Dharma Teachings

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.

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna illuminates important distinctions between conventional reality and ultimate reality known as the “Two Truths”. He describes these two truths in detail and shows how they are not separate thus steering us away from a nihilistic view and towards the middle way view of dependent origination.

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…

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.