Students' Insights

Students share how they integrate the Dharma into their daily lives and to face challenging situations.

All Posts in Students' Insights

Black and white image of a man gazing off into the distance.
On Impermanence

Don’t take life for granted

"In the blink of an eye, everything can change." A student examines how this truth…

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Kenryuu with his arm around his mother, both smiling and standing with Venerable Chodron.
On Taking Illness Onto the Path

My trip to the operating theatre and back

I recently had an infected cyst on my back. It had grown quickly, got infected,…

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Man leaning over balcony railing, in contemplation.
On Working with Afflictions

Stinkin’ thinkin’

In this time of uncertainty, there is nothing more important than working on our own…

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Bright gold and orange sunset at Pismo Beach.
On Working with Afflictions

VRBO

Sometimes we can clearly see the disadvantages of clinging to our possessions.

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Plaque that says, "I vow to plant a garden on earth of loving kindness for all beings."
On Impermanence

Aging gracefully and with gratitude

Bob shares some of the practices (Dharma and other) that have benefited him throughout his…

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Bob giving a talk at Sravasti Abbey in front of the Chenrezig Hall altar.
On Taking Illness Onto the Path

Transforming aging and illness into the path

One of Venerable Chodron's long-time students contemplates acceptance and slowing down.

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Statue of angel in front of rising sun with arms reaching out.
Dharma Poetry

The warrior of dawn

The student tries paths of light and of darkness before discovering the middle way.

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Stephen kneeling in front of Venerable Chodron and offeirng a khata.
On Cultivating Virtue

Ethical ways to meet our needs

There are many ways that we can meet our needs in this life. Some are…

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Closeup of the face of a baby.
Dharma Poetry

The human story

Each person's individual journey contains challenges and difficulties that, if met with courage, can cause…

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Man standing on a rock looking at the ocean.
Dharma Poetry

Return to reality: Love and hate

Seemingly contradictory feelings can lead to the same prison, a prison of ignorance.

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Ken Mondale at the Abbey setting up an altar with a fellow practitioner.
On Working with Afflictions

The fixer

There is little we can do to correct injustice in the world if our minds…

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Sword sticking out of ground with pond in background.
Dharma Poetry

Poems of Human and Spirit

When we spend our time and energy moving between extremes, we are unable to step…

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