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....
Aug 05, 2025•21 min•Season 1Ep. 142
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 appreci...
Jun 05, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 141
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.
May 06, 2025•21 min•Season 1Ep. 140
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 For others, loyalty provokes dismissive disdain, as if it were just another outdated notion.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.
Feb 02, 2025•19 min•Season 1Ep. 139
Each of Lojong’s 59 slogans are composed of carefully selected words that can become powerful and reliable resources on the spiritual path. One's own words. Years ago, when Jampal Norbu worked on a Tibetan to English translation of the Lojong verses he was surprised to learn that Trungpa Rinpoche’s well-know translation of Verse 30, “Don’t be so predictable,” was not quite direct or literal. In this episode, Jampal Norbu begins his two part examination of Lojong’s most provocative verse.
Dec 23, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 138
Ego loves attention. It loves to call the shots. Ego even inserts itself into otherwise positive, altruistic actions. The Buddhist tradition of Lojong enables us to refine our practice of self-reflection so that we might observe and remedy ego’s sneakier tactics. In this episode, Jampal Norbu encourages us to find and face the source of true happiness as he examines Lojong Verse 29: Abstain From Toxic Food.
Oct 14, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 137
Jampal Norbu considers the examined, meaningful life beyond self indulgence and impulse. Our impulsive behavior is dictated by the self important rascal called ego, whose every action results in the five afflictive emotions. The Buddhist practice of Lojong trains us to spot and acknowledge those patterns. Seeing beyond those patterns we discover and appreciate new aspects and abilities within our very own mind. Understanding the verses, “Work with the strongest emotions first,” and “Abandon expe...
Aug 06, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 136
Sit by a riverside in The Kingdom of Bhutan with Jampal Norbu as he reflects on the value of our Buddhist heritage and history. The people, places and surprises encountered along a pilgrim’s trail can illuminate many aspects of study, practice and experience. Lojong too connects us to the genuine heart of the spiritual path and the blessings of all those great aspirants that came before us.
Jul 01, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 135
Jampal Norbu discusses the historical and cultural significance of the Deer Park at Sarnath, where the Buddha first turned The Wheel of Dharma. He emphasizes the unique context these teachings offer by acknowledging the root cause of all our suffering. Understanding this, we can proceed to cultivate a positive and meaningful existence.
Jun 05, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 134
The Lojong mind training slogans don’t offer practitioners advice so that we might simply become nice or agreeable people. Mind training aims to aid us in genuine transformation, but we need to challenge ourselves to understand its deeper, nuanced layers. In this episode, Jampal Norbu is joined by Dharma teacher, Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel, in contemplation of Verse 26: “Do Not Ponder Others’ Business”.
Apr 25, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 133
Have you heard of negativity bias? Recognizing threats to our well being is intuitive and alerts a sense of urgency around perceived negativities. However, this same quality can run out of control in a world where social criticism, and doom scrolling keep us locked into negative patterns. Lojong practice transforms that negative urgency into a healthier, positive mindset. Jampal Norbu explores verse 25 of Lojong: “Do not speak of the downfall of others.” Theme music by Matt Quentin
Jan 18, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 132
The practice of Lojong has a long and well established history. Many great practitioners have composed invaluable commentaries on its liberating effects. Their guidebooks reach across centuries, and transform even our fast paced, modern day negativities. These illuminating texts make Lojong one of the most accessible Buddhist practices in the world today, but so do the examples of great living practitioners like Ani Pema Chodron. More than a world renowned author and teacher. Pema Chodron is a l...
Dec 07, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 131
The practice of Lojong has a long and well established history. Many great practitioners have composed invaluable commentaries on its liberating effects that can reach across centuries and transform even our fast paced, modern day negativities. These illuminating guidebooks make Lojong one of the most accessible Buddhist practices in the world today, but so do the examples of great living practitioners, like Ani Pema Chodron. More than a world renowned author and teacher, Pema Chodron is a livin...
Oct 30, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 130
Freedom is one of the fundamental rights for all human beings. But what does freedom look like on a personal level…on a spiritual level? Are we seeking freedom from responsibility, freedom from persecution or freedom from consequences? All beings are answerable to the laws of cause and effect, which means that true freedom comes from taking responsibility for your own mind. Jampal Norbu examines the 23rd verse of Lojong: “Always train in the three basic principles.“ Theme music by Matt Quentin...
Oct 03, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Jampal Norbu examines the 22nd verse of Lojong: “You have reached proficiency if you can practice even while distracted." Transforming self concern into care for others is the core of Buddhist meditation. How then do we gauge our progress on that path? The key lies in self reflection, which makes meditation possible. With a strong foundation of self reflection, our practice is available even when we find ourselves caught by life’s distracting circumstances.
Jul 25, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 128
Suffering happens, sometimes in heaps. It takes a great deal of strength to overcome the internal darkness of neurotic emotions. While forced positivity can be just a bypass of a difficult experience in life, we’re still responsible for our own minds. So what to do? Lojong verse 21, “Always maintain a joyful attitude,” reminds us to deepen our understanding within the experiences of both suffering and happiness. music by Matt Quentin
May 09, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 27
The proliferation of opinions is endless, and many of them are misinformed. How do we come to trust the direct perception of our own mind over the assumptions of others? Through contemplation and practice, we can learn to find genuine confidence in our own experience. In this episode, Jampal Norbu examines the 20th verse of Lojong, “Of the two witnesses, rely on the main one.” Theme music by Matt Quentin
Apr 04, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 26
In this episode, Jampal Norbu examines the 19th verse of Lojong, “All dharma agrees at a single point.” This verse identifies the common ground shared by all schools of Buddhism; a ground that provides the essential basis of Dharma practice. Theme music by Matt Quentin.
Mar 07, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Jampal Norbu considers the 18th verse of Lojong, “The Mahayana Instructions for the transference of consciousness are the five thoughts. Conduct is vital.” We examined how the Five Strengths apply to everyday life in the previous episode. Now, we will see how the Five Strengths apply to the end of life. Dharma teacher Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel joins Dungse Jampal for a thoughtful dialogue on how mind training can make a difference at the pivotal moment of disillusionment. Theme music by Matt Quen...
Jan 24, 2023•55 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Jampal Norbu explores the fourth point of mind training, which encourages practitioners to make Lojong a way of life. The seventeenth verse of Lojong, “The pith instructions briefly summarized: Apply the five strengths,” shows us the path to a life wholly integrated with bodhicitta. Theme music by Matt Quentin.
Nov 01, 2022•23 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Jampal Norbu examines what it means to bring the practice of Lojong fully into your life. The sixteenth verse of lojong, “use whatever you face as a practice immediately“, is a commitment to go beyond the framework of conventional thinking and to bring practice to everything as it arises. The power of this verse lives in the present moment, and if we can bring our practice insight to this moment, then it will change our life. Theme music by Matt Quentin
Sep 27, 2022•36 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Jampal Norbu explores the practice of applying Tonglen in everyday life by utilizing specific skillful means. The fifteenth verse of Lojong, “The Four Practices are the Best of Means,” outline specific methods of practice which enhance Lojong practice in general. Theme music by Matt Quentin
Aug 17, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Jampal Norbu gives a brief introduction to the four kayas, and the significance of emptiness as guardian against samsara’s influence. The fourteenth verse of lojong, “Meditate upon illusory appearance as the four kayas. This is the unsurpassable protection of emptiness” takes the relative understanding of bodhichitta and opens it to the greater implications of just how far this practice can take us. Theme music by Matt Quentin.
May 21, 2022•21 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Jampal Norbu takes a look at the importance of gratitude in life, including gratitude for challenging events and people. The thirteenth verse of lojong, “Meditate upon gratitude towards all”, builds on the twelfth verse which focuses on taking responsibility for one’s mind. Adopting a practice of gratitude and responsibility, cultivates a healthy attitude for practice in a volatile world. Theme music by Matt Quentin.
Apr 21, 2022•17 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Jampal Norbu looks into the importance of taking responsibility for the activity of our own minds, without succumbing to self-aggression. The twelfth verse of lojong, “Realize all faults spring from one source” is a difficult verse to adopt into practice, but it gives rise to empowering results. Theme music by Matt Quentin.
Feb 28, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Jampal Norbu opens up the third point of mind training - transforming adversity into the path of enlightenment. The chapters starts with the eleventh verse of lojong, ‘When the world is full of evil, transform misfortune into the path of awakening”, which speaks to the stoic quality of taking all challenges as opportunities to grow in the practice of dharma. Theme music by Matt Quentin.
Jan 18, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Jampal Norbu explores the application of tonglen within everyday life - especially in relationship with our selves. The tenth verse of Lojong, “Begin the sequence of taking with oneself”, is a potent slogan for caregivers who know what is required to relate with the suffering of those around them. This episode is the second of a two-part look at how tonglen can be applied within caregiving, and to honor those caregivers who regularly extend beyond themselves. Theme music by Matt Quentin.
Dec 07, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Jampal Norbu explores the application of tonglen within everyday life - especially in relationship to oneself. The tenth verse of lojong, “Begin the sequence of taking with oneself“, is a potent slogan for caregivers who know what is required to relate with the suffering of those around them. This verse is the first in a two part look at how tonglen can be applied within caregiving, and to honor those who regularly extend beyond themselves. Theme music by Matt Quentin
Nov 10, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Jampal Norbu explores the necessity of mind training as a living practice through developing a deeper understanding of the lojong slogans. The diligent application of self reflection and the nature of mind will lead us to experience freedom from ego attachment and the afflictive emotions. It is, however, up to the individual to explore what that means directly. Theme music by Matt Quentin
Sep 21, 2021•26 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Jampal Norbu examines how dharma practice is meant to transform negative emotions. The goal of a Buddhist path is to transform negative states of mind instead of avoiding or denying them. The path to freedom begins with simple sitting practice which allows us to identify neurotic states of mind. With some stabilization of that capacity we can employ the Lojong teachings to find true benefit. Theme music by Matt Quentin
Aug 19, 2021•27 min•Season 1Ep. 13
