Karma: Finding Freedom in This Moment
About this audiobook
Two Master Teachers Illuminate the Mysteries of Karma
Of the many Eastern wisdom teachings to have found their way westward, the notion of karma may be the most misunderstood—and most transformative. American-born teacher Pema Chödrön is renowned for making the wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism accessible, practical, and relevant for Westerners from all walks of life. But to bring us an understanding of the fundamental concept of karma, Ani Pema called on one of her own guides. On Karma, she is joined by Dzigar Kongtrül Rinpoche to present a two-part teaching session on this challenging subject.
What is karma? Is it superstition? Do you have to believe in reincarnation to understand it? How do I get rid of “bad” karma? In a dialogue both illuminating and provocative, Pema and Kongtrül Rinpoche address the most common questions of Western students, discussing karma on the level of the individual, relationships, and the community and world at large. Session two then brings us an inspirational dharma talk with Dzigar Kongtrül Rinpoche, exploring the roots of positive and negative karma, how your “good heart” will shape this life and the next, service versus self-attachment, and much more.
A mature view of karma empowers us to steer our lives through conscious choice rather than conditioned behaviors. Karma gives us a guiding light for living life at the level of cause, not effect, with responsibility and compassion.
Course Objectives:
• Discuss karma on the level of the individual, relationships, and the community and world at large
• Examine the most common questions of Western students on the subject of karma such as, "What is karma?" Is it superstition?" "Do you have to believe in reincarnation to understand it?" and, "How do I get rid of 'bad' karma?"
• Define Karma through exploring the roots of positive and negative karma, how your “good heart” will shape this life and the next, service versus self-attachment, and much more
• Recognize how a mature view of karma empowers us to steer our lives through conscious choice rather than conditioned behaviors
• Discuss how Karma gives us a guiding light for living life at the level of cause, not effect, with responsibility and compassion
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About the author
Dzigar Rinpoche Kongtrul
Dzigar Kongtrül Rinpoche is a teacher in the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism who is known for his skill in communicating subtle points of Buddhism and their relevance to modern-day life. His books include Uncommon Happiness and Light Comes Through.
Pema Chödrön
Ani Pema Chödrön was born Deirdre Blomfield-Brown in 1936, in New York City. She attended Miss Porter’s School in Connecticut and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley. She taught as an elementary school teacher for many years in both New Mexico and California. Pema has two children and three grandchildren.
While in her mid-thirties, Ani Pema traveled to the French Alps and encountered Lama Chime Rinpoche, with whom she studied for several years. She became a novice nun in 1974 while studying with Lama Chime in London. His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa came to Scotland at that time, and Ani Pema received her ordination from him.
Pema first met her root guru, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, in 1972. Lama Chime encouraged her to work with Rinpoche, and it was with him that she ultimately made her most profound connection, studying with him from 1974 until his death in 1987. At the request of the Sixteenth Karmapa, she received the full bikshuni ordination in the Chinese lineage of Buddhism in 1981 in Hong Kong.
Ani Pema served as the director of Karma Dzong in Boulder, Colorado, until moving in 1984 to rural Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, to be the director of Gampo Abbey. Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche gave her explicit instructions on establishing this monastery for Western monks and nuns.
Ani Pema currently teaches in the United States and Canada and plans for an increased amount of time in solitary retreat under the guidance of Venerable Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche.
Ani Pema is interested in helping establish Tibetan Buddhist monasticism in the West, as well as continuing her work with Western Buddhists of all traditions, sharing ideas and teachings. Her nonprofit, The Pema Chödrön Foundation, was set up to assist in this purpose.
She has written several books: The Wisdom of No Escape, Start Where You Are, When Things Fall Apart, The Places That Scare You, No Time to Lose, Practicing Peace in Times of War, How to Meditate, and Living Beautifully. All are available from Shambhala Publications and Sounds True.
