When we contemplate emptiness, we are very happy to hear that emptiness will alleviate our suffering. But when we start to think that our samsaric happiness is similarly empty and similarly illusory, we get a little nervous. We are not so comfortable with that, we... read more
Since we cannot always avoid verbal stimuli, we should develop an antidote to the afflictions in order to calm them if they get triggered. When you sit down to watch some media, whether you are watching the news, a documentary, or a movie, have a determination... read more
I have had some friends in media, and when I bring up what I consider to be an obvious fact, that media tells us who we are and shapes who we are, the response they say is, “No, we don’t, we’re just responding to what people want.” They see themselves as just... read more
We have heard from a few people that they have gotten into the Dharma and now have Dharma friends, but their Dharma friends want to go out to the pub, to go smoke a joint, to go to the movies, to go to the casinos, or whatever. Then you get really confused because... read more
Everything that is produced or compounded comes about through causes and conditions. Therefore, it is impermanent — that is, it changes moment by moment. Why? Since the causal energy is changing each moment, the result must also be in the nature of change. Since the... read more
