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Everyday Buddhism!: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Zopa Noble Park Buddhists
If you're an everyday gardener, you need to know a bit about botany - which are the weeds and which are the flowers. Everyday Buddhism helps you get to know your mind and how it operates; mental states to cultivate, the ones to weed out. Engage with the practice of transforming your outer world by understanding the workings of your inner world. Zopa Noble Park Buddhists is a Mahayana Buddhist study group located in Noble Park, an outreach group of Atisha Centre, Bendigo. We are students of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche. These podcasts are recordings of teachings we've hosted.
Latest Episodes
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- Nov 16, 20251h 15m
Changing the way we see things Part 1
“We can learn to unpack and unravel our conceptual stories, and we can change them,” says Venerable Robina.If we stop and observe for a moment, we can see the outside world appears to us so set in stone and absolute. Right, wrong, good, bad. We may not be aware of it but we hold a similar fixed, narrow view of ourselves.How to be happy? How to deal with what we see happening around us in a wise and compassionate way? How to understand what is happening in our mind? All of these sprout from the views we hold and the way we see things. As we begin to access the more subtle levels of the mind, we can understand what is going on in our own head and start to make changes - changes to our internal and external worlds. Change the unhappy, constricted, neurotic, painful, distorted viewpoints in the mind and reconfigure things; learn to see things differently; see the world differently. The mind is the source, that’s the bottom line.
- Nov 14, 202518 min
Changing the Way We See Things Part 2
“We can learn to unpack and unravel our conceptual stories, and we can change them,” says Venerable Robina.If we stop and observe for a moment, we can see the outside world appears to us so set in stone and absolute. Right, wrong, good, bad. We may not be aware of it but we hold a similar fixed, narrow view of ourselves.How to be happy? How to deal with what we see happening around us in a wise and compassionate way? How to understand what is happening in our mind? All of these sprout from the views we hold and the way we see things. As we begin to access the more subtle levels of the mind, we can understand what is going on in our own head and start to make changes - changes to our internal and external worlds. Change the unhappy, constricted, neurotic, painful, distorted viewpoints in the mind and reconfigure things; learn to see things differently; see the world differently. The mind is the source, that’s the bottom line.
- Mar 5, 20251h 59m
Seeing things as they really are and cultivating an other-centred attitude
On March 3rd, 2025, Geshe Sherab delivered this insightful and thought-provoking talk on the power of intention, the nature of mind, and how cultivating a cherishing thought for others can transform our lives. Drawing from the profound wisdom of the Buddhist tradition, he explored how our perceptions shape our experiences, the role of self-centeredness in suffering, and the path to greater peace and clarity. Topics Covered:• The importance of intention in Mahayana Buddhism• Understanding suffering through afflictive emotions and self-grasping• How our perceptions create reality – is a table really a table?• The nature of dependent origination and ultimate reality• Practical methods to cultivate wisdom and compassion in daily lifeGeshe Sherab reminded us that true happiness does not arise from external circumstances but from transforming our own minds.Timestamps:[00:00:00] Opening reflections on intention[00:07:00] Guided meditation on settling the mind[00:11:05] The essence of the Buddha’s teaching: Transforming the mind[00:33:00] The illusion of inherent existence – seeing beyond appearances[00:53:00] Dependent arising: How everything is interconnected[01:20:00] Q&A: Understanding perception, suffering, and the power of the mindIf you found this teaching meaningful, consider sharing it with others who may benefit.#GesheSherab #Buddhism #Compassion #Wisdom #Mahayana #Meditation #DharmaTalk
- Aug 8, 202311 min
A five minute meditation on the breath for improved focus and alertness.
Venerable Robina Courtin leads a short - five minute - meditation on the breath. Venerable Robina gives an introduction to the correct physical posture to adopt followed by a brief, simple meditation aimed at increasing focus, awareness and alertness. Easily something you can do everyday. Introduction to the posture Meditation instruction The meditation practice - "4 or 5 quality minutes"
- Aug 8, 20231h 34m
Everyday Buddhism session 5
Venerable Robina Courtin is known for her clear teaching, explaining the Buddhist approach to thinking and acting in terms we can understand. Through examples that are relevant to our lives, she presents multiple ways we can put these ideas into practice. Venerable Robina explains the beneficial actions of body, speech and mind we can adopt, and actions to avoid. She gives us ways to create positive new habits benefiting ourselves and those around us, and how to slowly - completely - rid ourselves of harmful, ancient, negative ones. Stolen Time: One Woman's Inspiring Story As An Innocent Condemned To Death, Sunny Jacobs: https://bit.ly/StolenTime_SunnyJacobs Q: I am caregiving for my father and my dog. I feel resentful for the demands that are placed on me. What can I do to keep going? On "blessing the speech" practice You can view Venerable Robina leading this practice here: • Express Meditation with Ven. Robina C... Q: I just heard it yesterday, that we can listen to the Teachings in 3 ways -- being a full pot so nothing goes in, being a dirty pot -- so all got polluted, or being a licking pot -- so it goes in and then it goes out again. I think on different days I can be any of those really :) Q: In the evening I am determined to wake up early and meditate and practice and in the morning I slept again. Q: My 21 year old daughter has a strong tendency toward anxiety and will often catastrophise and overthinks the future, causing her a lot of additional stresses. Alongside this, her anxiety extends to social situations as well.Do you have any advice… Q: Would it be skilful to try and practise and master two traditions/lineages? I am currently mainly a practitioner of Soto Zen however am also inclined towards esoteric practises such as those in Vajrayana. Q: I'm curious about the way 'Western' Buddhists should practice vs 'Eastern' Buddhists. From my reading, it seems Lama Yeshe didn't think westerners need to do all the intense rituals whilst Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaches very intense rituals for everyone Q: How to work with my sister who drinks alcohol (and gets drunk) in the house we share together Q: What guidance / recommendations do you have for daily practice? Is there essential daily rituals/ practice for a lay person? Q: Can purification practice "lessen the load" of previous karmic imprints? Q: Why does our mind ‘push-back’ so intensely if we get too involved with it? It doesn't occur to us to consciously say positive thoughts to counteract our negative thought habit Q: I’m finding it difficult to deal with my internal feelings towards the reactions from others to my illness / disability / , and the loss of friendships etc . I’m finding this hard. What can I do ? Because it causes me to want to withdraw as it takes so much energy -as I struggle just to manage. Q: Ven Robina, I'm doing a daily Vajrasattva purification practice most evenings with the four Rs. My ability to visualise Vajrasattva over my head is poor. Any ideas on how to build that visualisation skill? Q: I’m a support person for a man with a degenerative disease. He knows I have a Buddhist practice and we often chat about Buddhism and he asks questions. I’m not a teacher
- Aug 8, 20231h 33m
Everyday Buddhism session 4
Venerable Robina Courtin is known for her clear teaching, explaining the Buddhist approach to thinking and acting in terms we can understand. Through examples that are relevant to our lives, she presents multiple ways we can put these ideas into practice. Venerable Robina explains the beneficial actions of body, speech and mind we can adopt, and actions to avoid. She gives us ways to create positive new habits benefiting ourselves and those around us, and how to slowly - completely - rid ourselves of harmful, ancient, negative ones. Q: I struggle to give loving kindness & forgiveness to my mum who lives with mental health challenges & anger what practice should I develop? Q: Knowing I have not demonstrated compassion in these moments what can I do to reduce my agitation & karmic imprint and forgive myself for not being able to not react Venerable Robina leading a short Vajrasattva purification practice: • Venerable Robina Courtin Leads A Shor... Teachings on Vajrasattva and the four opponent powers: • There's no karma that can't be purified! Q: My sister has been listening to your teachings on YouTube not being a Buddhist and being curious what would you suggest she should do to start a Buddhist practice Q: How important is meditation in our daily practice, what recommendations do you have for a lay person’s daily practice? Q: Can Buddhism be learnt from books? Or should you have a teacher? How do you you find right teacher for you? Q: I’m a performer and have been so inspired by Tina Turner- as an artist I always think that Art Practice is also a spiritual pursuit - (even though that may not be in the Sutras!) Tina practiced the mantra Nam Myho Renge Kyo’ from the Ringchen practice. I looked this up but could not find the Lotus Sutra in the fpmt website- but found it on the Rigpa website. However because of my Gelugpa lineage I don’t feel as connected- and a bit guilty looking elsewhere… Q: When you go into meditation and you think it is not successful (because there are so many thoughts coming up)... The real purpose of mediation is to become more familiar with your mind We do need relaxation; however, this meditation is not for relaxation - it is about ALERTNESS! Q: [Regret about not spending time on the cushion doing practice - But I do argue with my ego throughout my day] Q: Do we have to wait 9 months for Lama Zopa's rebirth? Q: Are we at a point where there can be a female reincarnation? Q: How to maintain enthusiasm when obstacles arise and how to embrace it when the obstacles are gone! Q: What to do when I'm in the classroom (as the teacher) and there is conflict and confrontation and I have to make a decision in the moment "the deepest most subtle attachment of all and the hardest to recognise" - Worry about what people think Q: My brother is a programmer and we were recently talking about AI. He told me that Google is experimenting with storing data on atoms. He tells me he believes they are making headway. If this happens AI will probably develop full consciousness. I thought about King of Prayers, on every atom is a Buddha field. Under these circumstances do you think from a Buddhist perspective that a conscience could enter an AI? It seems like a silly question but people really fear this. A short meditation on the breath with introduction
- Aug 8, 20231h 21m
Everyday Buddhism session 3
Venerable Robina Courtin is known for her clear teaching, explaining the Buddhist approach to thinking and acting in terms we can understand. Through examples that are relevant to our lives, she presents multiple ways we can put these ideas into practice. Venerable Robina explains the beneficial actions of body, speech and mind we can adopt, and actions to avoid. She gives us ways to create positive new habits benefiting ourselves and those around us, and how to slowly - completely - rid ourselves of harmful, ancient, negative ones. Q: Dealing with Nagas Q: Correct approach to Guru devotion, having a "spiritual mentor" Q: How do I question and explore respectfully, once I've taken on a spiritual mentor Q: How can we maintain compassion and balance when we are interacting with the News [of other people's suffering] without being swamped or overcome by it? Q: Ven. Robina, I have an increasing observational awareness of the stupid pointless [internal] chatter that goes on constantly during my day. I can't stop it or silence it, I jump on board and take the ride but I am aware of it. Is that a sign of progress or just ego telling me that I'm developing faster than I actually am? Q: How do I present myself in my working life as a person on the Buddhist path? Q: What to do if you are the kind of person who takes everything in and it stays in (not someone who is vomiting everything out the mouth!)
- Aug 8, 20231h 33m
Everyday Buddhism session 2
Venerable Robina Courtin is known for her clear teaching, explaining the Buddhist approach to thinking and acting in terms we can understand. Through examples that are relevant to our lives, she presents multiple ways we can put these ideas into practice. Venerable Robina explains the beneficial actions of body, speech and mind we can adopt, and actions to avoid. She gives us ways to create positive new habits benefiting ourselves and those around us, and how to slowly - completely - rid ourselves of harmful, ancient, negative ones. Impermanence To practice what? The revolutionary shift in the mind The unique approach of the Buddha Get Wisdom!! Causes of suffering: karma and delusions The subtlest misconception Receiving the cake making initiation (the benefit of a spiritual teacher) Choose your guru very carefully, you're going to end up like them Q: What about when someone says they are self taught? Q: Could you please offer some tips on building and maintaining motivation in the early days of developing a daily meditation practice? Q: If the best way to get there is with a teacher … then who taught Bach when he was playing so well at 5 years of age Q: I understand intellectually how objects conventionally exist and the emptiness of objects, what I struggle with is to transfer that to situations, for example being criticised at work The Ikea "I" "One or many" logical argument His Holiness Dalai Lama on dependant arising Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche on the realisation of the emptiness of "I" Dependant arising and Emptiness is the most delicious way to understand emptiness (on the Heart Sutra) Emptiness on the "I" Nihilistic Insanity Q: Are you saying that the mind was not experiencing fear, but the body was … because the body was trying to survive altho the mind wasn't How to apply dependant arising and wisdom in the supermarket aisle Medicine Buddha Mantra
About Everyday Buddhism!
If you're an everyday gardener, you need to know a bit about botany - which are the weeds and which are the flowers. Everyday Buddhism helps you get to know your mind and how it operates; mental states to cultivate, the ones to weed out. Engage with the practice of transforming your outer world by understanding the workings of your inner world. Zopa Noble Park Buddhists is a Mahayana Buddhist study group located in Noble Park, an outreach group of Atisha Centre, Bendigo. We are students of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche. These podcasts are recordings of teachings we've hosted.
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