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Joyful effort

Overcoming the three types of laziness

Teaching given in Deer Park, Wisconsin.

The three types of laziness

  • The laziness of procrastination
    • Contemplate impermanence
    • Antidotes to procrastination make practicing easy and joyful
    • Know what is important and what is not important in life
  • The laziness of busyness
    • Knowing what is certain overcomes being too busy
    • The only thing we have to do in life is die
    • Being honest with ourselves about what we choose to do
  • The laziness of discouragement
    • Compassion and acceptance overcome discouragement
    • Self acceptance is the basis for Dharma practice
    • Seeing and trusting the goodness in ourselves

Laziness 01 (download)

Questions and answers

  • Situations where we put the dharma into practice
  • Having loving kindness and compassion for all sentient beings
  • Having long term motivation of bodhicitta
  • Transforming our minds and feeling connected to the sangha

Laziness 02: Q&A (download)

Venerable Thubten Chodron

Venerable Chodron emphasizes the practical application of Buddha’s teachings in our daily lives and is especially skilled at explaining them in ways easily understood and practiced by Westerners. She is well known for her warm, humorous, and lucid teachings. She was ordained as a Buddhist nun in 1977 by Kyabje Ling Rinpoche in Dharamsala, India, and in 1986 she received bhikshuni (full) ordination in Taiwan. Read her full bio.

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