Stages of the Path

Lamrim teachings provide a step-by-step approach to practicing the entire path to awakening.

All Posts in Stages of the Path

Closeup of Wat Pho's Reclining Buddha.
Essence of Refined Gold

Taking joy in our Dharma practice

Having an appreciation for joyous effort and showing interest in overcoming laziness.

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Closeup of Wat Pho's Reclining Buddha.
Essence of Refined Gold

Laziness that interferes with practice

How laziness interferes with Dharma practice. What it means to be kind to ourselves and…

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The word Dharma on a boardwalk.
Essence of Refined Gold

Fortitude of practicing the Dharma

Going through physical and mental hardships during our Dharma practice by cultivating patience.

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An Afghan girl's face full of emotion, using her sunburnt hand to cover her mouth.
Essence of Refined Gold

Fortitude of enduring suffering

Continuing with the explanation of the practice of non-retaliation, and the second type of fortitude…

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The words: fortitude in a grey and a bit green background.
Essence of Refined Gold

Meaning and benefits of fortitude

The types of beings to help and what help should we offer to them. Understanding…

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Closeup of Wat Pho's Reclining Buddha.
Essence of Refined Gold

Three kinds of ethical conduct

Discussion of the characteristics of far-reaching ethical conduct: abandoning destructive actions, engaging in constructive actions,…

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Closeup of Wat Pho's Reclining Buddha.
Essence of Refined Gold

Ethical conduct and benefitting sentient beings

Discussion of the concept of far-reaching ethical conduct. Keeping precepts and what to do if…

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A tag with the word generosity is....
Essence of Refined Gold

Three types of generosity

Discussion of the three kinds of generosity: that of giving the Dharma, of giving protection,…

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Buddha's face painted on canvas.
Essence of Refined Gold

Creating the causes for bodhicitta in future rebirths

Four harmful factors that must be avoided and four beneficial factors to engage in to…

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Buddha's face painted on canvas.
Essence of Refined Gold

The meditation on taking and giving

How visualizing taking on the suffering of others and giving them our happiness can be…

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Buddha's face painted on canvas.
Essence of Refined Gold

The advantages of cherishing others

How to generate bodhicitta by changing in one's mind who is important and cherished: the…

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Buddha's face painted on canvas.
Essence of Refined Gold

The disadvantages of self-centeredness

Working with the self-centered mind to increase happiness, one realizes the mind is dependent on…

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