Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Overcoming obstacles to Dharma practice

Overcoming obstacles to Dharma practice

The first of two talks given during a one-day retreat on Overcoming Obstacles on the Path to Enlightenment, sponsored by Shantideva Meditation Center in New York City.

  • Advice on being a student
    • Building confidence in our practice
    • Importance of going to teachings and retreats
  • Duhkha and the causes of cyclic existence
  • Ignorance that misapprehends reality
  • Karma’s cause and effect are the underlying principles of how everything relates
  • Importance of practicing compassion on and off the cushion
  • Qualities of spiritual mentors: what to look for in a teacher
  • The three poisonous attitudes

Overcoming obstacles (morning session) (download)

The afternoon talk can be found here.

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.