Foundations of Buddhist Practice: Becoming a Qualified Disciple

Foundations of Buddhist Practice: Becoming a Qualified Disciple

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna offers a teaching about becoming a qualified disciple so that our practice and teacher/disciple relationship will bear fruit. He speaks about how one needs to be unprejudiced, intelligent, and interested when listening to and studying the Buddha’s teachings. John also speaks about the need to be open-minded not…

Foundation of Buddhist Practice: Gaining Nondeceptive Knowledge

Foundation of Buddhist Practice: Gaining Nondeceptive Knowledge

John Bruna, the spiritual director of the Way of Compassion Dharma Center, unpacks the Buddhist wisdom of evident objects, obscured objects, and very obscured objects. He gives practical guidance on how we can relate to these philosophical teachings wherever we might be on the path to awakening.

Foundation of Buddhist Practice: Third and Fourth of the Four Seals

Foundation of Buddhist Practice: Third and Fourth of the Four Seals

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna gives a teaching on the third and fourth seal of Buddhism. He gives clarity on the wisdom that realizes all phenomena as “selfless” and lacking inherent identity. John discusses how the misperception of our self as being inherently existent leads to anger and attachment. These three together are…

Approaching Buddhism: A Spacious View of Practice

Approaching Buddhism: A Spacious View of Practice

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…

Approaching Buddhism: Healthy Expectation and Proper Practice

Approaching Buddhism: Healthy Expectation and Proper Practice

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…