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.