Dharma Teachings

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna gives commentary on the second seal of Buddhism. He describes how we experience unsatisfactoriness in life due to karma and mental afflictions. John also discusses how misperception leads to attachment and aversion which turns the wheel of suffering.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna begins commentary on a new text. This text is “Foundation of Buddhist Practice” and is composed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron. In this first section, John unpacks the portion of the text that is focused on the Four Seals which are a framework…

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna describes multiple ways that we can see signs of progress on the path to awakening. He gives examples of how our analytical meditations will take root and change our experience of life. John also illuminates how we can engage with life so that all of our experiences become…

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna offers a Dharma talk on how we develop sustainably along the path of awakening. He discusses how steady effort and adopting a spacious view will serve us on the journey. John also discusses how we can engage with the worldview of multiple lives and continued consciousness at a…

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna gives a talk on some healthy expectations for our Dharma practice and how a balanced practice maintains an enthusiastic effort coupled with relaxation and patience. He also talks about how meditation is a process of becoming familiar with our minds and how slow and consistent meditation practice leads…

Spiritual director John Bruna offers commentary and clarity on how we can evaluate our practice in a realistic way and gives useful tools for us to make sustainable progress on the path.

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna gives guidance on the three levels of learning that bring about irreversible faith and confidence in the Buddha’s teachings. He discusses the importance of studying the Buddhist scriptures, then reflecting on and analyzing the teachings, and finally meditating upon the understanding to gain realization.

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna unpacks teachings on prayers and rituals by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron. John gives guidance that prayers alone won’t lead us further on the path to awakening. He describes the interplay and importance of prayer with our virtuous actions and gives clarity on how…

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna gives a powerful commentary on the text Approaching Buddhism by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron. John unpacks the topics of purification and accumulation of spiritual merit bringing to light how important these practices are for our wisdom to grow on the path to Enlightenment….

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna discusses the topic of blessings in Tibetan Buddhism. He speaks about how blessings are received through the dependent origination of teachings of Holy beings and our practice. John tells some stories of his teachers and how they have guided him to understand that one main way we receive…