Way of Compassion Dharma Center

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna gives his last dharma talk from the text, “How to Meditate on the Stages of the Path”. In this final session he continues to offer commentary on the wisdom aspect of Buddhism that aims to eliminate the roots of suffering. This episode was recorded on May 13th, 2026. 

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a t...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna guides us deeper into Buddhist wisdom. He helps us deepen our understanding and practices for cultivating the deeper states of wisdom that alleviate suffering in our lives. This episode was recorded on May 6th, 2026.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If y...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna offers guidance regarding the wisdom aspect of Buddhism. He describes how the sense of self that we have is a dependently originated phenomenon that is actually empty of any inherent existence. Importantly, John helps us understand how we need to engage in cultivating a healthy sense of self first before we can be successful in realizing these deeper truths on the Buddhist path. This episode was recorded on April 29th, 2026.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna hosts a discussion and offers commentary about how we can engage with the perfection of wisdom in our daily lives. He encourages us to explore how dependent origination and emptiness impact our experience and then gives guidance on ultimate and conventional reality which are known as the two truths. This episode was recorded on April 22nd, 2026.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna dives deeper into the perfection of wisdom within the Mahayana path of Tibetan Buddhism. He skillfully presents how our misperception of reality is the root of our suffering and then offers a variety of practices as methods for slowly clarifying our view of reality and thus relieving suffering from our experience. This episode was recorded on April 15th, 2026.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna continues last week’s discussion on the Perfection of Wisdom in the text “How to Meditate on the Stages of the Path”. He introduces and gives guidance on three different types of wisdom that are presented in the text, while also more broadly discussing various wisdoms that we will encounter on the Path to Awakening. This episode was recorded on April 8th, 2026.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and pr...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna begins his commentary on the topic of the perfection of wisdom. He gives us some practical steps to take that can help us to experience the positive shifts that wisdom can have in our lives while keeping in touch with the depth of wisdom that will eventually free us from all suffering. This episode was recorded on April 1st, 2026.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna offers a clarifying talk about the practice of shamatha meditation, also known as calm abiding. He gives useful guidance on how to encourage this meditation practice in our lives, describes its many benefits, and uncovers some obstacles we will face when seeking to cultivate shamatha. This episode was recorded on March 25th, 2026.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna focuses on the topic of training the mind in attention by giving clear guidance on the practice of shamatha and its benefits. He also describes how concentration and the other 5 perfections weave together and support one another on the path to enlightenment. This episode was recorded on March 18th, 2026.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna discusses one of the main obstacles to our Dharma Practice called the Laziness of Busyness. He gives us many examples of how this obstacle shows up in our lives and encourages a shift in our motivation which can transform the busyness of daily life into a path to awakening. This episode was recorded on March 11th, 2026.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna offers a commentary on The Perfection of Joyous Effort. He speaks about the benefits of this practice and some obstacles that prevent us from engaging in meaningful dharma practice. This episode was recorded on March 4th, 2026.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are o...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna offers an overview of the path through a brief description of the Noble Eightfold Path. He then specifically focuses on the importance of ethics by expanding on the truth that all happiness comes from virtue. This episode was recorded on February 25th, 2026.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist c...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna teaches on Losar, welcoming in the year of the Fire Horse with a teaching about the 3 higher trainings of ethics, wisdom, and concentration. He follows these foundational and transformative teachings with a Chenrezig purification practice focused on the 4 opponent powers. This episode was recorded on February 18th, 2026.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna offers a talk on patience and renunciation. He offers a modern interpretation of these two important aspects of living a meaningful life based in wisdom which will lead us to an experience of genuine happiness. This episode was recorded on February 11th, 2026.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, a...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna teaches on the perfection of generosity within the context of the 6 perfections of Tibetan Buddhism. He describes how generosity counteracts our attachment and self-centeredness, which are the roots of our suffering, and offers practical guidance on how to engage in generosity in our daily lives. This episode was recorded on February 4th, 2026.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs...

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna clarifies the powerfully transformative practice of tonglen. He speaks about this practice of giving and taking as an antidote to the root of our suffering, self-centeredness, and also guides us in a tonglen meditation practice. This episode was recorded on January 28th, 2026.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, a...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna continues his commentary on “How to Meditate on the Stages of the Path”. This week he gives practical guidance on how we can engage with practices to slowly transform cherishing ourselves to cherishing others, while still maintaining a healthy sense of self-worth. This episode was recorded on January 21st, 2026.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we se...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna gives in-depth commentary and guidance on the benefits of cherishing others. He speaks about how we can engage with cherishing others in wise and compassionate ways that encourage a recognition of the reality of interdependence while maintaining healthy self-care that will keep us fueled up for the journey to Enlightenment. This episode was recorded on January 14th, 2026.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna gives commentary and guidance on how self-centeredness is at the core of our suffering. He offers advice on how we can balance our need for self-care while slowly eliminating self-centeredness from our actions. This episode was recorded on January 7th, 2026.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of o...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna gives his commentary on the disadvantages of self-centeredness. He gives a variety of practical techniques to slowly overcome this habitual pattern through recognizing more accurately how we exist in the world. John also mentions that the more we can come to know our Buddha Nature and be guided by our primordial wisdom, the less we will suffer. This episode was recorded on December 24th, 2025.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna covers one of the meditation methods for cultivating Bodhicitta known as Equalizing oneself with others. He offers approachable steps for engaging in the brief and extensive versions of this meditation that encourage the core motivation of the Mahayana path. This episode was recorded on December 17th, 2025.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna continues his commentary on the text “How to Meditate on the Stages of the Path” by Kathleen McDonald. The focus of this talk is on how self-centeredness is a basis of our suffering and how recognizing the interdependent nature of our lives leads us closer to liberation This episode was recorded on December 10th, 2025.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna comes to the culminating phase of the seven-point cause and result for cultivating bodhicitta. This seventh and final point, which is developing the motivation of bodhicitta, is the result of the previous 6 points that were covered in detail over the past several dharma talks. Bodhicitta is the aspiration and engagement in the path to become a fully enlightened Buddha so that one can be of most benefit in leading every sentient being to their own awakening. This episode was recorded on December 3rd, 2025.

Welcome to the Way of...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna introduces a variety of graduated steps that will lead us to the great resolve of bodhicitta, in which one takes on the personal responsibility of removing the suffering of every sentient being. He invites us to keep this vision in our minds while offering practical practices that meet us where we are in our journey. This episode was recorded on November 26th, 2025.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna teaches us some valuable techniques for cultivating love. He suggests meditation methods that can aid in our cultivation of loving kindness for ourselves, our loved ones, strangers, and people who challenge us. This episode was recorded on November 12th, 2025.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our t...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna offers commentary on how we can cultivate great compassion known as bodhicitta by repaying the kindness of others. He speaks about how the urge to repay the kindness of others arises naturally when we reflect on the kindness we have received. This episode was recorded on November 5th, 2025.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna continues to discuss how we can develop the foundation and motivation of the Mahayana path: Great Compassion. He speaks about how Bodhicitta begins with equanimity and then moves to seeing all beings as having been our kind mothers. John gives a variety of entry points to this challenging task and offers practical guidance suited for our Western minds. This episode was recorded on October 29th, 2025.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna continues to give commentary on the text “How to Meditate on the Stages of the Path”. He unpacks the first two points in the seven-fold cause and effect, focused on the cultivation of bodhicitta. Various perspectives are offered on the methods to develop compassion for all beings and to explore our connection to one another. This episode was recorded on October 22nd, 2025.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna gives guidance on how we can train in the skill of equanimity. He gives many valuable perspective shifts that help us engage with people who harm us or harm others. Equanimity is the baseline for cultivating Bodhicitta, which is the only motivation that will lead us to the Enlightenment of a Buddha. This episode was recorded on October 15th, 2025.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna offers a variety of techniques for developing equanimity for three different categories of people: friends, enemies, and strangers. He describes how to meet ourselves where we are. and encourages us to expand our circle of loving care to those who are strangers or who have harmed us. This episode was recorded on October 8th, 2025.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna talks about how bodhicitta is the foundation of the Mahayana path of Buddhism. He spends time during this teaching speaking about the benefits of great compassion that engages in actions to free all sentient beings from samsara. This episode was recorded on October 1st, 2025.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional B...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna continues his commentary on the text “How to Meditate on the Stages of the Path.” He discusses how renunciation is a gateway to great compassion, also known as "bodhicitta" in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. This episode was recorded on September 24th, 2025.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of ou...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna continues to give his commentary on the text “How to Meditate on the Stages of the Path.” John discusses the subject of Bodhicitta, also known as Great Compassion in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.  He takes us step by step along the journey of generating an aspiration for Bodhicitta, which is the underlying motivation for enlightenment. This episode was recorded on September 17th, 2025.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and pr...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna continues to give his commentary on the text “How to Meditate on the Stages of the Path.” The section of the text that he discusses is focused on the four doors to downfalls which are: not knowing, carelessness, lack of respect, and delusions. This episode was recorded on September 10th, 2025.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the comm...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna offers a clarifying commentary on the benefits of ethics in our lives and specifically on the path to Enlightenment. He describes how ethics paves the way for deeper states of concentration and eventual realization of emptiness that will free us from Samsara. This episode was recorded on September 3rd, 2025.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna speaks about the relationship between ethics, concentration, and wisdom within the Buddhist context of the three higher trainings. He spends much of this session helping us understand how to begin to view things as they really exist without undermining the valid view of our conventional reality. This episode was recorded on August 27th, 2025.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna focuses in on the antidotes to suffering. He presents a commentary that invites us to bring practical practices into our daily lives to slowly yet consistently erode misperceptions that lie at the root of our dissatisfaction and stresses. This episode was recorded on August 20th, 2025.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a t...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna offers commentary on the text “How to Meditate on the Stages of the Path.” This talk focuses on the third noble truth, which is the reality that samsara can be healed from the root through the medicine of wisdom. True cessation is the Buddhist promise of complete freedom from suffering and is achieved through the path of awakening. This episode was recorded on August 13th, 2025.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of B...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna discusses what it means to have a meaningful death. He includes a description of the 8 phases of dissolution as taught in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and also describes his personal experience of attending to his teacher Geshe Gyeltsen’s transition and some of the signs of high accomplishment he witnessed at his time of death. This episode was recorded on August 6th, 2025.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies an...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna continues to comment on the Text “How to Meditate on the Stages of the Path” by offering clear guidance and commentary on the Six factors that cause delusions to arise. This episode was recorded on July 30th, 2025.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teach...