37 Practices of a Bodhisattva (video series)

I did a series of daily talks during the Covid-19 lockdown.

I wanted to do something during this crisis, something to try to help others (and myself). At first I thought it might be too ambitious to give talks every day, but I made it work and I’m pretty proud of the series. I had intended for it to end right at the end of the lockdown here in Kansas City, but the lockdown has been extended. I’ll try something else next. Putting out this material has been good as far as giving me something to do, bringing something positive into the world when so many people are struggling with what’s going on. What’s a Bodhisattva? A Bodhisattva is someone who is trying to unleash their potential for mindfulness and compassion. We’re on the Bodhisattva path because we’re trying our best. This text “the 37 practices of a Bodhisattva” is a concise text written by a Tibetan teacher in the 14th century named Tokme Zangpo. It’s a summary of how we should behave as we are on the path to awakening. It’s like a list of 37 tips to help keep us on track. Going through these every day has been enormously meaningful and helpful to me. I want to teach a class on this text at some point and I’m hoping an opportunity for that will appear. So, I am sharing all of the videos here. You don’t have to watch all of these and you don’t have to watch them in any order.  

1. Make Life Meaningful
2. Attachment and Hatred
3. Abandoning Negative Places
4. Giving Up Concern For This Life
5. Bad Company
6. Relying on a Spiritual Friend
7. Taking Refuge
8. Lower Realms and Virtue
9. Happiness is Like a Dewdrop
10. What Use is Our Own Happiness?
11. A Mind Intent on Benefitting Others
12. When Someone Steals
13. If Someone Tries To Cut Off Your Head
14. Bringing Disgrace Onto the Path
15. Bringing Harsh Words Onto the Path
16. Bringing Ingratitude Onto the Path
17. Bringing Defamation Onto the Path
18. Bringing Decline Onto the Path
19. Bringing Prosperity Onto the Path
20. Bringing Anger Onto the Path
21. Bringing Attachment Onto the Path
22. Free From Delusion
23. The Object of Attachment
24. The Object of Aversion
25. Training in Generosity
26. Training in Discipline
27. Training in Patience
28. Training in Diligence
29. Training in Concentration
30. Training in Wisdom
31. Examine Your Confusion
32. The Faults of Others
33. Honor and Status
34. Giving Up Harsh Words
35. Negative Emotions
36. Mindfulness and the Benefit of Others
37. Conclusion

  ================================================ Visit my YouTube Channel to hear  Talks! And go check out my Podcast Sharpening the Mind