Teachers
There are many teachers, philosophers, writers and scientists from whom I learn a lot and who inspire me. I mention some of them here. Also a number of links to podcasts that have helped me a lot and books that I have read and have brought me further.
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Pema Chödrön
https://pemachodronfoundation.org/
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Pema Chödrön is a Tibetan Buddhist nun and one of the foremost teachers of Buddhism in the West. She is an author, teacher, and spiritual director of the Gampo Abbey in Nova Scotia, Canada, and has written many books on Buddhism, meditation, and mindfulness.
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Pema Chödrön was born Deirdre Blomfield-Brown in 1936 in New York City. She became a student of Tibetan Buddhism in the 1970s and was ordained as a nun in 1981 by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, a renowned Tibetan lama. She is a member of the Shambhala Buddhist lineage, which combines the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism with the indigenous spiritual tradition of Shambhala.
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Pema Chödrön is known for her approachable, down-to-earth teaching style and her ability to present complex Buddhist concepts in a way that is accessible to people of all backgrounds. She emphasizes the importance of developing compassion and equanimity in order to find peace and happiness in our lives. In her teachings, she often encourages people to take on the practice of tonglen, or "sending and taking," which involves using the breath to send out love and compassion to others while simultaneously taking in their suffering.
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Some of the key lessons that can be drawn from Chodron's teachings include:
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The practice of mindfulness: Chodron emphasizes the importance of cultivating mindfulness in order to be fully present in the moment and to cultivate a sense of openness and clarity.
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The value of compassion: Chodron encourages people to cultivate compassion for themselves and others, as it can help us to connect with our own humanity and to find greater meaning and purpose in life. She encourages practitioners to develop a sense of tenderness and understanding towards their own suffering and the suffering of others.
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The importance of acceptance: Chodron teaches that acceptance is key to finding peace and happiness, and that by accepting ourselves and the world as it is, we can let go of suffering and find greater fulfillment. She encourages practitioners to let go of preconceptions and judgments, and to approach life with an open and curious mind. She teaches that this can lead to a sense of freedom and flexibility in how we respond to the challenges of life.
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The power of meditation: Chodron emphasizes the role of meditation in cultivating mindfulness, compassion, and self-awareness, and encourages people to incorporate meditation into their daily lives. Chödrön teaches the practice of mindfulness, or paying attention to one's thoughts, feelings, and sensations in the present moment. She emphasizes the value of being present and fully engaged in the present moment as a way to cultivate a sense of peace and well-being.
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The value of impermanence: Chodron teaches that everything in life is impermanent, and that by embracing this reality, we can let go of our attachment to things and find greater peace and contentment. ​
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The value of working with difficult emotions: Chödrön teaches that difficult emotions like anger, fear, and insecurity are an inevitable part of the human experience. Rather than trying to avoid or suppress these emotions, she encourages practitioners to work with them as opportunities for growth and transformation.​
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The concept of "sheng yen" or "exchanging self with others": Chödrön often talks about the concept of "sheng yen," which means "exchanging self with others." This involves cultivating an attitude of compassion and understanding towards others and recognizing that we are all interconnected and interdependent.
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Pema Chödrön's books include "When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times," "The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times," and "Start Where You Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living." She is highly respected within the Tibetan Buddhist community and has inspired many people around the world to take up the practice of meditation and mindfulness.
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Jack Kornfield
https://beherenownetwork.com/category/jack-kornfield/
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Jack Kornfield is an American Buddhist teacher and author who has played a significant role in bringing Buddhist teachings and practices to the West. He is a co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society (IMS) and the Spirit Rock Meditation Center, two influential organizations that have helped to popularize mindfulness and insight meditation in the United States.
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Kornfield was born in 1945 and became interested in Buddhism while serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand in the 1960s. He later studied with a number of renowned Buddhist teachers, including Thich Nhat Hanh, Ajahn Chah, and Dipa Ma, and has been ordained as a monk in the Thai Forest tradition.
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Kornfield's teachings focus on mindfulness, compassion, and the integration of Buddhist practices into daily life. He is known for his accessible, down-to-earth teaching style and his ability to present complex Buddhist concepts in a way that is understandable to people of all backgrounds.
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Kornfield has written many books on Buddhism and meditation, including "A Path with Heart," "The Wise Heart," and "After the Ecstasy, the Laundry." He is highly respected within the Buddhist community and has inspired many people around the world to take up the practice of meditation and mindfulness.
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Joseph Goldstein
https://www.dharma.org/teacher/joseph-goldstein/
https://www.spiritrock.org/joseph-goldstein
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is an American Insight Meditation teacher and author who is well-known for his teachings on mindfulness and for his books on Buddhism and meditation. He is a co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society (IMS) in Barre, Massachusetts, and has been teaching Insight Meditation (also known as Vipassana or "clear seeing") for over 45 years.
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Goldstein began studying Buddhism in the late 1960s and spent several years in Asia, where he studied and practiced with a number of influential teachers, including Anagarika Munindra, Mahasi Sayadaw, and U Pandita. In 1976, he co-founded the IMS with Jack Kornfield and Sharon Salzberg, and he has been teaching at the IMS and other centers around the world ever since.
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Goldstein is known for his clear, concise teaching style and his emphasis on the practical application of the Buddha's teachings in daily life. He has written several books on Buddhism and meditation, including "One Dharma: The Emerging Western Buddhism," "Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening," and "The Experience of Insight: A Simple and Direct Guide to Buddhist Meditation."
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Goldstein's teachings and writings have influenced a wide range of people and have helped to introduce many people to the practice of Insight Meditation. He continues to teach and write about Buddhism and mindfulness and is widely respected as a teacher and author in the field.
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Ram Dass (born Richard Alpert)
https://beherenownetwork.com/category/ram-dass/
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Ram Dass is an American spiritual teacher, author, and former academic who is well-known for his teachings on spirituality and mindfulness. He is particularly associated with the Hindu-influenced spiritual movement known as the "counterculture" of the 1960s and 1970s.
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Ram Dass became interested in spiritual practices and teachings while he was a psychology professor at Harvard University, where he conducted research on psychoactive drugs and spiritual experiences. In the late 1960s, he traveled to India and met his guru, Neem Karoli Baba, who gave him the name Ram Dass, which means "servant of God."
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Upon his return to the United States, Ram Dass became a popular spiritual teacher and author, and he has written many books on spiritual practices, mindfulness, and personal growth. He is known for his teachings on love, compassion, and service, and his book "Be Here Now" has become a classic in the field of spiritual literature.
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Ram Dass has influenced a wide range of people with his teachings and has been a pioneer in bringing Eastern spiritual practices and teachings to the West. Ram Dass dies in 2019 but his work continues to be influential today.
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Alan Watts
https://beherenownetwork.com/category/alan-watts/
was a British philosopher and writer known for his popular lectures and books on the intersection of Eastern and Western philosophy, particularly Zen Buddhism. He is best known for his work in the 1950s and 1960s, during which he helped to introduce Eastern philosophy to a Western audience.
Alan Watts was interested in a number of Eastern philosophies, including Taoism. Taoism is a Chinese philosophical tradition that emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao, or the natural order of the universe. It is based on the teachings of the Tao Te Ching, a book attributed to the ancient Chinese philosopher Laozi.
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Watts wrote and lectured extensively about Taoism, and his work helped to introduce many Westerners to this ancient philosophy. In his book "The Way of Zen," he wrote about the importance of living in the present moment and finding balance and harmony in life. He also wrote about the concept of wu wei, or non-action, which is central to Taoist thought. According to this idea, the best way to achieve one's goals is to let go of the need to control and simply allow things to unfold naturally.
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Watts's writing on Taoism was informed by his own study of the philosophy, as well as by his personal experiences and insights. He believed that the wisdom of Taoism could be applied to modern life, and his work helped to introduce many people to this ancient tradition.
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Tsoknyi Rinpoche:
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Tsoknyi Rinpoche is a Tibetan Buddhist master and teacher who is known for his teachings on Dzogchen, a practice that focuses on the natural state of mind. He is the son of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, a highly regarded Tibetan lama, and the older brother of Mingyur Rinpoche.
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Tsoknyi Rinpoche was born in Nepal in 1966 and received his traditional Tibetan Buddhist education from his father and other Tibetan teachers. He has spent much of his life teaching and spreading the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism, particularly the practice of Dzogchen, which he regards as the heart of the Buddha's teachings.
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Tsoknyi Rinpoche's teachings emphasize the importance of developing a clear, stable, and open mind through the practice of mindfulness and awareness. He encourages his students to cultivate a sense of curiosity and openness towards their own experience, and to see the world around them as a source of constant learning and growth.
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Tsoknyi Rinpoche has written several books on Tibetan Buddhism and meditation, including "Fearless Simplicity: The Dzogchen Way of Living Freely in a Complex World" and "Open Heart, Open Mind: Awakening the Power of Essence Love." He is highly respected within the Tibetan Buddhist community and has inspired many people around the world to take up the practice of meditation and mindfulness.
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Alan Wallace
is a Buddhist scholar, teacher, and writer who has written and translated numerous books on Buddhism and meditation. He has studied and practiced Buddhism for over 45 years and has a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Stanford University. Wallace has also received traditional Tibetan Buddhist training in India and Nepal, and has taught Buddhist philosophy, meditation, and related subjects at universities and institutes around the world.
He is the founder and president of the Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies, which is dedicated to the scientific study of consciousness and the promotion of contemplative practices such as meditation. Some of his notable works include "The Attention Revolution: Unlocking the Power of the Focused Mind" and "The Four Immeasurables: Cultivating a Boundless Heart."
Alan Wallace has had a long association with the Dalai Lama and has served as his translator, interpreter, and personal assistant on numerous occasions. He has also worked closely with the Dalai Lama on various projects and initiatives, including the development of the Emory-Tibet Science Initiative, which aims to integrate modern science and traditional Tibetan Buddhist knowledge. In addition to his work with the Dalai Lama, Wallace has also studied and practiced Buddhism for many years, and has received traditional Tibetan Buddhist training in India and Nepal. He is highly respected in the Tibetan Buddhist community and is known for his deep knowledge of Buddhist teachings and his ability to present them in a way that is accessible and relevant to contemporary audiences.
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Eckhart Tolle
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​spiritual teacher and writer known for his teachings on mindfulness and living in the present moment. He is the author of several books, including "The Power of Now" and "A New Earth", which have been bestsellers and have been translated into many languages.
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Tolle's teachings are based on the idea that the source of suffering and unhappiness is identification with the ego, and that by becoming aware of and letting go of the ego, we can experience a sense of peace and contentment. He emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and living in the here and now as a way to connect to a deeper sense of purpose and meaning in life.
teachings
are:
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Living in the here and now: Tolle emphasizes the importance of living in the here and now rather than focusing on the past or the future.
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Letting go of the ego: The ego is the source of suffering and unhappiness, so letting go of it can help us experience peace and contentment.
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Mindfulness: By focusing our attention on the here and now, we can become aware of our thoughts and emotions and learn to deal with stress and emotional problems.
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Compassion: By focusing on the here and now, we can develop more compassion for ourselves and others.
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Longchenpa Rabjam (14th-century)
https://www.shambhala.com/longchenpa-a-guide-for-readers/
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Longchenpa was Tibetan Buddhist master who was renowned for his teachings on Dzogchen, a tradition within Tibetan Buddhism that emphasizes the innate, awakened nature of the mind. Longchenpa made a significant impact on the development of the Nyingma tradition.
The Nyingma tradition is one of the oldest and most influential schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The word "Nyingma" means "ancient," and the tradition is so named because it is considered to be the oldest of the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
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The Nyingma tradition has its roots in the teachings of Padmasambhava, an 8th-century Indian Buddhist master who played a key role in the spread of Buddhism in Tibet. The Nyingma tradition emphasizes the study and practice of the Dzogchen teachings, which are a system of teachings that focus on the nature of the mind and the realization of one's inherent, awakened state.
In addition to the Dzogchen teachings, the Nyingma tradition also includes a wide range of practices, including tantric rituals and visualizations, the recitation of mantras, and the use of various deities and deities. The tradition also places a strong emphasis on the importance of the guru-student relationship, and many practitioners seek out a qualified spiritual teacher to guide them on the path.
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Overall, the Nyingma tradition is known for its emphasis on the importance of personal experience and the realization of one's own inherent, awakened nature, as well as its rich and varied system of practices and teachings. Longchenpa emphasizes the importance of cultivating a consistent meditation practice and engaging in self-inquiry as a way to discover the true nature of the mind. He teaches that through the practice of meditation and self-inquiry, we can realize the inherent purity and awakened nature of the mind and experience a sense of freedom and liberation.
The nature of the mind is inherently pure and awakened: According to Longchenpa, the true nature of the mind is pure, clear, and radiant, and is characterized by qualities such as openness, clarity, and spontaneous presence. He teaches that this pure, awakened nature is our inherent, natural state, and that it is always present, even if we are not aware of it.
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Longchenpa frequently refers to the concept of "rigpa," which can be translated as "pure awareness" or "pure consciousness." This refers to the inherent, radiant nature of the mind, which is seen as the source of all wisdom and compassion.
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​The concept of non duality plays an important role in the teachings of Lonchenpa, which refers to the idea that there is no fundamental separation between the individual and the world around them. Instead, everything is seen as interconnected and interdependent, and the ultimate nature of reality is seen as a single, undivided whole.
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As most Buddhist teachers a central theme is to work on compassion and loving-kindness towards oneself and others as a way to awaken the heart and bring about a sense of inner peace and well-being.
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Thich Nhat Hanh
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Thich Nhat Hanh is a Vietnamese Zen master, spiritual leader, and peace activist. He is the founder of the Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism, a monastic community in France that emphasizes mindfulness, social engagement, and environmental sustainability.
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Thich Nhat Hanh was born in Vietnam in 1926 and ordained as a Buddhist monk at the age of 16. He has spent much of his life working for peace and reconciliation in Vietnam and around the world, and has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize several times.
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Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings focus on mindfulness, which he defines as the practice of being fully present in the present moment. He encourages his students to cultivate mindfulness through meditation, mindful breathing, and other mindfulness practices. He also emphasizes the importance of compassion, understanding, and loving-kindness in our relationships with ourselves and others.
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Thich Nhat Hanh has written many books on Buddhism and mindfulness, including "The Miracle of Mindfulness," "Peace is Every Step," and "The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching." His teachings have been influential in the spread of Buddhism in the West and have inspired many people to take up the practice of mindfulness.
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Seneca
Roman philosopher, statesman, orator, and playwright who lived from approximately 4 BCE to 65 CE. He was born in Corduba (present-day Córdoba, Spain) and came from a wealthy and influential family. Seneca is often recognized as one of the key figures in the philosophy of Stoicism, a school of thought that he practiced and advocated throughout his life.
Seneca served as an advisor to Emperor Nero, who was his former student. However, their relationship later deteriorated, and Seneca faced accusations that led to his forced suicide in 65 CE. Despite his political career, Seneca is best remembered for his philosophical works, which include essays, letters, and tragedies.
His philosophical writings cover a wide range of topics, including ethics, morality, and the pursuit of a virtuous life. Seneca's letters to his friend Lucilius, compiled as "Letters to Lucilius" or "Epistulae Morales ad Lucilium," provide practical advice on how to live a Stoic life and navigate various challenges. Letters to Lucilius is very readable and is a source of wisdom.
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