2019 Strong Foundation For Dharma Practice-Nanaimo-Nov 01-Profound Intent 4 Thoughts Refuge

The Path of Purification: recorded Dharma teachings given at the Bethlehem Retreat Centre Nanaimo, BC, Canada on November 1-3, 2019: In these talks, Lama Mark covered most of the essentials components needed on the path of Purification and Liberation. He started with instructions on how to build a strong foundation for Dharma, especially strength and capacity-merit-for study, reflection and meditation. The Lama especially emphasized the need to unfold the profound wisdom of cause and effect. He gave straightforward instructions for it's understanding and meditation; especially highlighting complete mindfulness through recollection combined with attentiveness. Also included are instructions and explanations on the non-dual realization of the open, untainted, changeless, luminous nature of the mind. In these talks the Lama also emphasized the importance of unfolding: - A strong basis of ethics and virtue in order to support our meditations and ripening of compassion and wisdom for all beings. - Discerning what is wholesome and what is unwholesome to know what to adopt and what to discard. - Studying and hearing the complete view of freedom. Refining and clarifying what we are looking for, why we are meditating and studying and what cause and conditions are gathered to reach awakening. - Refining our intent by seeing the results of our actions done with our body, speech and the mind. Seeing that everything during the day is a manifestation of cause and effect (karma/vipaka). - Necessities, similarities and differences in the path of purification and view of Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana (Buddhist tantric meditations) vehicles. - Orientation to the Vajrasattva meditation and Preliminary Liberating Instructions of the Drikung Dzogchen lineage.