What is spirituality? There are so many different ideas, yet none of them are wrong. Is the purpose of spiritual practice to feel better, or is it to be better?

In this talk, Gelek Rimpoche addresses the specific Buddhist goal of freeing ourselves from negative emotions and suffering and introduces the limitless potential of the human mind.

A meaningful life is one in which we strive for the highest spiritual goal possible. Gelek Rimpoche defines that goal—complete, perfect enlightenment—and gives us guideposts for evaluating our progress.

An AA for negative emotions is what Gelek Rimpoche proposes in this teaching.

We are addicted, he asserts, to anger, obsession, jealousy and hatred, instead of being soaked in love and compassion.

The Buddha was once as addicted to negative emotions as we are but he defeated his delusions to become fully enlightened. We each have the same opportunity and responsibility.

Karma, the combination of intention and action is more difficult to understand than the Buddha’s central insight of emptiness. Whether it is the individual karma arising out of our intentions and actions or the collective karma we create as a society, without our awareness it determines the course of this life as well as future lives. Understanding how this works is essential to spiritual progress.

In embarking on the path to enlightenment, Buddha shared three tools for a happy life – be kind, do no harm and watch your mind. The mind determines whether our actions are positive or negative.

Gelek Rimpoche explains why the intention, action and reactions following our deeds determine our happiness.

Every thought, deed, intention, state of mind and action creates and affects karma, we may feel like an insignificant individual, but in reality we each carry a huge responsibility not only for creating our own suffering and happiness through karma, but contributing to the karma of our families and society.

Gelek Rimpoche shows where our responsibility begins and the opportunity for contributing to positive change.

Solving the problems of our lives takes more than just patching our wounds. How do we really deal with our problems and develop a practice that will make a difference?

Gelek Rimpoche gives the example of the historical Buddha as well as the inspiring dedication of the Tibetan people to preserve the teachings in the midst of tremendous hardship.

When we hurt others or are hurt ourselves, blame–directed towards ourselves or others–wastes
the biggest opportunity we have to correct, to compensate and to improve our minds.

Gelek Rimpoche outlines the beginning of a method for short circuiting this damaging state of mind
and transforming it into a pure one.

The decision to be joyful and happy takes initiative. We don’t magically receive it; we are responsible for making changes ourselves. Nobody else can help us engage in compassionate acts for ourselves such as finding time to meditate in the morning, and engaging the mind in compassion and wisdom.

If you want compassion for others, have compassion for yourself. Gelek Rimpoche guides us in taking those first steps.

Our very survival depends on the kindness of others yet every day we see the destructiveness of
arrogance on a local and global scale.

Lack of respect for others brings war, respect brings peace. Developing respect helps bring compassion, and compassion brings joy.

It’s hard not to be happy around the Dalai Lama even when times are difficult as they are now. Why? He is the embodiment of wisdom and compassion. So when we make a difference in our lives, we impact the people around us and ultimately the world.

It may seem like an insurmountable task, but Gelek Rimpoche shows that thigh we have difficulties and problems, we also have tremendous capacities, some of which we are not even aware.

“Recognizing the illusion of seeing ourselves as solid, separate and permanent opens the opportunity for a more meaningful life,” says Gelek Rimpoche in this lesson.

Nothing is solid or fixed, not our personality, not even negativities such as anger and obsession. Gelek Rimpoche shows how freedom and opportunity are the result of this understanding