EveryBodhi Podcast

On the surface, many Lojong verses seem like do-this-don't-do-that dictates restricting and prohibiting our freedom. These verses are actually friendly cautions alerting us to subtle attitudes that act against our well being. The integrity of our spiritual path depends upon a willingness to leave counterproductive habits behind in the name of true freedom. Jampal Norbu examines integrity in the context of aspiration bodhicitta through verse 33: Do Not Pounce Upon Vulnerability.

We are full of stories. Our whole relative experience can be seen as such, just stories. Stories are helpful in comprehending experience, but stories also confuse our very perceptions. When our sense of self importance writes the narrative, we typically arrive at stories that are corrosive to positive agency, confidence and contentment. Through Lojong we're encouraged to be aware of who from within is telling the story. Jampal Norbu examines Lojong verse 32: Do Not Wait In Ambush.

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

Humans have used debate for millennia because it effectively exposes assumption, bias and misunderstanding. Most debates these days, though, are undertaken not for the sake of clarity and understanding, but for the sake of argument. In the spirit of argument, the main objective is to win, not to learn or clarify. Argument is ego's conquest in its relentless campaign of self validation. In the spirit of debating argument, Jampal Norbu explores Lojong verse 31-Do Not Be Contentious.

Loyalty is a charged concept these days. For some, loyalty is a noble quality. For others, loyalty provokes dismissive disdain, as if it were just another outdated notion. But all of us demonstrate loyalty more often than we might be willing to admit. In this episode, Jampal Norbu reflects on the care and wisdom required to apply loyalty where loyalty is due. This is part 2 of a 2-part examination of Lojong verse 30 - Do not be a loyalist.