This week we continue our 'Numerical Series' with part 2 of  The Four Immeasurables:   Love, Compassion, Joy and Equinimity.

May all beings enjoy happiness and the root of happiness.
May they be free from suffering and the root of suffering.
May they not be separated from the great happiness devoid of suffering.
May they dwell in the great equanimity free from passion, aggression and prejudice.

This is a subject often talked about by Pema Chodron and has showed up in a number of her books such as The Places That Scare You, A Noble Heart and From Fear To Fearlessness.

This week we take the Four Immeasurables to the cushion and learn a practice.

[audio:http://media.libsyn.com/media/buddhist/EUP_50_-_The_Four_Immeasurables_Part_1.mp3]

This week we continue our 'Numerical Series' by talking about The Four Immeasurables:   Love, Compassion, Joy and Equinimity.  I talk about a little card I keep in top of my wallet that has the words from The Four Immeasurables Practice which says:

May all beings enjoy happiness and the root of happiness.
May they be free from suffering and the root of suffering.
May they not be separated from the great happiness devoid of suffering.
May they dwell in the great equanimity free from passion, aggression and prejudice.

This is a subject often talked about by Pema Chodron and has showed up in a number of her books such as The Places That Scare You, A Noble Heart and From Fear To Fearlessness.

Next this week we talk about the meaning of The Four Immeasurables and next week we'll learn a meditation practice to go with it.

It's my last podcast for 2008 and we're closing it out with a talk about the five skandhas.  The five skandhas help us understand how a thought forms by really breaking it down.  We break down thinking of a table, a Christmas tree and a slice of pizza.  Can you have more fun than that on New Years Eve?

This week was very interesting.  On the site poll, I asked folks to tell me topics that they would like me to discuss on the podcast.  One listener posted the following:

Perhaps a boring subject, but being fairly new to the Buddhism, I am continually asked by well-meaning family and friends a seemingly endless array of questions concerning my dietary changes. I've adopted an almost vegan lifestyle and sometimes struggle with - what can I really eat that truly does not harm animals. So being a vegetarian and to what extent it is necessary to adopt the vegan lifestyle.

"Vegetarianism" I thought.  "What a great subject!"  So I decided to cover that when low and behold a post from Daily Buddhism covered the exact same subject.  So, this podcast is a little late basically because I didn't want to appear to be stealing anything from Daily Buddhism.  By the way, Daily Buddhism is a great daily Q&A blog that sums each week up in a podcast.  Be sure to check them out!

So on this podcast we address Vegetarianism/Veganism and Buddhism.  Do you have to be a Vegetarian/Vegan to be a Buddhist?  We talked in Episode 40 about what Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse says in his book 'What Makes You NOT A Buddhist" actually makes you a Buddhist.  Is Vegetarianism one?

We talk about why some sects seem to put more emphasis on vegetarianism than others.  In addition, I try to dive deeper into why a Buddhist might want to be a vegetarian and expand on those issues to see where else they come into play.

I'm back after taking the month of November off!  Where have I been?  I took on the challenge of National Novel Writing Month and National Podcast Post Month, and successfully completed both.

But that's not why we're here!  This week on the Enlighten Up Podcast we take a look at the concept of Ambition.  The spark for this podcast sprang up from a comment Gwen and Patrick made on the Zen Is Stupid podcast that I was listening to this past weekend.

Also, I'm taking a little survery to learn a) a little bit more about the meditation habits of the folks who read the blog or listen to the podcast b) to give you guys an opportunity to tell me what topics you would like me to talk about on the show.  So if you got about a minute (it probably won't even take that long) click here and let me know a little bit about your practice and ideas for the show.I'm back after taking the month of November off!  Where have I been?  I took on the challenge of National Novel Writing Month and National Podcast Post Month, and successfully completed both.

But that's not why we're here!  This week on the Enlighten Up Podcast we take a look at the concept of Ambition.  The spark for this podcast sprang up from a comment Gwen and Patrick made on the <a href="http://zenisstupid.com/">Zen Is Stupid</a> podcast that I was listening to this past weekend.

Also, I'm taking a little survery to learn a) a little bit more about the meditation habits of the folks who read the blog or listen to the podcast b) to give you guys an opportunity to tell me what topics you would like me to talk about on the show.  So if you got about a minute (it probably won't even take that long) click here and let me know a little bit about your practice and ideas for the show.

This weeks talks takes quite a few twists and turns.  I start out talking about whether one can be on Bodhisattva path, striving to gain enlightenment for the benefit of others, without attachment.  We meander into skepticism in Buddhism and end up in the translation process of Buddhist texts.

And the answer to the question?  You'll just have to listen to find out!

This week, we are talking about the Eight Verses of Mind Training.  This is a teaching that was written by Geshe Langri Tangpa (1054-1123) He was the student of Geshe Potowa, who was one of the principal disciples of Atisha.   If you would like to know more about Geshe Langri Tangpa you can read more here.

By thinking of all sentient beings

As even better than the wish-granting gem,

For accomplishing the highest aim,

May I always consider them precious.

Wherever I go, with whomever I go,

May I see myself as less than all others,

And from the depth of my heart

May I consider them supremely precious.

May I examine my mind in all actions

And as soon as a negative state occurs,

Since it endangers myself and others,

May I firmly face and avert it.

When I see beings of a negative disposition

Or those opposed by negativity or pain,

May I, as if finding a treasure, consider them precious,

For they are rarely met.

When others, due to their jealousy,

Revile and treat me in unjust ways,

May I accept this defeat myself,

And offer the victory to others.

When someone whom I have helped,

Or in whom I have placed great hope

Harms me with great injustice,

May I see that one as a sacred friend.

In short, may I offer, both directly and indirectly,

All joy and benefit to all beings, my mothers,

And may I myself secretly

Take on all their hurt and suffering

.

May they not be defiled

By the concepts of the eight mundane concerns,

And aware that all things are illusory,

May they, ungrasping, be free from bondage.

For a more detailed explanation of emptiness (here, illusion) we have covered it some previous podcasts 10, 11 and 12. 

I have had a hell of a time getting this podcast out.  I recorded it and somehow the file was corrupt so I had to redo it.

What we are talking about this week is the balance between study and practice on the Buddhist path.  We reference the Refuge Vows from Episode 33 as well as Tonglen practice.  We talked about Tonglen here, here and here.  It's also discussed in a couple of other places too.  Just search for Tonglen using the search tool for more info.

This week, I take the podcast tagline (Classic Buddhist Themes for the 21st Century) quite literally as we examine the meaning behind an ancient Buddhist chant, 'The Four Dharmas of Gampopa'.  The chant goes like this:

Grant your blessings so that my mind may be one with the Dharma.

Grant your blessings so that Dharma may progress along the path.

Grant your blessings so that the path may clairfy confusion.

Grant your blessings so that confusion may dawn as wisdom.

First, we have a little history lesson.  We talk about who Gampopa was and his relationship to Milarepa and the Kagyu teachings.

This little chant leads us all the way from the start of the path to the fruition of the journey.

In our discussions, we mention the previous podcasts on The Four Reminders.

This week on the podcast we actually talk about how to meditate.  While I still say that going to a meditation center for formal instruction is the best thing, I have come to realize that this isn't always possible, so we go through exactly what you need, how to do it and how to deal with some common problems.

In the podcast, we talk about cushions so here is a picture of my cushion and zafu.  The technical term for the large cushion is a zabutan, although I just got this out of a pillow bin at Garden Ridge and it works better than any true zabutan I have used.

I got the black zafu from The Monastery Store and it is somewhat unique.  Most Zafus are filled with either kapok or buckwheat hulls.  This one is half filled with the buckwheat hulls and the other half is viscoelastic memory foam, like those temperpedic mattresses.  Unless you have a really bad back, or just like the extra cushion, either kapok or buckwheat should be fine.

Another good source for zafus, zabutans and gomdens is Samadhi Cushions.  My other zafu that isn't pictured is from there.

We talk about sitting posture which is easier to understand if you see it, so here is a picture of it.

In addition, we talk about what to do when discomfort sets in.  Simply raise one or both legs so the feet are on the floor and adjust while continuing to watch the breath.

If you have any questions or problems, please email me at lans@enlighten-up.org or leave a comment on the web site, enlighten-up.org.

What a week it's been.  I spent about 3 days trying to a repair the rss feed so that all the listeners using podcatchers would get the feed.  In addition, if you check out the blog site, you'll see that there has been a little bit of redesign.  Check it out and tell me what you thing.

This week, we are talking about something that is unique to Buddhism, the fact that no faith is required.  We talk about in what ways this is relevant to our path.

So if we aren't required to believe in anything, what exactly makes a Buddhist?  For a classic answer, we hear from Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse's wonderful book "What makes you NOT a Buddhist".

We also mention Gwen Bell from the Zen Is Stupid podcast as an example of someone who follows the Buddhist path without identifying herself as a Buddhist.

We are back after a few months off! 

This time we're talking about remembering.  What do a statue of the Buddha, bowing, pictures and paintings and meditation practice have in common?  They all help us remember.

We also mention the Four Reminders, which I talked about in a previous podcast as well as Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche's wonderful commentary on it 'Turning Towards Liberation'. 

Special thanks to my wife Chris for adding the extra vocal talent to this episode.

On this episode of the podcast, we are all over the place. Jimmy from SA wrote a couple of great questions which I attempt to tackle.

The first is dealing with differences in who we are and what we perceive the dharma says we should be. Is humor with questionable themes against the teachings? How about combat sports? Poop?

Then we talk about chanting. What it is, why we do it and how prevelant it is in a modern sangha. We also look at a few situations where spontaneous chanting is useful.

Some of the chants discussed:

• The Heart Sutra (The Sutra of the Heart of Transcendent Knowledge)
• 'Om Mani Padme Hung' (Compassion Mantra)
• Supplication to the Takpo Kagyus

We also discuss the practice of tonglen.

In addition, it's that time of year again: Podcamp San Antonio Numero Dos. I play the San Antonio City Cynic's promotional rap song for the event. It's a hoot! For more information about Podcamp San Antonio II, just click here or here.

On this episode of the podcast, we talk about anger and how to deal with it.

I'm finally back after a bit of an unintentional hiatus, which we review in the podcast. The highlight of which is that I was recording podcasts for the Shambhala Meditation Center of San Antonio.

Today's podcast was inspired by something that Shawno from the HyperNonsense podcast when he said, "I denounce your reality and replace it with my own."

We take a look at your reality, my reality, and everyone elses reality. And yes, we spend some time denouncing them. It really quite fun!

We're back!  After a full schedule of National Podcast Post Month I took a couple of weeks off to relax a little but it is definitely time for another podcast!

This time talk about Finding Happiness, and how this relates to ego.  Do we find happiness, create it, or is there some third option?

We also have added a comment line at 206-350-4860 so feel free to call with comments, questions or thoughts.

After having my daughter, Taylor, in the past  couple of episodes, I got some email asking me about how to introduce kids to Buddhism, so this week, I talk about how my kids got introduced to the Buddhist path, how they reacted to it and then a couple of books that have been beneficial on Taylors path.

Books for teens:

Buddha In Your Backpack by Franz Metcalf
Blue Jean Buddha by Sumi Loundon and Jack Kornfield

Unfortunately, the series of books for young children that I mentioned 'Jakarta Tales', I can't seem to find in print on the internet.  This was a series of books that was in the library at our local center.  They are paper back, 8.5 X 11, and there was a book for each folk tale.  If anyone out there knows where to get these, please pass it on.

This week I have my co-host, Taylor again!  We talk about our experience at the mala making class at the Shambhala Center as well as what malas are. 

Since malas are used for counting mantras, we talk about the Compassion Mantra, 'Om Mani Padme Hum' and what it means.

This week we take a twist and have the first ever interview on the Enlighten Up Podcast!  So this week I talk to my daughter Taylor, age 14.  She's been practicing meditation and studying Buddhism for about 3 years now.  We talk about her first experience at a meditation center, how she learned to meditate, what Buddhism means to her and a couple of other fun things. 

We had a blast and I think she's going to join me on our next podcast as well.

After a short break, we are back!  This week we're talking about meditation off the cushion.  Driving meditation and meditating while washing dishes.  We explore the concept that any activity allows us a platform for meditation practice.

We are sending a great big Get Well Soon to Michael De Leon of the Spurscast!  He's just gotten out of the hospital and is on the mend.  Hope to see ya soon, Mike!

Today I depart slightly from the use of completely classic Buddhist teachings to discuss the taking of life.  When or is it ever justice?  How do we separate justice from revenge?  How do concepts like justice and revenge effect karma? 

If you frequent the Enlighten Up Blog I have had a few friends and family pass away in the last year.  This has left me in a pretty groundless place, so what  better topic than groundlessness.  From a Buddhist perspective, groundlessness is not a bad thing.  Take a listen and find out why.

This weeks podcast is about impermanence.  We explore how our lives pass by like a movie, but everything is made of small moments that are never the same as the previous or the future.

In this episode, I talk about the classic Buddhist teaching of 'The Four Reminders'.  This teaching is to help remind us why we meditate and why it should be with such urgency.

The Tibetan commentary we use is from the 9th Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje from "The Chariot For Traveling The Noble Path", in which he says:

First, contemplate the preciousness of being free and well favored. This is difficult to gain and easy to lose. Now I must do something meaningful.

Second, the whole world and it's inhabitants are impermanent. In particular, the life of beings is like a bubble. Death comes without warning. This body will be a corpse. At that time, the dharma will be my only help. I must practice it with exertion.

Third, when death comes, I will be helpless. Because I create karma, I must abandon evil deeds and always devote my time to virtuous actions. Thinking this, every day I will examine myself.

Fourth, the homes, friends wealth and comforts of samsara are the constant torment of the three sufferings, just like a feast before the executioner leads you to your death. I must cut desire and attachment and attain enlightenment through exertion

I discuss what is being said here from two different perspectives.  The first is somewhat of a bridge between the Eastern and Western.  In the second, I try to explain this from a completely Western perspective.

If you want to read more, there is a wonderful, pocket sized book on the subject called Turning Toward Liberation:  The Four Reminders by The Dzochen Ponlop Rinpoche

Today we examine Mindfulness, which in this context is noticing and paying attention to what is going on in our own minds.  We talk about the commentary that inevitably arises from this when we begin to categorize our thoughts as good or bad, etc... 

Finally we talk about Maitri,  which is often translated as 'unconditional friendliness'.  However we look at it from Chogyam Trungpa, Rinpoche's translation of 'unconditional friendliness to one's self'.  This is also the translation that is used by Pema Chodron.  We discuss how to effectively use this when looking at the darker places in our minds without using it as an excuse for negative patterns.

Comments and questions can be addressed to any of the following:

1. lans@enlighten-up.org
2. Leave comments on the podcast sight (where you are right now)
3. The comment line (206) 200-LANS (5267)

So feel free to contact me with any questions, comments or suggestions.

This week we take our talk of Compassion from last week to the next level and talk about Forgiveness.  Not how do we get people to forgive us, or how we forgive other people, but how can we use our feelings and emotions about forgiveness to further our practice. 

We ask the question "Is forgiveness really necessary for a Buddhist?" 

On this episode of the podcast, I talk about Compassion and how to generate it within ourselves.  I give a short practice to help with this.  In addition, I talk about the opposite of Compassion, which is Cruelty and I also cover Pity which is a 'False Compassion'.

As I discussed in Episode 1, I encourage everyone to get formal Meditation Instruction from a local Sangha (Buddhist Group) or Meditation Center.  If this just isn't possible, I am reposting  the online instructions from the that podcast.

Meditation Instructions
The podcast has been around for a month now so I am making a few changes to make it feel a bit more like home.  I scoured the podsafe music network for just the right theme music and I think I found it.  It's called 'Monkey Chips' by Van Davis.  I will be buying their album 'Have You Seen This Band' in the very near future.  They are definitely worth a listen!

Secondly, I've added a comment line.  So now there are at least three different ways to contact me.

1. lans@enlighten-up.org
2. Leave comments on the podcast sight (where you are right now)
3. The comment line (206) 200-LANS (5267)

So feel free to contact me with any questions, comments or suggestions.  Also digg me at digg.com. 
 

Episode 4:  Basic Goodness

This week, I talk about Basic Goodness, which is sometimes known as Buddha Nature.  I discuss what Basic Goodness is, and how we can manifest it more effectively in our daily lives.

Karma:  What It Is And What It Isn't

In this episode, we define what Karma is and dispel some of the popular misconceptions.  We talk about how Karma affects situations and what other forces effect them also.  We also take a look at Karma's role in reincarnation.

When I listened back to this, there were a few terms I thought might need defining if you haven't studied much Buddhism, so here we go.

Bardo Teachings:  Used somewhat loosely, the term "bardo" refers to the state of existence intermediate between two lives on earth.  These are the main teachings of the 'Tibetan Book of the Dead'.

Nirvana:  Being free from the cycle of suffering. 

'Will of the Mind':  Karma is based on an action performed, where as 'Will of the Mind' is the intent or thought behind the action, or an intent or thought without action.
_____________
If you want to learn more about the Six Realms, here is a quick overview.

NOTE:  If you tried to listen to this pod cast in the site player, apparently I sounded like Alvin and the Chipmunks.  I apparently encoded at a rate that was not good for flash players.  Anyway, sorry for the problem.  I have re-encoded and it seems to be working fine now.

In this episode I talk about what it is that a Buddhist believes.  This talk was sparked by a wonderful article by Dzongsar Jamyang Khentse, Rinpoche in the January issue of Shambhala Sun.  He had a similar article several years ago in the Sun.  We briefly touch on impermanence, emotions, emptiness, nirvana and karma.

The Heart Sutra Text

The Heart Sutra Explanation part 1
The Heart Sutra Explanation part 2
The Heart Sutra Explanation part 3
The Heart Sutra Explanation part 4
The Heart Sutra Explanation part 5
The Heart Sutra Explanation part 6


Dzongsar Jamyang Khentse, Rinpoche
Wikipedia entry about the Rinpoche
Rinpoche's article in Shambhala Sun called "Buddhism In A Nutshell"
His new book is called "What Makes You Not A Buddhist"

Please stop by the blog enlighten-up.org.

Feel free to contact Lans at lans(at)enlighten-up.org

Episode 1 - Meditation:  It's Not Just For Buddhists

In the very first episode of the Enlighten Up Podcast, Lans, The Meditator Man talks about what the podcast is all about. He also talks a little bit about himself and then talks about the benefits of the practice of meditation for anyone, Buddhist or not.

Please stop by the blog enlighten-up.org.

Feel free to contact Lans at lans(at)enlighten-up.org

Meditation Instructions