was extracted from a set of teachings on Christianity given in New York City in April of 2008.

Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org

To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html

Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org

For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org

]]> Sun, 13 Jul 2008 14:43:55 -0700 the-truth-shall-set-you-free Lama Sumati Marut There’s a freeing power to the truth, for we are imprisoned by our ignorance. Error has kept us in chains. And one of the principal manifestation of error in our lives is thinking that things exist in ways that they cannot -- essentially, objectively, There’s a freeing power to the truth, for we are imprisoned by our ignorance. Error has kept us in chains. And one of the principal manifestation of error in our lives is thinking that things exist in ways that they cannot -- essentially, objectively, and as unitary things that exist as wholes apart from our minds that construct them into those wholes. Things must be coming from us and not at us. The truth shall set you free! This podcast was extracted from a set of teachings on Christianity given in New York City in April of 2008. Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org no 16:27 The Kingdom of Heaven Comes Gradually http://lamamarut.org/ As we move toward the highest spiritual goal – the perfect happiness Jesus called the “Kingdom of Heaven” – we have to maintain a regular and on-going training. Daily practice and self-discipline is mandatory; we achieve our goals only gradually. But we are getting closer and closer to the “Kingdom of Heaven,” and the proof of that is the miracles – like the internet itself – which are springing up all around us. Our experience of the world is just the product of our conceptualisations of it. Things are coming from us, not at us. We need to plant the karmic seeds to see the world as perfect.

This podcast was extracted from a set of teachings on Christianity given in New York City in April of 2008.

Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org

To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html

Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org

For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org

]]> Sun, 06 Jul 2008 13:22:06 -0700 the-kingdom-of-heaven-comes-gradually Lama Sumati Marut As we move toward the highest spiritual goal – the perfect happiness Jesus called the “Kingdom of Heaven” – we have to maintain a regular and on-going training. Daily practice and self-discipline is mandatory; we achieve our goals only gradually. But As we move toward the highest spiritual goal – the perfect happiness Jesus called the “Kingdom of Heaven” – we have to maintain a regular and on-going training. Daily practice and self-discipline is mandatory; we achieve our goals only gradually. But we are getting closer and closer to the “Kingdom of Heaven,” and the proof of that is the miracles – like the internet itself – which are springing up all around us. Our experience of the world is just the product of our conceptualisations of it. Things are coming from us, not at us. We need to plant the karmic seeds to see the world as perfect. This podcast was extracted from a set of teachings on Christianity given in New York City in April of 2008. Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org no 21:05 You Shall Reap What You Sow http://lamamarut.org/ Jesus taught karma, just like the Buddha and other teachers of the Eastern traditions. We can’t achieve security and peace by bringing insecurity to others through making war on them. We all receive what we have done to others. And the wisdom side of religious traditions teach us why it is possible to work the cosmic rules and achieve the “Kingdom of Heaven” here and now.

This podcast was extracted from a set of teachings on Christianity given in New York City in April of 2008.

Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org

To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html

Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org

For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org

]]> Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:36:31 -0700 you-shall-reap-what-you-sow Lama Sumati Marut Jesus taught karma, just like the Buddha and other teachers of the Eastern traditions. We can’t achieve security and peace by bringing insecurity to others through making war on them. We all receive what we have done to others. And the wisdom side of r Jesus taught karma, just like the Buddha and other teachers of the Eastern traditions. We can’t achieve security and peace by bringing insecurity to others through making war on them. We all receive what we have done to others. And the wisdom side of religious traditions teach us why it is possible to work the cosmic rules and achieve the “Kingdom of Heaven” here and now. This podcast was extracted from a set of teachings on Christianity given in New York City in April of 2008. Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org no 10:12 Jesus was a Radical http://lamamarut.org/ Jesus’s message was revolutionary, and we as spiritual practitioners should try to imitate Christ. The spiritual life isn’t to learn to fit in better with society but to break from it and to try reach the “kingdom of heaven” which is within each of us. We can’t serve both God and Mammon, the spiritual life and shopping mall culture, at the same time. We have to make some choices, beginning with turning off the television!

This podcast was extracted from a set of teachings on Christianity given in New York City in April of 2008.

Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org

To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html

Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org

For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org

]]> Sun, 22 Jun 2008 03:55:17 -0700 jesus-was-a-radical Lama Sumati Marut Jesus’s message was revolutionary, and we as spiritual practitioners should try to imitate Christ. The spiritual life isn’t to learn to fit in better with society but to break from it and to try reach the “kingdom of heaven” which is within each of us. Jesus’s message was revolutionary, and we as spiritual practitioners should try to imitate Christ. The spiritual life isn’t to learn to fit in better with society but to break from it and to try reach the “kingdom of heaven” which is within each of us. We can’t serve both God and Mammon, the spiritual life and shopping mall culture, at the same time. We have to make some choices, beginning with turning off the television! This podcast was extracted from a set of teachings on Christianity given in New York City in April of 2008. Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org no 14:40 Terrorist Activity Against Your Self-Cherishing http://lamamarut.org/ Other beings give us the opportunity to overcome the very source of our own suffering – our self-cherishing. We need to develop techniques to go against the grain of our selfishness; we need to dismantle our pride in self in order to be happy. This podcast reviews some of the radical methods for winning the “big smackdown” with selfishness and for doing what we must do to be happy and live a kind, compassionate life.

This podcast was extracted from a set of teachings on compassion given at a retreat in South Lake Tahoe, California, over Thanksgiving weekend, 2007.

Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org

To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html

Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org

For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org

]]> Sun, 15 Jun 2008 21:41:49 -0700 terrorist-activity-against-your-selfcherishing Lama Sumati Marut Other beings give us the opportunity to overcome the very source of our own suffering – our self-cherishing. We need to develop techniques to go against the grain of our selfishness; we need to dismantle our pride in self in order to be happy. This podc Other beings give us the opportunity to overcome the very source of our own suffering – our self-cherishing. We need to develop techniques to go against the grain of our selfishness; we need to dismantle our pride in self in order to be happy. This podcast reviews some of the radical methods for winning the “big smackdown” with selfishness and for doing what we must do to be happy and live a kind, compassionate life. This podcast was extracted from a set of teachings on compassion given at a retreat in South Lake Tahoe, California, over Thanksgiving weekend, 2007. Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org no 19:06 The Four Great Facts http://lamamarut.org/ The “Four Great Facts” keep us balanced between the two extremes of a) thinking things exist “out there,” on their own, objectively, and b) thinking that things don’t exist at all. First, nothing exists “naturally” or independently, but (second) that doesn’t mean that things don’t exist at all. Third, everything exists “merely by convention” (“nominally,” or because we project them), but (fourth) everything exists without existing naturally. What this means is that nothing exists independently, but everything does exist interdependently. Which also means everything can change!

This podcast comes from a “Dharma Essentials” course on the Diamond Cutter Sutra taught in Los Angeles in April, 2007.

Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org

To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html

Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org

For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org

]]> Sun, 08 Jun 2008 10:00:35 -0700 the-four-great-facts Lama Sumati Marut The “Four Great Facts” keep us balanced between the two extremes of a) thinking things exist “out there,” on their own, objectively, and b) thinking that things don’t exist at all. First, nothing exists “naturally” or independently, but (second) that doe The “Four Great Facts” keep us balanced between the two extremes of a) thinking things exist “out there,” on their own, objectively, and b) thinking that things don’t exist at all. First, nothing exists “naturally” or independently, but (second) that doesn’t mean that things don’t exist at all. Third, everything exists “merely by convention” (“nominally,” or because we project them), but (fourth) everything exists without existing naturally. What this means is that nothing exists independently, but everything does exist interdependently. Which also means everything can change! This podcast comes from a “Dharma Essentials” course on the Diamond Cutter Sutra taught in Los Angeles in April, 2007. Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org no 14:04 Things Exist. . . But Not How They Seem http://lamamarut.org/ The “Middle Way” of Buddhist philosophy is located between the extremes of thinking that things must exist the way they seem, on the one hand; and thinking that if they don’t exist as they seem they must not exist at all on the other. Things do exist, but they do not exist objectively. They exist when we perceive them, and not until then. Science itself is not an objective observation of the world but rather a set of ever-changing projections about the world.

This podcast comes from a “Dharma Essentials” course on the Diamond Cutter Sutra taught in Los Angeles in April, 2007.

Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org

To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html

Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org

For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org

]]> Sun, 25 May 2008 01:58:58 -0700 things-exist--but-not-how-they-seem Lama Sumati Marut The “Middle Way” of Buddhist philosophy is located between the extremes of thinking that things must exist the way they seem, on the one hand; and thinking that if they don’t exist as they seem they must not exist at all on the other. Things do exist, bu The “Middle Way” of Buddhist philosophy is located between the extremes of thinking that things must exist the way they seem, on the one hand; and thinking that if they don’t exist as they seem they must not exist at all on the other. Things do exist, but they do not exist objectively. They exist when we perceive them, and not until then. Science itself is not an objective observation of the world but rather a set of ever-changing projections about the world. This podcast comes from a “Dharma Essentials” course on the Diamond Cutter Sutra taught in Los Angeles in April, 2007. Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org no 20:22 Stop Honking in Gridlock! http://lamamarut.org/ The training in wisdom – how things exist and how they don’t – saves us from perpetuating our suffering. When an unpleasant thing or person occurs, our wisdom helps us overcome our inclinations and break the cycle that brought us the unpleasant thing or person in the first place. Getting upset at things we ourselves created is like honking in a traffic jam – it just makes things worse! Nirvana is not somewhere else; it is potentially right here and now, if we stopped creating the causes for our own suffering.

This podcast comes from a “Dharma Essentials” course on the Diamond Cutter Sutra taught in Los Angeles in April, 2007.

Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org

To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html

Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org

For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org

]]> Sat, 17 May 2008 23:16:58 -0700 stop-honking-in-gridlock Lama Sumati Marut The training in wisdom – how things exist and how they don’t – saves us from perpetuating our suffering. When an unpleasant thing or person occurs, our wisdom helps us overcome our inclinations and break the cycle that brought us the unpleasant thing or The training in wisdom – how things exist and how they don’t – saves us from perpetuating our suffering. When an unpleasant thing or person occurs, our wisdom helps us overcome our inclinations and break the cycle that brought us the unpleasant thing or person in the first place. Getting upset at things we ourselves created is like honking in a traffic jam – it just makes things worse! Nirvana is not somewhere else; it is potentially right here and now, if we stopped creating the causes for our own suffering. This podcast comes from a “Dharma Essentials” course on the Diamond Cutter Sutra taught in Los Angeles in April, 2007. Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org no 18:50 Why We Should Do Good Things http://lamamarut.org/ It’s one thing to do good actions like giving because someone told you to do it or because you think it would be nice to. It’s quite another thing to give because you understand why. Lama Marut in this podcast goes into the emptiness of the “three spheres” of giving – and therefore why such an action works in beneficial ways to yourself. Understanding how things are really working can magnify the benefits of one’s good deeds. This is the way to enlightenment – knowing that karma itself is empty and just a projection like everything else.

This podcast comes from a “Dharma Essentials” course on the Diamond Cutter Sutra taught in Los Angeles in April, 2007.

Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org

To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html

Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org

For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org

]]> Sat, 10 May 2008 22:30:23 -0700 why-we-should-do-good-things Lama Sumati Marut It’s one thing to do good actions like giving because someone told you to do it or because you think it would be nice to. It’s quite another thing to give because you understand why. Lama Marut in this podcast goes into the emptiness of the “three spher It’s one thing to do good actions like giving because someone told you to do it or because you think it would be nice to. It’s quite another thing to give because you understand why. Lama Marut in this podcast goes into the emptiness of the “three spheres” of giving – and therefore why such an action works in beneficial ways to yourself. Understanding how things are really working can magnify the benefits of one’s good deeds. This is the way to enlightenment – knowing that karma itself is empty and just a projection like everything else. This podcast comes from a “Dharma Essentials” course on the Diamond Cutter Sutra taught in Los Angeles in April, 2007. Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org no 16:34 Why We See Things the Way We Do http://lamamarut.org/ Using the example of a pen, Lama Marut shows how it is empty -- there’s something not there we thought was there. There’s no “pen-ness” to a pen, that is, no essence. It can’t exist “out there,” objectively or inherently, as a pen. It is not a pen until we conceptualise and label it as a pen. And all things exist only like that. But what causes us to label the things in the world the way we do? And how can we change those causes such that we would be forced to conceptualise our world and everything in it as perfect?

This podcast comes from a “Dharma Essentials” course on the Diamond Cutter Sutra taught in Los Angeles in April, 2007.

Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org

To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html

Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org

For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org

]]> Sun, 04 May 2008 21:14:41 -0700 why-we-see-things-the-way-we-do Lama Sumati Marut Using the example of a pen, Lama Marut shows how it is empty -- there’s something not there we thought was there. There’s no “pen-ness” to a pen, that is, no essence. It can’t exist “out there,” objectively or inherently, as a pen. It is not a pen unti Using the example of a pen, Lama Marut shows how it is empty -- there’s something not there we thought was there. There’s no “pen-ness” to a pen, that is, no essence. It can’t exist “out there,” objectively or inherently, as a pen. It is not a pen until we conceptualise and label it as a pen. And all things exist only like that. But what causes us to label the things in the world the way we do? And how can we change those causes such that we would be forced to conceptualise our world and everything in it as perfect? This podcast comes from a “Dharma Essentials” course on the Diamond Cutter Sutra taught in Los Angeles in April, 2007. Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org no 22:58 Suffering Beings Aren’t ‘Out There’ http://lamamarut.org/ The highest form of compassion or “bodhicitta” is divided into its “deceptive” and “ultimate” forms. The former is the wish to help alleviate the suffering of the beings who appear in our world. But ultimate bodhicitta is a transformative mystical experience that allows us to understand that there are no suffering beings who exist in any other way than as projections coming from us. This is the “good news” or “gospel” of emptiness: all things can be changed because all things are empty of having any nature of their own.

This podcast comes from a “Dharma Essentials” course on the Diamond Cutter Sutra taught in Los Angeles in April, 2007.

Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org

To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html

Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org

For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org

]]> Sat, 26 Apr 2008 21:14:29 -0700 suffering-beings-arent-out-there Lama Sumati Marut The highest form of compassion or “bodhicitta” is divided into its “deceptive” and “ultimate” forms. The former is the wish to help alleviate the suffering of the beings who appear in our world. But ultimate bodhicitta is a transformative mystical exper The highest form of compassion or “bodhicitta” is divided into its “deceptive” and “ultimate” forms. The former is the wish to help alleviate the suffering of the beings who appear in our world. But ultimate bodhicitta is a transformative mystical experience that allows us to understand that there are no suffering beings who exist in any other way than as projections coming from us. This is the “good news” or “gospel” of emptiness: all things can be changed because all things are empty of having any nature of their own. This podcast comes from a “Dharma Essentials” course on the Diamond Cutter Sutra taught in Los Angeles in April, 2007. Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org no There’s Something Missing Here http://lamamarut.org/ Understanding emptiness is the key to changing our lives quickly. But what does it mean? Something you thought was there isn’t there. This is the essence of wisdom: things don’t exist the way they seem to. Lama Marut in this segment explores the example of an irritating person – someone we think exists as such from their own side, intrinsically or inherently – and shows that an essentially irritating person is impossible.

This podcast comes from a “Dharma Essentials” course on the Diamond Cutter Sutra taught in Los Angeles in April, 2007.

Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org

To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html

Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org

For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org

]]> Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:29:45 -0700 theres-something-missing-here Lama Sumati Marut Understanding emptiness is the key to changing our lives quickly. But what does it mean? Something you thought was there isn’t there. This is the essence of wisdom: things don’t exist the way they seem to. Lama Marut in this segment explores the examp Understanding emptiness is the key to changing our lives quickly. But what does it mean? Something you thought was there isn’t there. This is the essence of wisdom: things don’t exist the way they seem to. Lama Marut in this segment explores the example of an irritating person – someone we think exists as such from their own side, intrinsically or inherently – and shows that an essentially irritating person is impossible. This podcast comes from a “Dharma Essentials” course on the Diamond Cutter Sutra taught in Los Angeles in April, 2007. Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org no 16:43 Riding the Tiger of Guru Yoga and Getting in Touch with Your Inner Sadhu http://lamamarut.org/ Finding and learning how to think about the spiritual teacher is one of the high practices of yoga which are designed to work very fast. . . because it is so dangerous. Lama Marut here urges us not to domesticate the tiger that is your practice by making it safe. The purpose of one’s spiritual life is not to try to fit into samsara better. Rather, we must think of ourselves as alienated rebels, like the sadhus of traditional India.

This podcast comes from teachings on the philosophy of yoga given in Vancouver, Canada, in March, 2008.

Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org

To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: : http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html

Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org

For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org

]]> Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:10:38 -0700 riding-the-tiger-of-guru-yoga-and-getting-in-touch Lama Sumati Marut Finding and learning how to think about the spiritual teacher is one of the high practices of yoga which are designed to work very fast. . . because it is so dangerous. Lama Marut here urges us not to domesticate the tiger that is your practice by making Finding and learning how to think about the spiritual teacher is one of the high practices of yoga which are designed to work very fast. . . because it is so dangerous. Lama Marut here urges us not to domesticate the tiger that is your practice by making it safe. The purpose of one’s spiritual life is not to try to fit into samsara better. Rather, we must think of ourselves as alienated rebels, like the sadhus of traditional India. This podcast comes from teachings on the philosophy of yoga given in Vancouver, Canada, in March, 2008. Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: : http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org no 15:43 Guided Meditation: The Seven Steps to Achieving Ultimate Compassion http://lamamarut.org/ In this culmination of the last several podcasts on the seven steps for generating the highest form of compassion, “bodhicitta” or the determination to reach perfection so that you can bring all other beings to that state, Lama Marut leads a guided meditation through all the steps.

This podcast was extracted from a set of teachings on compassion given at a retreat in South Lake Tahoe, California, over Thanksgiving weekend, 2007.

Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org

To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: : http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html

Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org

For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org

]]> Sat, 05 Apr 2008 00:18:46 -0700 guided-meditation-the-seven-steps-to-achieving-ul Lama Sumati Marut In this culmination of the last several podcasts on the seven steps for generating the highest form of compassion, “bodhicitta” or the determination to reach perfection so that you can bring all other beings to that state, Lama Marut leads a guided med In this culmination of the last several podcasts on the seven steps for generating the highest form of compassion, “bodhicitta” or the determination to reach perfection so that you can bring all other beings to that state, Lama Marut leads a guided meditation through all the steps. This podcast was extracted from a set of teachings on compassion given at a retreat in South Lake Tahoe, California, over Thanksgiving weekend, 2007. Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: : http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org no 21:34 Part 2: Seven Steps to Achieving Ultimate Compassion http://lamamarut.org/ This podcast concludes the overview of the classic seven-step cause and effect method for generating bodhicitta (“spiritual O.C.D.”). After a review of “step zero” (equalizing all beings) and step one (thinking of all beings as your mother), we continue to steps two (recollecting what your mother in this life has done for you), three (feeling deep indebtedness to your mother and all mother beings and the wish to repay them), four (the wish that all your mothers be happy), five (compassion for their suffering), six (taking personal responsibility for their welfare), and finally step seven, which is the determination to get enlightened as soon as possible in order to save all mother sentient beings.

This podcast was extracted from a set of teachings on compassion given at a retreat in South Lake Tahoe, California, over Thanksgiving weekend, 2007.

Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org

To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: : http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html

Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org

For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org

]]> Sun, 30 Mar 2008 11:45:10 -0700 part-2-seven-steps-to-achieving-ultimate-compassi Lama Sumati Marut This podcast concludes the overview of the classic seven-step cause and effect method for generating bodhicitta (“spiritual O.C.D.”). After a review of “step zero” (equalizing all beings) and step one (thinking of all beings as your mother), we continue This podcast concludes the overview of the classic seven-step cause and effect method for generating bodhicitta (“spiritual O.C.D.”). After a review of “step zero” (equalizing all beings) and step one (thinking of all beings as your mother), we continue to steps two (recollecting what your mother in this life has done for you), three (feeling deep indebtedness to your mother and all mother beings and the wish to repay them), four (the wish that all your mothers be happy), five (compassion for their suffering), six (taking personal responsibility for their welfare), and finally step seven, which is the determination to get enlightened as soon as possible in order to save all mother sentient beings. This podcast was extracted from a set of teachings on compassion given at a retreat in South Lake Tahoe, California, over Thanksgiving weekend, 2007. Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: : http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org no 13:33 Part 1: Seven Steps to Achieving Ultimate Compassion http://lamamarut.org/ The classic seven-step cause and effect method for achieving true compassion begins with “step zero.” We first try to gain equanimity, thinking that all beings (those I like, those I dislike, and those I’m neutral about) are equally worthy of my love and compassion. We’re then ready to begin with the first step proper, which is to consider all beings as having been your mother in past lives. To do this step, we also have to prove to ourselves that there have been countless past lives, without beginning. We have to reject the illogical idea that there could be a first cause that wasn’t itself caused and therefore everything is just unfolding randomly.

This podcast was extracted from a set of teachings on compassion given at a retreat in South Lake Tahoe, California, over Thanksgiving weekend, 2007.

Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org

To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: : http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html

Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org

For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org

]]> Sun, 30 Mar 2008 11:14:57 -0700 part-1-seven-steps-to-achieving-ultimate-compassi Lama Sumati Marut The classic seven-step cause and effect method for achieving true compassion begins with “step zero.” We first try to gain equanimity, thinking that all beings (those I like, those I dislike, and those I’m neutral about) are equally worthy of my love The classic seven-step cause and effect method for achieving true compassion begins with “step zero.” We first try to gain equanimity, thinking that all beings (those I like, those I dislike, and those I’m neutral about) are equally worthy of my love and compassion. We’re then ready to begin with the first step proper, which is to consider all beings as having been your mother in past lives. To do this step, we also have to prove to ourselves that there have been countless past lives, without beginning. We have to reject the illogical idea that there could be a first cause that wasn’t itself caused and therefore everything is just unfolding randomly. This podcast was extracted from a set of teachings on compassion given at a retreat in South Lake Tahoe, California, over Thanksgiving weekend, 2007. Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: : http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org no 27:47 Forgive Your Enemies http://lamamarut.org/ Until we look at the fact that we actually don’t like some people – people who really irritate us or who have really hurt us – we can’t get rid of these wholly unhealthy feelings. Once we have admitted our anger, hatred, and hurt, we can then analyze whether or not they are in our best self-interest. To forgive others is hard, but we can’t wait for them to come groveling to us, begging us to forgive them. We must do it unilaterally and preemptively, because forgiveness isn’t for them, it’s for you.
This podcast was extracted from a set of teachings on compassion given at a retreat in South Lake Tahoe, California, over Thanksgiving weekend, 2007.

Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org

To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html

Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org

For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org

]]> Sun, 16 Mar 2008 13:37:32 +1100 going-against-the-grain Lama Sumati Marut Until we look at the fact that we actually don’t like some people – people who really irritate us or who have really hurt us – we can’t get rid of these wholly unhealthy feelings. Once we have admitted our anger, hatred, and hurt, we can then analyze whet Until we look at the fact that we actually don’t like some people – people who really irritate us or who have really hurt us – we can’t get rid of these wholly unhealthy feelings. Once we have admitted our anger, hatred, and hurt, we can then analyze whether or not they are in our best self-interest. To forgive others is hard, but we can’t wait for them to come groveling to us, begging us to forgive them. We must do it unilaterally and preemptively, because forgiveness isn’t for them, it’s for you. This podcast was extracted from a set of teachings on compassion given at a retreat in South Lake Tahoe, California, over Thanksgiving weekend, 2007. Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org no 8:41 Going Against the Grain http://lamamarut.org/ Every day is another opportunity to start anew, to begin to seriously try to live a happy life dedicated to the service of others. But to do this we have to go “against the grain” of our own bad habits. We must say “no” to our addiction to suffering. To reverse our negative tendencies, we must first stop being complacent. We must stop being inured to our suffering, living in our little bubbles, and recognize it for what it is -- like the Buddha himself did when he finally left his pampered life and saw what this life really has in store for us.

This podcast was extracted from a set of teachings on compassion given at a retreat in South Lake Tahoe, California, over Thanksgiving weekend, 2007.

Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org

To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: : http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html

Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org

For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org

]]> Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:52:50 -0700 enlightenment-in-this-very-lifetime Lama Sumati Marut Every day is another opportunity to start anew, to begin to seriously try to live a happy life dedicated to the service of others. But to do this we have to go “against the grain” of our own bad habits. We must say “no” to our addiction to suffering. T Every day is another opportunity to start anew, to begin to seriously try to live a happy life dedicated to the service of others. But to do this we have to go “against the grain” of our own bad habits. We must say “no” to our addiction to suffering. To reverse our negative tendencies, we must first stop being complacent. We must stop being inured to our suffering, living in our little bubbles, and recognize it for what it is -- like the Buddha himself did when he finally left his pampered life and saw what this life really has in store for us. This podcast was extracted from a set of teachings on compassion given at a retreat in South Lake Tahoe, California, over Thanksgiving weekend, 2007. Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: : http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org no 17:56 An Interview with Lama Marut, Part 2 http://lamamarut.org/ Lama Marut here challenges some of the current Western understandings of Buddhism. As Buddhism comes to our culture we must be careful not to just extract what we find comfortable in Buddhism and ignore what might be difficult. Buddhism is not just a psychological tool for managing samsara. It is a method for overcoming all limitations (including death itself) and achieving total enlightenment in this very lifetime. Because everything is empty of self-existence, everything is possible.

Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org

To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: : http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html

Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org

For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org

]]> Sat, 01 Mar 2008 21:46:40 -0700 an-interview-with-lama-marut-part-2 Lama Sumati Marut Lama Marut here challenges some of the current Western understandings of Buddhism. As Buddhism comes to our culture we must be careful not to just extract what we find comfortable in Buddhism and ignore what might be difficult. Buddhism is not just a Lama Marut here challenges some of the current Western understandings of Buddhism. As Buddhism comes to our culture we must be careful not to just extract what we find comfortable in Buddhism and ignore what might be difficult. Buddhism is not just a psychological tool for managing samsara. It is a method for overcoming all limitations (including death itself) and achieving total enlightenment in this very lifetime. Because everything is empty of self-existence, everything is possible. Write to us at: podcast@aci-la.org To subscribe to Lama Marut’s video podcasts please go to: : http://www.aci-la.org/mg-video.html Visit Lama Marut's Blog at: http://www.lamamarut.org For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org no 20:39 Getting Off of Planet Absurdo http://lamamarut.org/ We live in a society where our own science encourages us to believe that things happen just randomly and that life is meaningless. If we are to ground our morality in an understanding of real causality, we must rebel against the official worldview of our culture and the idea that the ultimate good is just shopping, entertaining ourselves, and the obsession with trivia. A real spiritual practitioner has to get off of “Planet Absurdo” and retreat to “Planet Sanity” in order to rehabilitate and get in a position to truly help others.

This podcast is taken from a “Dharma Essentials” class taught in Los Angeles in December of 2007.

For complete audio teachings, please go to:

http://www.aci-la.org

and

http://www.lamamarut.org

]]> Sat, 23 Feb 2008 19:29:19 -0700 getting-off-of-planet-absurdo Lama Sumati Marut We live in a society where our own science encourages us to believe that things happen just randomly and that life is meaningless. If we are to ground our morality in an understanding of real causality, we must rebel against the official worldview of ou We live in a society where our own science encourages us to believe that things happen just randomly and that life is meaningless. If we are to ground our morality in an understanding of real causality, we must rebel against the official worldview of our culture and the idea that the ultimate good is just shopping, entertaining ourselves, and the obsession with trivia. A real spiritual practitioner has to get off of “Planet Absurdo” and retreat to “Planet Sanity” in order to rehabilitate and get in a position to truly help others. This podcast is taken from a “Dharma Essentials” class taught in Los Angeles in December of 2007. For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org and http://www.lamamarut.org no 18:41 Fighting the Power http://lamamarut.org/ In order to live a happy life, we must resist the diversions of the secular life. Consumer capitalism cannot bring the happiness it promises, and we are living testimonials to this. We obtained everything consumer capitalism promised and we’re still unhappy. If we are going to be happy, we must be consumer capitalist drop-outs and revolutionaries and resist the power of insatiable desire and dissatisfaction.

This podcast is taken from a class taught in Tucson, Arizona, in January of 2008.

For complete audio teachings, please go to:

http://www.aci-la.org

and

http://www.lamamarut.org

]]> Sat, 16 Feb 2008 14:25:56 -0700 fighting-the-power Lama Sumati Marut In order to live a happy life, we must resist the diversions of the secular life. Consumer capitalism cannot bring the happiness it promises, and we are living testimonials to this. We obtained everything consumer capitalism promised and we’re still unh In order to live a happy life, we must resist the diversions of the secular life. Consumer capitalism cannot bring the happiness it promises, and we are living testimonials to this. We obtained everything consumer capitalism promised and we’re still unhappy. If we are going to be happy, we must be consumer capitalist drop-outs and revolutionaries and resist the power of insatiable desire and dissatisfaction. This podcast is taken from a class taught in Tucson, Arizona, in January of 2008. For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org and http://www.lamamarut.org no 18:55 An Interview with Lama Marut http://lamamarut.org/ Sun, 10 Feb 2008 00:18:56 -0700 an-interview-with-lama-marut Lama Sumati Marut Lama Marut talks informally about Buddhism as a radical alternative to the “shopping mall culture” of modern West, and how the Buddha’s dharma should appeal especially to young people looking for an alternative to conformity, commodification, and consumer Lama Marut talks informally about Buddhism as a radical alternative to the “shopping mall culture” of modern West, and how the Buddha’s dharma should appeal especially to young people looking for an alternative to conformity, commodification, and consumer capitalism. no 27:11 There is a Method to Achieve Total Happiness: The Four Arya Truths, Part Four, 3 http://lamamarut.org/ In this final podcast on working on a daily basis for our highest happiness, Lama Marut urges us to check on our morality every few hours, do something for someone else every day, practice the “couch potato contemplation,” and end the day with study of a spiritual text.

This podcast is taken from a series of teachings given at the Windhover Performing Arts Center in Cape Ann, Massachusetts, in August of 2007.

For complete audio teachings, please go to:

http://www.aci-la.org

and

http://www.lamamarut.org

]]> Sat, 02 Feb 2008 23:04:55 -0700 there-is-a-method-to-achieve-total-happiness-the-2 Lama Sumati Marut In this final podcast on working on a daily basis for our highest happiness, Lama Marut urges us to check on our morality every few hours, do something for someone else every day, practice the “couch potato contemplation,” and end the day with study of a In this final podcast on working on a daily basis for our highest happiness, Lama Marut urges us to check on our morality every few hours, do something for someone else every day, practice the “couch potato contemplation,” and end the day with study of a spiritual text. This podcast is taken from a series of teachings given at the Windhover Performing Arts Center in Cape Ann, Massachusetts, in August of 2007. For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org and http://www.lamamarut.org no 23:15 There is a Method to Achieve Total Happiness: The Four Arya Truths, Part Four, 2 http://lamamarut.org/ In this second segment on how to develop a daily practice, Lama Marut picks up with the daily “morning loll” in which, before getting out of bed, we remember that each day could be the last one we have to live so we stop taking things for granted. We need to also learn to be “unbusy,” spending time quiet and alone every morning contemplating the meaning of our lives, practice daily meditation, and some kind of physical practice like yoga with the proper motivation.

This podcast is taken from a series of teachings given at the Windhover Performing Arts Center in Cape Ann, Massachusetts, in August of 2007.

For complete audio teachings, please go to:

http://www.aci-la.org

and

http://www.lamamarut.org

]]> Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:07:08 -0700 there-is-a-method-to-achieve-total-happiness-the-1 Lama Sumati Marut In this second segment on how to develop a daily practice, Lama Marut picks up with the daily “morning loll” in which, before getting out of bed, we remember that each day could be the last one we have to live so we stop taking things for granted. We nee In this second segment on how to develop a daily practice, Lama Marut picks up with the daily “morning loll” in which, before getting out of bed, we remember that each day could be the last one we have to live so we stop taking things for granted. We need to also learn to be “unbusy,” spending time quiet and alone every morning contemplating the meaning of our lives, practice daily meditation, and some kind of physical practice like yoga with the proper motivation. This podcast is taken from a series of teachings given at the Windhover Performing Arts Center in Cape Ann, Massachusetts, in August of 2007. For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org and http://www.lamamarut.org no 20:22 There is a Method to Achieve Total Happiness: The Four Arya Truths, Part Four, 1 http://lamamarut.org/ In order to achieve the goal of a spiritual life – total and complete happiness – we have to retrain ourselves on a daily basis. In this first of three podcasts on how to develop a good daily practice, Lama Marut recommends that we get a good night sleep every night and wake up slowly and naturally every morning. And before getting out of bed recall what a miracle your life is.

This podcast is taken from a series of teachings given at the Windhover Performing Arts Center in Cape Ann, Massachusetts, in August of 2007.

For complete audio teachings, please go to:

http://www.aci-la.org

and

http://www.lamamarut.org

]]> Sun, 20 Jan 2008 21:25:50 -0800 there-is-a-method-to-achieve-total-happiness-the Lama Sumati Marut In order to achieve the goal of a spiritual life – total and complete happiness – we have to retrain ourselves on a daily basis. In this first of three podcasts on how to develop a good daily practice, Lama Marut recommends that we get a good night sleep In order to achieve the goal of a spiritual life – total and complete happiness – we have to retrain ourselves on a daily basis. In this first of three podcasts on how to develop a good daily practice, Lama Marut recommends that we get a good night sleep every night and wake up slowly and naturally every morning. And before getting out of bed recall what a miracle your life is. This podcast is taken from a series of teachings given at the Windhover Performing Arts Center in Cape Ann, Massachusetts, in August of 2007. For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org and http://www.lamamarut.org no 20:35 There is an Alternative to Suffering: The Four Arya Truths, Part Three http://lamamarut.org/ The Buddha said that suffering is not inevitable. Buddhism, like all religions, holds out the promise of perfect happiness in the future. But we must work toward this goal in part by practicing being happy all the time. Lama Marut here points out that there is never a time where it makes sense to be anything other than happy.

This podcast is taken from a series of teachings given at the Windhover Performing Arts Center in Cape Ann, Massachusetts, in August of 2007.

For complete audio teachings, please go to:

http://www.aci-la.org

and

http://www.lamamarut.org

]]> Fri, 11 Jan 2008 20:24:51 -0700 there-is-an-alternative-to-suffering-the-four-ary Lama Sumati Marut The Buddha said that suffering is not inevitable. Buddhism, like all religions, holds out the promise of perfect happiness in the future. But we must work toward this goal in part by practicing being happy all the time. Lama Marut here points out that The Buddha said that suffering is not inevitable. Buddhism, like all religions, holds out the promise of perfect happiness in the future. But we must work toward this goal in part by practicing being happy all the time. Lama Marut here points out that there is never a time where it makes sense to be anything other than happy. This podcast is taken from a series of teachings given at the Windhover Performing Arts Center in Cape Ann, Massachusetts, in August of 2007. For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org and http://www.lamamarut.org no 15:57 Suffering Has a Cause: The Four Arya Truths, Part Two http://lamamarut.org/ The second of the Buddha’s fundamental teachings is that suffering is caused. If we can stop the causes for unhappiness which we ourselves are perpetuating, we can stop our pain. To do this, however, we must first learn to stop blaming others for our suffering and take responsibility for ourselves and learn the real causes for our unhappiness.

This podcast is taken from a series of teachings given at the Windhover Performing Arts Center in Cape Ann, Massachusetts, in August of 2007.

For complete audio teachings, please go to:

http://www.aci-la.org

and

http://www.lamamarut.org

]]> Fri, 04 Jan 2008 13:41:27 -0700 suffering-has-a-cause-the-four-arya-truths-part Lama Sumati Marut The second of the Buddha’s fundamental teachings is that suffering is caused. If we can stop the causes for unhappiness which we ourselves are perpetuating, we can stop our pain. To do this, however, we must first learn to stop blaming others for our s The second of the Buddha’s fundamental teachings is that suffering is caused. If we can stop the causes for unhappiness which we ourselves are perpetuating, we can stop our pain. To do this, however, we must first learn to stop blaming others for our suffering and take responsibility for ourselves and learn the real causes for our unhappiness. This podcast is taken from a series of teachings given at the Windhover Performing Arts Center in Cape Ann, Massachusetts, in August of 2007. For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org and http://www.lamamarut.org no 28:23 The Truth of Suffering: The Four Arya Truths Part One http://lamamarut.org/ The Buddha’s first teachings were organized around what are called the "Four Noble Truths." The first of these is "The Truth of Suffering.” By understanding, as the Buddha did, the truth of the suffering of birth, sickness, old age, and death, we can begin our attempt to get to the real causes of ultimate happiness and the end of suffering.

This podcast is taken from a series of teachings given at the Windhover Performing Arts Center in Cape Ann, Massachusetts, in August of 2007.

For complete audio teachings, please go to:

http://www.aci-la.org

and

http://www.lamamarut.org

]]> Mon, 31 Dec 2007 16:27:53 -0800 the-truth-of-suffering-the-four-arya-truths-part Lama Sumati Marut The Buddha’s first teachings were organized around what are called the "Four Noble Truths." The first of these is "The Truth of Suffering.” By understanding, as the Buddha did, the truth of the suffering of birth, sickness, old age, and death, we can The Buddha’s first teachings were organized around what are called the "Four Noble Truths." The first of these is "The Truth of Suffering.” By understanding, as the Buddha did, the truth of the suffering of birth, sickness, old age, and death, we can begin our attempt to get to the real causes of ultimate happiness and the end of suffering. This podcast is taken from a series of teachings given at the Windhover Performing Arts Center in Cape Ann, Massachusetts, in August of 2007. For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org and http://www.lamamarut.org no 26:54 Guided Meditation on the Emptiness of Problems and Feelings http://lamamarut.org/ This series of podcasts on the six “flavours” of emptiness concludes with a guided meditation on the feelings that arise when we think about our problems. These feelings are impermanent, out of our control in the present moment, not just random but caused by karma, empty of having the qualities we impute on them, exist only as interpretations, and ultimately are entirely projected from us due to how we have treated others in the past.

This podcast is taken from a retreat held over Thanksgiving weekend, 2006, in South Lake Tahoe, California.

For complete audio teachings, please go to:

http://www.aci-la.org

and

http://www.lamamarut.org

]]> Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:38:19 -0800 guided-meditation-on-the-emptiness-of-problems-and Lama Sumati Marut This series of podcasts on the six “flavours” of emptiness concludes with a guided meditation on the feelings that arise when we think about our problems. These feelings are impermanent, out of our control in the present moment, not just random but caused This series of podcasts on the six “flavours” of emptiness concludes with a guided meditation on the feelings that arise when we think about our problems. These feelings are impermanent, out of our control in the present moment, not just random but caused by karma, empty of having the qualities we impute on them, exist only as interpretations, and ultimately are entirely projected from us due to how we have treated others in the past. This podcast is taken from a retreat held over Thanksgiving weekend, 2006, in South Lake Tahoe, California. For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org and http://www.lamamarut.org no 25:17 Everything is Coming From Me, Not At Me: The Emptiness of Self-Existence http://lamamarut.org/ While the Buddha taught all the other of the lower worldviews we’ve reviewed in the past five podcasts, it is only the sixth and highest version of emptiness that is fully correct. The sixth “flavour” of emptiness is the contention that nothing is coming from “out there.” Everything is a projection or imputation coming from our minds, forced on us by how we have treated others in the past. And it is only this understanding of emptiness is that explains why our own Buddhahood and the transformation of our world into a paradise is really possible.

This podcast is taken from a retreat held over Thanksgiving weekend, 2006, in South Lake Tahoe, California.

For complete audio teachings, please go to:

http://www.aci-la.org

and

http://www.lamamarut.org

]]> Fri, 30 Nov 2007 17:20:35 -0800 everything-is-coming-from-me-not-at-me-the-empti Lama Sumati Marut While the Buddha taught all the other of the lower worldviews we’ve reviewed in the past five podcasts, it is only the sixth and highest version of emptiness that is fully correct. The sixth “flavour” of emptiness is the contention that nothing is coming While the Buddha taught all the other of the lower worldviews we’ve reviewed in the past five podcasts, it is only the sixth and highest version of emptiness that is fully correct. The sixth “flavour” of emptiness is the contention that nothing is coming from “out there.” Everything is a projection or imputation coming from our minds, forced on us by how we have treated others in the past. And it is only this understanding of emptiness is that explains why our own Buddhahood and the transformation of our world into a paradise is really possible. This podcast is taken from a retreat held over Thanksgiving weekend, 2006, in South Lake Tahoe, California. For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org and http://www.lamamarut.org no 21:25 Turning Problems into Opportunities: The Emptiness of Things Coming from Their Own Side http://lamamarut.org/ The fifth of the six flavours of emptiness argues that things are coming half from the object and half from the subject or perceiver. Lama Marut explains the benefits of cultivating this worldview in order to transform apparent problems into opportunities.

This podcast is taken from a retreat held over Thanksgiving weekend, 2006, in South Lake Tahoe, California.

For complete audio teachings, please go to:

http://www.aci-la.org

and

http://www.lamamarut.org

]]> Sat, 17 Nov 2007 13:15:37 -0800 turning-problems-into-opportunities-the-emptiness Lama Sumati Marut The fifth of the six flavours of emptiness argues that things are coming half from the object and half from the subject or perceiver. Lama Marut explains the benefits of cultivating this worldview in order to transform apparent problems into opportuniti The fifth of the six flavours of emptiness argues that things are coming half from the object and half from the subject or perceiver. Lama Marut explains the benefits of cultivating this worldview in order to transform apparent problems into opportunities. This podcast is taken from a retreat held over Thanksgiving weekend, 2006, in South Lake Tahoe, California. For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org and http://www.lamamarut.org no 17:03 Different Strokes for Different Folks: The Emptiness of Judgments http://lamamarut.org/ Lama Marut’s teachings on the mahamudra emptiness meditation continue with “worldview four” – things are empty of having the qualities we attribute to them from their own side. The judgments we make about things and people are coming from us, then projected onto those things and people, and then mistaken for qualities they inherently have. While this does not mean we shouldn’t judge others’ actions, we cannot legitimately go on to judge persons. Since we can never really know who another person is, we always have two unconfirmable possibilities: he or she is just an ordinary being, or that person is an enlightened angel sent to teach us. Which of these two possibilities would be more useful?

This podcast is taken from a retreat held over Thanksgiving weekend, 2006, in South Lake Tahoe, California.

For complete audio teachings, please go to:

http://www.aci-la.org

and

http://www.lamamarut.org

]]> Sat, 10 Nov 2007 10:38:07 -0800 different-strokes-for-different-folks-the-emptin Lama Sumati Marut Lama Marut’s teachings on the mahamudra emptiness meditation continue with “worldview four” – things are empty of having the qualities we attribute to them from their own side. The judgments we make about things and people are coming from us, then projec Lama Marut’s teachings on the mahamudra emptiness meditation continue with “worldview four” – things are empty of having the qualities we attribute to them from their own side. The judgments we make about things and people are coming from us, then projected onto those things and people, and then mistaken for qualities they inherently have. While this does not mean we shouldn’t judge others’ actions, we cannot legitimately go on to judge persons. Since we can never really know who another person is, we always have two unconfirmable possibilities: he or she is just an ordinary being, or that person is an enlightened angel sent to teach us. Which of these two possibilities would be more useful? This podcast is taken from a retreat held over Thanksgiving weekend, 2006, in South Lake Tahoe, California. For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org and http://www.lamamarut.org no 12:38 There Are No Accidents: The Emptiness of Randomness http://lamamarut.org/ Continuing his teachings on the different schools’ understanding of emptiness, Lama Marut turns now to “worldview three”: things are empty of coming from any other place than karmic causes. This view, put forward by the “Mind Only” school of Buddhism, states that the object and the subject mind perceiving the object both come from a single karmic cause. This flavor of emptiness helps us take responsibility for ourselves rather than relying on the “magical worldview” adopted by the modern, secular West which allows for things which just happen for no reason.

This podcast is taken from a retreat held over Thanksgiving weekend, 2006, in South Lake Tahoe, California.

For complete audio teachings, please go to:

http://www.aci-la.org

and

http://www.lamamarut.org

]]> Sun, 04 Nov 2007 11:30:28 -0700 there-are-no-accidents-the-emptiness-of-randomne Lama Sumati Marut Continuing his teachings on the different schools’ understanding of emptiness, Lama Marut turns now to “worldview three”: things are empty of coming from any other place than karmic causes. This view, put forward by the “Mind Only” school of Buddhism, Continuing his teachings on the different schools’ understanding of emptiness, Lama Marut turns now to “worldview three”: things are empty of coming from any other place than karmic causes. This view, put forward by the “Mind Only” school of Buddhism, states that the object and the subject mind perceiving the object both come from a single karmic cause. This flavor of emptiness helps us take responsibility for ourselves rather than relying on the “magical worldview” adopted by the modern, secular West which allows for things which just happen for no reason. This podcast is taken from a retreat held over Thanksgiving weekend, 2006, in South Lake Tahoe, California. For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org and http://www.lamamarut.org no 11:37 You Can't Change the Present: The Emptiness of a Controlling Self http://lamamarut.org/ In this second podcast on the topic of the various “flavors” of emptiness, Lama Marut covers the second level of understanding ultimate reality: Things are empty of having a “controlling self” or some kind of unchanging essence or self-nature. The example of an irritating person (who does not exist from his or her own side as an irritating person) is provided to prove that things are empty of having a “self” or essence but rather are empty in this way. A further implication of this is that we are empty of having a self that can control present things in the present. We must stop obsessing about things we can’t change in the present and always “garden” for future effects.

This podcast is taken from a retreat held over Thanksgiving weekend, 2006, in South Lake Tahoe, California.

For complete audio teachings, please go to:

http://www.aci-la.org

and

http://www.lamamarut.org

]]> Sun, 28 Oct 2007 10:13:01 -0700 the-ship-is-unmanned-the-emptiness-of-a-controlli Lama Sumati Marut In this second podcast on the topic of the various “flavors” of emptiness, Lama Marut covers the second level of understanding ultimate reality: Things are empty of having a “controlling self” or some kind of unchanging essence or self-nature. The examp In this second podcast on the topic of the various “flavors” of emptiness, Lama Marut covers the second level of understanding ultimate reality: Things are empty of having a “controlling self” or some kind of unchanging essence or self-nature. The example of an irritating person (who does not exist from his or her own side as an irritating person) is provided to prove that things are empty of having a “self” or essence but rather are empty in this way. A further implication of this is that we are empty of having a self that can control present things in the present. We must stop obsessing about things we can’t change in the present and always “garden” for future effects. This podcast is taken from a retreat held over Thanksgiving weekend, 2006, in South Lake Tahoe, California. For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org and http://www.lamamarut.org no 18:31 This Too Shall Pass: The Emptiness of Permanence http://lamamarut.org/ Understanding emptiness is crucial to our spiritual progress, but too often the topic is presented merely theoretically and in complex philosophical language. Lama Marut teaches the different “flavors” of emptiness according to the different schools of Buddhism in easily understandable language and in a way designed to employ this wisdom practically in one’s everyday life. In this first of seven podcasts on the subject, Lama Marut provides an overview and then guides a meditation on the first flavor: Things are empty of permanence.

This podcast is taken from a retreat held over Thanksgiving weekend, 2006, in South Lake Tahoe, California.

For complete audio teachings, please go to:

http://www.aci-la.org

and

http://www.lamamarut.org

]]> Sat, 20 Oct 2007 14:58:50 -0700 this-too-shall-pass-the-emptiness-of-permanence Lama Sumati Marut Understanding emptiness is crucial to our spiritual progress, but too often the topic is presented merely theoretically and in complex philosophical language. Lama Marut teaches the different “flavors” of emptiness according to the different schools of Understanding emptiness is crucial to our spiritual progress, but too often the topic is presented merely theoretically and in complex philosophical language. Lama Marut teaches the different “flavors” of emptiness according to the different schools of Buddhism in easily understandable language and in a way designed to employ this wisdom practically in one’s everyday life. In this first of seven podcasts on the subject, Lama Marut provides an overview and then guides a meditation on the first flavor: Things are empty of permanence. This podcast is taken from a retreat held over Thanksgiving weekend, 2006, in South Lake Tahoe, California. For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org and http://www.lamamarut.org no 16:06 Let’s Talk About Our Relationship http://lamamarut.org/ Karma comes in three forms: good, bad, and neutral. But even good karma, which we experience as something pleasurable, just wears out as we use it up. We lose every good thing we have unless we recreate the causes that brought us the pleasant experience in the first place. If we want to maintain a good relationship with our partner, for example, we must think about what we could do to make them happy (the real and only cause for that good relationship in the first place) instead of always being concerned about what they could be doing for us to fill our needs and wants.

This podcast is taken from a Diamond Mountain University course on “Karma Yoga in the Bhagavad Gita” taught in Tucson, Arizona, Oct. 9, 2007.

For complete audio teachings, please go to:

http://www.aci-la.org

and

http://www.lamamarut.org

]]> Sun, 14 Oct 2007 19:11:51 -0700 lets-talk-about-our-relationship Lama Sumati Marut Karma comes in three forms: good, bad, and neutral. But even good karma, which we experience as something pleasurable, just wears out as we use it up. We lose every good thing we have unless we recreate the causes that brought us the pleasant experienc Karma comes in three forms: good, bad, and neutral. But even good karma, which we experience as something pleasurable, just wears out as we use it up. We lose every good thing we have unless we recreate the causes that brought us the pleasant experience in the first place. If we want to maintain a good relationship with our partner, for example, we must think about what we could do to make them happy (the real and only cause for that good relationship in the first place) instead of always being concerned about what they could be doing for us to fill our needs and wants. This podcast is taken from a Diamond Mountain University course on “Karma Yoga in the Bhagavad Gita” taught in Tucson, Arizona, Oct. 9, 2007. For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org and http://www.lamamarut.org no 7:54 Desiring Happiness http://lamamarut.org/ We worship the things we desire. In this podcast, Lama Marut urges us to desire and worship happiness – to think of it as the highest goal and really strive to obtain it. For if we’re leading a happy life, we’re of benefit to others. If not, we’re a charity case. To achieve true happiness we must let go of our attachment to a lower, suffering self and desire “ecstasy,” which means to “stand outside” of our old caterpillar selves and become the butterflies we are meant to be.

This podcast is taken from a Diamond Mountain University course on “Killing Anger” taught in Tucson, Arizona, in the spring of 2007.

For complete audio teachings, please go to:

http://www.aci-la.org

and

http://www.lamamarut.org

]]> Sat, 06 Oct 2007 21:00:09 -0700 desiring-happiness Lama Sumati Marut We worship the things we desire. In this podcast, Lama Marut urges us to desire and worship happiness – to think of it as the highest goal and really strive to obtain it. For if we’re leading a happy life, we’re of benefit to others. If not, we’re a c We worship the things we desire. In this podcast, Lama Marut urges us to desire and worship happiness – to think of it as the highest goal and really strive to obtain it. For if we’re leading a happy life, we’re of benefit to others. If not, we’re a charity case. To achieve true happiness we must let go of our attachment to a lower, suffering self and desire “ecstasy,” which means to “stand outside” of our old caterpillar selves and become the butterflies we are meant to be. This podcast is taken from a Diamond Mountain University course on “Killing Anger” taught in Tucson, Arizona, in the spring of 2007. For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org and http://www.lamamarut.org no 19:27 Reaching the Lord http://lamamarut.org/ In this podcast, Lama Marut concludes His teachings on devotion (bhakti) in the Bhagavad Gita. We must ‘see beyond mere appearances’ and use our best understanding of emptiness to stay firm in our view of who the Guru really is for us. Through this practice, the first stage is that our Guru appears to us as perfect, an enlightened being, and through single-minded yoga they begin to appear to us everywhere and in all beings. The second stage is that we are yoked to, or merge with that being such that we become perfect ourselves. This is considered one of the most supreme esoteric teachings; the one who performs the highest devotion will reach the Lord.

This podcast is taken from a teaching given in South Lake Tahoe, on the 31st of August, 2007

]]> Sun, 30 Sep 2007 22:19:38 -0700 reaching-the-lord Lama Sumati Marut In this podcast, Lama Marut concludes His teachings on devotion (bhakti) in the Bhagavad Gita. We must ‘see beyond mere appearances’ and use our best understanding of emptiness to stay firm in our view of who the Guru really is for us. Through this prac In this podcast, Lama Marut concludes His teachings on devotion (bhakti) in the Bhagavad Gita. We must ‘see beyond mere appearances’ and use our best understanding of emptiness to stay firm in our view of who the Guru really is for us. Through this practice, the first stage is that our Guru appears to us as perfect, an enlightened being, and through single-minded yoga they begin to appear to us everywhere and in all beings. The second stage is that we are yoked to, or merge with that being such that we become perfect ourselves. This is considered one of the most supreme esoteric teachings; the one who performs the highest devotion will reach the Lord. This podcast is taken from a teaching given in South Lake Tahoe, on the 31st of August, 2007 no Riding the Tiger http://lamamarut.org/ Once one has taken oneself to a spiritual teacher, there will certainly be challenges and difficulties. In this continuation of “guru yoga” according to the Bhagavad Gita, Lama Marut reviews some of the main problems one often faces in working with a spiritual teacher and the benefits that come if one perseveres in “riding the tiger.” At a certain point the guru will reveal themselves to you, just as Krishna does to Arjuna in the climax of the Gita.

This podcast is taken from the Tibetan Heart Yoga, Series V, Teacher Training Course given at Tucson, Arizona, in September of 2007.

For complete audio teachings, please go to:

http://www.aci-la.org

and

http://www.lamamarut.org

]]> Mon, 24 Sep 2007 01:01:22 -0700 riding-the-tiger Lama Sumati Marut Once one has taken oneself to a spiritual teacher, there will certainly be challenges and difficulties. In this continuation of “guru yoga” according to the Bhagavad Gita, Lama Marut reviews some of the main problems one often faces in working with a sp Once one has taken oneself to a spiritual teacher, there will certainly be challenges and difficulties. In this continuation of “guru yoga” according to the Bhagavad Gita, Lama Marut reviews some of the main problems one often faces in working with a spiritual teacher and the benefits that come if one perseveres in “riding the tiger.” At a certain point the guru will reveal themselves to you, just as Krishna does to Arjuna in the climax of the Gita. This podcast is taken from the Tibetan Heart Yoga, Series V, Teacher Training Course given at Tucson, Arizona, in September of 2006. no 20:40 Surrendering to the Teacher http://lamamarut.org/ In this podcast, Lama Marut examines the Bhagavad Gita’s verses on single-minded devotion to the Guru. The devotional tradition discusses various methods such as developing faith, discipline and making offerings as ways in which we may lose our ‘small self’ in service to the teacher. In surrendering to the Guru, we are surrendering to the highest part of ourselves. Essentially we try to perfect ourselves by fixing the mind and intellect singularly on the perfection of another.

This podcast is taken from a teaching given in South Lake Tahoe, on the 31st of August, 2007

]]> Wed, 19 Sep 2007 23:04:19 -0700 surrendering-to-the-teacher Lama Sumati Marut In this podcast, Lama Marut examines the Bhagavad Gita’s verses on single-minded devotion to the Guru. The devotional tradition discusses various methods such as developing faith, discipline and making offerings as ways in which we may lose our ‘small se In this podcast, Lama Marut examines the Bhagavad Gita’s verses on single-minded devotion to the Guru. The devotional tradition discusses various methods such as developing faith, discipline and making offerings as ways in which we may lose our ‘small self’ in service to the teacher. In surrendering to the Guru, we are surrendering to the highest part of ourselves. Essentially we try to perfect ourselves by fixing the mind and intellect singularly on the perfection of another. This podcast is taken from a teaching given in South Lake Tahoe, on the 31st of August, 2007 no 19:43 The Yoga of Devotion http://lamamarut.org/ In the Bhagavad Gita, the yoga of devotion to your teacher (bhakti yoga) is considered the highest spiritual practice. This podcast examines who the Guru really is and the most beneficial way we can regard this special being in our lives. Because the Guru is "empty" we can usefully see him or her as being a full enlightened being who has come to help us directly on our path. Lama Marut asks, "If you can then expand that view to all beings in your world, what kind of being would that make you?"

This podcast is taken from a teaching given in South Lake Tahoe, on the 31st of August, 2007

]]> Mon, 10 Sep 2007 06:58:47 -0700 the-yoga-of-devotion Lama Sumati Marut In the Bhagavad Gita, the yoga of devotion to your teacher (bhakti yoga) is considered the highest spiritual practice. This podcast examines who the Guru really is and the most beneficial way we can regard this special being in our lives. Because the In the Bhagavad Gita, the yoga of devotion to your teacher (bhakti yoga) is considered the highest spiritual practice. This podcast examines who the Guru really is and the most beneficial way we can regard this special being in our lives. Because the Guru is "empty" we can usefully see him or her as being a full enlightened being who has come to help us directly on our path. Lama Marut asks, "If you can then expand that view to all beings in your world, what kind of being would that make you?" This podcast is taken from a teaching given in South Lake Tahoe, on the 31st of August, 2007 no 12:49 The Magic of Empty Teachers http://lamamarut.org/ The guru is empty, a projection or mirror of your own good qualities. In order to perfect oneself, one must first practice seeing perfection in another – in the first place, in the guru, and eventually in every other being.

This podcast is taken from a teaching given to a small group in Kinvara, Ireland, on
June 14, 2006.

For complete audio teachings, please go to:

http://www.aci-la.org

and

http://www.lamamarut.org

]]> Sun, 02 Sep 2007 03:18:58 -0700 the-magic-of-empty-teachers Lama Sumati Marut The guru is empty, a projection or mirror of your own good qualities. In order to perfect oneself, one must first practice seeing perfection in another – in the first place, in the guru, and eventually in every other being. The guru is empty, a projection or mirror of your own good qualities. In order to perfect oneself, one must first practice seeing perfection in another – in the first place, in the guru, and eventually in every other being. This podcast is taken from a teaching given to a small group in Kinvara, Ireland, on June 14, 2006. For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org and http://www.lamamarut.org no 12:25 The Qualities of a Good Guru http://lamamarut.org/ In the Buddhist texts, a number of qualities one should look for in guru or spiritual teacher are enumerated. Before taking a guru, one should check to see if you see some or all of these qualities in a potential teacher. And once we have found a being that we see in this special way, we must learn how to think about him or her in the proper way – as nothing less than a full-fledged Buddha who has come into your life.

This podcast is taken from a teaching given to a small group in Kinvara, Ireland, on
June 14, 2006.

For complete audio teachings, please go to:

http://www.aci-la.org

and

http://www.lamamarut.org

]]> Mon, 27 Aug 2007 02:03:20 -0700 the-qualities-of-a-good-guru Lama Sumati Marut In the Buddhist texts, a number of qualities one should look for in guru or spiritual teacher are enumerated. Before taking a guru, one should check to see if you see some or all of these qualities in a potential teacher. And once we have found a bei In the Buddhist texts, a number of qualities one should look for in guru or spiritual teacher are enumerated. Before taking a guru, one should check to see if you see some or all of these qualities in a potential teacher. And once we have found a being that we see in this special way, we must learn how to think about him or her in the proper way – as nothing less than a full-fledged Buddha who has come into your life. This podcast is taken from a teaching given to a small group in Kinvara, Ireland, on June 14, 2006. For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org and http://www.lamamarut.org no 21:19 Taking Yourself to a Teacher http://lamamarut.org/ In this survey of the teachings in the Bhagavad Gita on the importance of the spiritual teacher (guru yoga), we learn the necessity of and the prerequisites for finding and taking yourself to the guru and thus beginning the process of one’s spiritual education.

This podcast is taken from the Tibetan Heart Yoga, Series V, Teacher Training Course given at Tucson, Arizona, in September of 2006.

For complete audio teachings, please go to:

http://www.aci-la.org

and

http://www.lamamarut.org

]]> Wed, 22 Aug 2007 07:25:45 -0700 taking-yourself-to-a-teacher Lama Sumati Marut In this survey of the teachings in the Bhagavad Gita on the importance of the spiritual teacher (guru yoga), we learn the necessity of and the prerequisites for finding and taking yourself to the guru and thus beginning the process of one’s spiritual edu In this survey of the teachings in the Bhagavad Gita on the importance of the spiritual teacher (guru yoga), we learn the necessity of and the prerequisites for finding and taking yourself to the guru and thus beginning the process of one’s spiritual education. This podcast is taken from the Tibetan Heart Yoga, Series V, Teacher Training Course given at Tucson, Arizona, in September of 2006. For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org and http://www.lamamarut.org no 30:53 Guru Yoga: The Alpha and Omega of the Path http://lamamarut.org/ Linking or joining yourself to a guru or spiritual teacher is the beginning (“alpha”), middle, and end (“omega”) of the path to happiness and enlightenment. The first step is appreciating how important the guru is for us and being grateful for the teachers that have been and are in our lives already. But even more crucial is understanding where the guru is really coming from. Gurus don’t exist “out there” in the world as gurus. They are projections coming from the best part of us. Gurus, like everything else, are empty.

This podcast is taken from a teaching given to a small group in Kinvara, Ireland, on
June 14, 2006.

For complete audio teachings, please go to:

http://www.aci-la.org

and

http://www.lamamarut.org

]]> Sat, 18 Aug 2007 17:17:37 -0700 guru-yoga-the-alpha-and-omega-of-the-path Lama Sumati Marut Linking or joining yourself to a guru or spiritual teacher is the beginning (“alpha”), middle, and end (“omega”) of the path to happiness and enlightenment. The first step is appreciating how important the guru is for us and being grateful for the teache Linking or joining yourself to a guru or spiritual teacher is the beginning (“alpha”), middle, and end (“omega”) of the path to happiness and enlightenment. The first step is appreciating how important the guru is for us and being grateful for the teachers that have been and are in our lives already. But even more crucial is understanding where the guru is really coming from. Gurus don’t exist “out there” in the world as gurus. They are projections coming from the best part of us. Gurus, like everything else, are empty. This podcast is taken from a teaching given to a small group in Kinvara, Ireland, on June 14, 2006. For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org and http://www.lamamarut.org no 23:43 Be Here, Now http://lamamarut.org/ We often hear how important it is to live in the present in order to be happy. But what are the actual methods for doing this? Paradoxically, we are not in the present when we are overly self-conscious and we are fully present only when we wholly forget and lose ourselves in an activity. So in order to live in the here and now we must transcend the sense of self that keeps us from being truly present. In Buddhism, we do this through cultivating wisdom (realizing selflessness) and compassion (learning to care more about others than oneself).

This podcast is taken from a teaching given at Santa Monica, California, on April 25, 2007.

For complete audio teachings, please go to:

http://www.aci-la.org

and

http://www.lamamarut.org

]]> Mon, 13 Aug 2007 11:19:19 -0700 be-here-now Lama Sumati Marut We often hear how important it is to live in the present in order to be happy. But what are the actual methods for doing this? Paradoxically, we are not in the present when we are overly self-conscious and we are fully present only when we wholly forget We often hear how important it is to live in the present in order to be happy. But what are the actual methods for doing this? Paradoxically, we are not in the present when we are overly self-conscious and we are fully present only when we wholly forget and lose ourselves in an activity. So in order to live in the here and now we must transcend the sense of self that keeps us from being truly present. In Buddhism, we do this through cultivating wisdom (realizing selflessness) and compassion (learning to care more about others than oneself). This podcast is taken from a teaching given at Santa Monica, California, on April 25, 2007. For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org and http://www.lamamarut.org no 30:41 Karmic Correlations http://lamamarut.org/ This podcast is a continuation of a review of the “rules for the good life” and how we can have trust and confidence in our future – and thereby live a happier present -- by attending to the present causes which bring subsequent effects.
The “karmic correlations” between causes and effects according to Arya Nagarjuna’s “Precious Garland” which link specific moral actions to their results are delineated one by one. Learn where money, health, addictive behavior, beauty, stress, etc. really come from!

This podcast is taken from a teaching given at Tucson, Arizona, on January 7, 2007.

For complete audio teachings, please go to:

http://www.aci-la.org

and

http://www.lamamarut.org

]]> Wed, 01 Aug 2007 16:53:21 -0700 karmic-correlations Lama Sumati Marut This podcast is a continuation of a review of the “rules for the good life” and how we can have trust and confidence in our future – and thereby live a happier present -- by attending to the present causes which bring subsequent effects. This podcast is a continuation of a review of the “rules for the good life” and how we can have trust and confidence in our future – and thereby live a happier present -- by attending to the present causes which bring subsequent effects. The “karmic correlations” between causes and effects according to Arya Nagarjuna’s “Precious Garland” which link specific moral actions to their results are delineated one by one. Learn where money, health, addictive behavior, beauty, stress, etc. really come from! This podcast is taken from a teaching given at Tucson, Arizona, on January 7, 2007. For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org and http://www.lamamarut.org no 29:28 Faith in the Future, Part 3: The Rules for the Good Life. http://lamamarut.org/ The present is a perfect reflection of how we’ve behaved in the past, and our future will be the exact result of the causes we are creating in the present. In this podcast, Lama Marut reviews the “rules for the good life,’ the moral principles which can guide us in how to live in the present in such as way that we can have confidence in and control of our future.

This podcast is taken from a teaching given at Rockport, Massachusetts, on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2007.

For complete audio teachings, please go to:

http://www.aci-la.org

and

http://www.lamamarut.org

]]> Sat, 30 Jun 2007 20:56:14 -0700 faith-in-the-future-part-3-the-rules-for-the-go Lama Sumati Marut The present is a perfect reflection of how we’ve behaved in the past, and our future will be the exact result of the causes we are creating in the present. In this podcast, Lama Marut reviews the “rules for the good life,’ the moral principles which can The present is a perfect reflection of how we’ve behaved in the past, and our future will be the exact result of the causes we are creating in the present. In this podcast, Lama Marut reviews the “rules for the good life,’ the moral principles which can guide us in how to live in the present in such as way that we can have confidence in and control of our future. This podcast is taken from a teaching given at Rockport, Massachusetts, on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2007. For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org and http://www.lamamarut.org no Faith in the Future, Part 2 http://lamamarut.org/ Many religions urge us to develop faith in the future in order to live a happier life in the present. The opposite of faith is lazy doubt or irresolution about how life is working – which then results in anxiety. If we think about how things are really working and develop faith slowly, in stages, we will then be more conscientious about living a good life in the present and will then have certainty that our future will be just fine.

This podcast is taken from a teaching given at a public talk in Los Angeles, California, on December 11, 2006.

For complete audio teachings, please go to:

http://www.aci-la.org

and

http://www.lamamarut.org

]]> Thu, 28 Jun 2007 15:16:37 -0700 faith-in-the-future-part-2 Lama Sumati Marut Many religions urge us to develop faith in the future in order to live a happier life in the present. The opposite of faith is lazy doubt or irresolution about how life is working – which then results in anxiety. If we think about how things are reall Many religions urge us to develop faith in the future in order to live a happier life in the present. The opposite of faith is lazy doubt or irresolution about how life is working – which then results in anxiety. If we think about how things are really working and develop faith slowly, in stages, we will then be more conscientious about living a good life in the present and will then have certainty that our future will be just fine. This podcast is taken from a teaching given at a public talk in Los Angeles, California, on December 11, 2006. For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org and http://www.lamamarut.org no Faith in the Future, Part 1 http://lamamarut.org/ Being happy in the present requires both that we revision our past (through forgiveness and gratitude) and that we overcome our anxieties about the future. In this podcast, Lama Marut urges us to stop imagining a nightmarish future and instead develop the antidote for anxiety: faith, trust, and confidence in the future. Grounding the teaching in verses from Arya Nagarjuna’s “Precious Garland,” we learn to rely on our practice and wisdom to gain control over our future by living a good moral life in the present.

This podcast is taken from a teaching given at a public talk in Los Angeles, California, on December 11, 2006.

For complete audio teachings, please go to:

http://www.aci-la.org

and

http://www.lamamarut.org

]]> Sun, 24 Jun 2007 22:26:45 -0700 faith-in-the-future-part-1 Lama Sumati Marut Being happy in the present requires both that we revision our past (through forgiveness and gratitude) and that we overcome our anxieties about the future. In this podcast, Lama Marut urges us to stop imagining a nightmarish future and instead develop Being happy in the present requires both that we revision our past (through forgiveness and gratitude) and that we overcome our anxieties about the future. In this podcast, Lama Marut urges us to stop imagining a nightmarish future and instead develop the antidote for anxiety: faith, trust, and confidence in the future. Grounding the teaching in verses from Arya Nagarjuna’s “Precious Garland,” we learn to rely on our practice and wisdom to gain control over our future by living a good moral life in the present. This podcast is taken from a teaching given at a public talk in Los Angeles, California, on December 11, 2006. For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org and http://www.lamamarut.org no 25:42 Wisdom and Forgiveness http://lamamarut.org/ Forgiveness helps us generate gratitude, love, and compassion toward others – and vice versa. If we can understand how much suffering others are going through we can gain a different perspective on why they would hurt us. If we can generate wisdom about what the real cause of pain in the world is – anger itself – then why would we ever feel anger ourselves? We must break the cycle and give up anger and resentment, practice forgiveness, and only wish happiness on others if we want to be happy ourselves.

This podcast is taken from a teaching given at a public talk in Tucson, Arizona, on November 15, 2006.

For complete audio teachings, please go to:

http://www.aci-la.org

and

http://www.lamamarut.org

]]> Fri, 15 Jun 2007 22:52:37 -0700 wisdom-and-forgiveness Lama Sumati Marut Forgiveness helps us generate gratitude, love, and compassion toward others – and vice versa. If we can understand how much suffering others are going through we can gain a different perspective on why they would hurt us. Forgiveness helps us generate gratitude, love, and compassion toward others – and vice versa. If we can understand how much suffering others are going through we can gain a different perspective on why they would hurt us. If we can generate wisdom about what the real cause of pain in the world is – anger itself – then why would we ever feel anger ourselves? We must break the cycle and give up anger and resentment, practice forgiveness, and only wish happiness on others if we want to be happy ourselves. This podcast is taken from a teaching given at a public talk in Tucson, Arizona, on November 15, 2006. For complete audio teachings, please go to: http://www.aci-la.org and http://www.lamamarut.org no 20:08 Forgiveness and the Advantages of Suffering http://lamamarut.org/ How can we cultivate forbearance, patience, and forgiveness in our daily lives? One way to do so is to think about the advantages of suffering and be grateful for everything that has ever happened, very much including all the pain others have caused you.

This podcast is taken from a teaching given at a public talk in Tucson, Arizona, on November 15, 2006.

For complete audio teachings, please go to:

http://www.aci-la.org

and

http://www.lamamarut.org

]]> Sun, 10 Jun 2007 00:31:59 -0700 forgiveness-and-the-advantages-of-suffering Lama Sumati M