Way of Compassion Dharma Center

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. This episode was recorded on August 23rd, 2023. 

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 you would li...

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. This episode was recorded on August 16th, 2023. 

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 t...

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna unpacks teachings on prayers and rituals by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron. John gives guidance that prayers alone won't lead us further on the path to awakening. He describes the interplay and importance of prayer with our virtuous actions and gives clarity on how prayers act as nurturing conditions for the seed of awakening to grow in our hearts and minds. This episode was recorded on August 9th, 2023.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma...

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna gives a powerful commentary on the text Approaching Buddhism by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron. John unpacks the topics of purification and accumulation of spiritual merit, bringing to light how important these practices are for our wisdom to grow on the path to Enlightenment. He also discusses the importance of motivation and the role it plays in ensuring our virtuous actions propel us along the path of awakening. This episode was recorded on August 2nd, 2023.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in...

The Way of Compassion Dharma Center's spiritual director, John Bruna, discusses the topic of blessings in Tibetan Buddhism. He speaks about how blessings are received through the dependent origination of teachings of Holy beings and our practice. John tells some stories of his teachers and how they have guided him to understand that one main way we receive blessings is through the teachings of the Buddhas that lead to release from suffering. This episode was recorded on July 26th, 2023. 

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma c...

The Way of Compassion Dharma Center's spiritual director, John Bruna, gives commentary on wisdom and faith as presented in the text Approaching the Buddhist Path by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron. He discusses how the three types of faith in Tibetan Buddhism build upon each other and lead us to a deep experience of trusting and having confidence in the teachings. He also gives a rich and meaningful discussion on bringing these teachings into our daily lives so that we can develop confidence in our own capabilities to actualize the teachings. This episode was...

The Way of Compassion Dharma Center's spiritual director, John Bruna, offers practical guidance on the mental tools that one uses to engage in Dharma practice. He gives guidance on how to find balance between our formal practice and being engaged in daily life. He also explains how we can integrate Dharma practice into all of our daily activities. This episode was recorded on July 12th, 2023. 

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 p...

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna clarifies the technical aspects of the two aims and four reliances as described in the Tibetan Buddhist Lam Rim teachings. He also answers questions about dependent arising and causal dependency as presented in the text. This episode was recorded on July 5th, 2023. 

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, al...

In this session, John Bruna, the spiritual director of the Way of Compassion Dharma Center, gives a powerful teaching on the different motivations for different levels of practitioners. His commentary specifically focuses on how the four noble truths and conduct relate to the three levels of motivations outlined for Buddhist practitioners. This episode was recorded on June 21st, 2023.

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...

John Bruna, the spiritual director of the Way of Compassion Dharma Center, offers a teaching on the different scopes of practice as discussed in Tibetan Buddhism. He encourages us to know where our practice is in relation to these paths and to be gentle with ourselves as we progress through these various motivations. This episode was recorded on June 7th, 2023.

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, John Bruna, the spiritual director of the Way of Compassion Dharma Center, unpacks the skillful means and wisdom aspects of the Eight Verses of Mind Training. He gives simple guidance for understanding the dynamics of dependent origination and subjective experience in daily life. This episode was recorded on June 7th, 2023.

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...

John Bruna, the spiritual director of the Way of Compassion Dharma Center, provides insightful instruction on the eighth verse of mind training. He illuminates how our motivations are key in drawing distinctions between actions based in the eight worldly concerns or actions that are authentic Dharma. This episode was recorded on May 31st, 2023.

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...

The Way of Compassion Dharma Center spiritual director, John Bruna, helps us understand and integrate teachings on cultivating love and compassion for those individuals who have hurt us deeply. He illuminates how engaging in a relationship with a transactional mindset sets us up for suffering and how our expectations of others should be realistic. John also clarifies how forgiving someone is a step that allows us to stop suffering. This episode was recorded on May 17th, 2023.

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

John Bruna, the spiritual director of the Way of Compassion Dharma Center, offers a teaching and guidance on the fifth verse of the eight verses of mind training as taught in Tibetan Buddhism:

Whenever others out of jealousy,
mistreat me with abuse, slander, and so on,
I will practice accepting defeat,
and offering the victory to them.

John gives clarity on how to practice this verse in daily life that encourages our tolerance and helps us avoid arguments.

This episode was recorded on May 10th, 2023.

Welcome to the...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna gives commentary on verse four of the Eight Verses of Mind Training:

Whenever I see ill-natured beings,
Or those overwhelmed by heavy misdeeds or suffering,
I will cherish them as something rare,
As though I’d found a priceless treasure.

 He gives a clear pathway to transforming our perspectives on the challenging people in our lives. He suggests seeing these people as precious opportunities to enhance our fortitude, empathy and compassion. This episode was recorded on May 3rd, 2023.

Welcome to the Way of Com...

In this episode, John Bruna, the spiritual director of the Way of Compassion Dharma Center, offers commentary and guidance on the third verse of the Eight Verses of Mind Training.

In all actions I will observe my mind 

And the moment a disturbing emotion arises

Endangering myself and others

I will firmly confront and avert it.

John offers practical methods and mind-training techniques to put this verse into practice in our daily lives. This episode was recorded on April 26th, 2023.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma C...

In this episode, John Bruna, the spiritual director of the Way of Compassion Dharma Center, offers guidance and clarity on the second of eight verses of Mind Training. He talks about cultivating a baseline of equanimity and recognizing that everyone we encounter has something to teach us. In addition, John illustrates how seeing ourselves as teachable and equal to others lessens our insecurities and the mental afflictions that arise from self-centeredness. This episode was recorded on April 19th, 2023.

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

In this session, John Bruna, the spiritual director of the Way of Compassion Dharma Center, offers a helpful modern perspective on the Eight Verses of Mind Training as presented in the Tibetan Buddhist lineages.  He specifically speaks about how recognizing other sentient beings as precious is essential for our journey to spiritual awakening. This episode was recorded on April 5th, 2023.

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 n...

John Bruna, spiritual director of the Way of Compassion Dharma Center, offers practical and powerful guidance on Buddhist mind training. He describes how our suffering doesn't so much come from the events of life, but rather from how we relate to the events in our lives. John introduces many ways that we can cultivate the awakened mind by transforming both felicity and adversity into the path of Enlightenment. This episode was recorded on March 29th, 2023.

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

John Bruna, the spiritual director of the Way of Compassion Foundation, talks about the Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and practice of great compassion. In this session, he describes many benefits of altruism and introduces many wisdom perspectives that will help us live with less suffering. He describes how traditional Tibetan Buddhist teachings on compassion have been adjusted to suit a western mindset and gives practical instruction on how to grow compassion in our hearts and minds. This episode was recorded on March 22nd, 2023.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way...

In this episode, John Bruna, the spiritual director of the Way of Compassion Dharma Center, offers commentary and guidance on the text "Approaching the Buddhist Path" by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron. John unpacks a section of text devoted to bodhicitta known in Tibetan Buddhism as the great compassion. He gives helpful advice on cultivating compassion in daily life and in analytical meditations. This episode was recorded March 15th, 2023.

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...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna goes in depth on the importance of our motivation in Dharma practice. He outlines four different motivations of practitioners and offers a variety of different entry points into the Buddhist path. John then gives practical and powerful instruction on how we can transform our daily activities into the treasure of genuine happiness through our motivation. This episode was recorded March 1st, 2023.

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, John Bruna, the spiritual director of the Way of Compassion Dharma Center, gives commentary and guidance for entering the Buddhist Path through the doors of kindness and compassion. He also speaks about the dynamic of creating a healthy sense of self while engaging in activities that don’t enhance self-importance. John describes how self-centered behavior is the root of suffering on the Mahayana path and how with our engagement of equanimity we can equally value ourselves and others. This episode was recorded on February 22nd, 2023.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Loc...

In this episode John Bruna, the spiritual director of the Way of Compassion Foundation, offers commentary on the text "Approaching Buddhism" by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Thubten Chodron. John gives clarity on what the four authenticities are and how to practically gain faith in the path of Buddha Dharma. This episode was recorded on February 15th, 2023.

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...

John Bruna, spiritual director of the Way of Compassion Dharma Center, continues to give commentary on the text "Approaching the Buddhist Path" by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron. John discusses the roots of Buddhism by giving a history of the Buddhas life and teachings. He discusses the importance and interrelationship between different lineages of Buddhism and finishes the talk with a look into the three turnings of the wheel of Dharma. This episode was recorded on February 8th, 2023. 

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way o...

John Bruna, the spiritual director of the Way of Compassion Dharma Center, continues the discussion in the text "Approaching Buddhism" by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron. In this session, John focuses in on interdependence and the countless causes and conditions that give us the life we have. He discusses how successful civilizations have worked cooperatively and how self-centeredness does not lead to flourishing in societies. John also brings the sharp sword of wisdom by revealing how we identify with things that aren't me and mine and how we don't know who we are. This is...

The Way of Compassion Dharma Center's spiritual director, John Bruna, engages in conversation and guidance around cultivating a good state of mind.  John begins by answering questions about karma and the realms of existence as described from the Buddhist perspective. He then unpacks the teachings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron on growing a good state of mind. He gives practical ways to engage in practices that can bring contentment, understanding, tolerance, compassion, love, and much more. We don't just have to pull the weeds from our gardens, we can also grow flowers. This episode w...

John Bruna, the Spiritual Director of the Way of Compassion Dharma Center, provides practical guidance and methods to cultivate constructive actions. He speaks about how we can strengthen our ability to engage in actions with compassion and wisdom through familiarity. John also points out how our own self-critical attitude is a manifestation of our mental afflictions which are not our true nature. This episode was recorded on January 11th, 2023.

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...

John Bruna, the Spiritual Director of the Way of Compassion Dharma Center, continues to offer his commentary on the text "Approaching the Buddhist Path" by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chödron. In this episode, John taps into the heart of love and compassion, that from a Buddhist perspective are at the very core of who we are. John offers clear guidance on how to cultivate equal concern and care for all others, allowing us to go beyond our usual categories of friends, enemies, and strangers. This episode was recorded on January 4th, 2023.

Welcome t...

John Bruna, the Spiritual Director of the Way of Compassion Dharma Center, continues to offer his commentary on the text "Approaching Buddhism" by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chödron. John is known for translating the Dharma to make it practical and accessible for the daily life of a westerner. In this session, John gives simple and powerful instructions on how to cultivate a powerful daily practice that swiftly moves one along the path of full awakening. This episode was recorded on December 28th, 2022.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located i...

John Bruna, the spiritual director of the Way of Compassion, continues his commentary on the text Approaching the Buddhist Path, by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chödron. John is known for clearly translating the Dharma into practical and accessible teachings for individuals with a western mind. In this session, John offers clarity on analytical meditation and in particular meditation on great compassion as taught about in Tibetan Buddhism. This episode was recorded on December 21st, 2022.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma c...

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna offers a variety of perspectives based in wisdom that act as antidotes to our mentally afflicted states. He also speaks about how important context and integration are in relation to the various practices, rituals, and teachings that we receive. This episode was recorded on December 14th, 2022.

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...

John Bruna, the spiritual director of the Way of Compassion Foundation continues to offer guidance and clarity around more subtle afflictions of the mind. He offers a variety of antidotes to our afflictive states and also explains the importance of the four opponent powers of purification and the relationship that practice has to the cultivation of wisdom. This episode was recorded on December 7th, 2022.

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...

John Bruna, Spiritual Director of the Way of Compassion Dharma Center, continues to offer commentary and guidance on the text "Approaching the Buddhist Path" by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron. John brings the teachings of training the mind right into our daily lives in this session focused on working with afflictions in our minds. This episode was recorded November 30th, 2022.

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 continues commentary on the theme of emotional intelligence, referencing the text Approaching the Buddhist Path by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron. John offers clear, practical guidance on training the mind by recognizing and applying antidotes to mental afflictions, while cultivating wisdom and compassion. This episode was recorded on November 23rd, 2022.

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...

John Bruna, the spiritual director of the Way of Compassion Dharma Center, discusses emotions from modern psychological and Buddhist perspectives . He discusses how emotions can be helpful and even save our lives. On the other hand, emotions rooted in exaggeration and projection can be quite harmful to ourselves and others. John offers clear examples of destructive and constructive emotions and methods for applying antidotes for destructive emotions while cultivating constructive emotions. This episode was recorded on November 16th, 2022. 

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

John Bruna, the spiritual director of the Way of Compassion Foundation, continues to offer commentary and guidance on the text "Approaching Buddhism" by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chödron. In this session, John gives guidance around disillusionment stemming from unrealistic expectations. This episode was recorded on November 9th, 2022. 

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 tra...

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna continues teaching about anger. He offers commentary on different perspectives of anger and how the different paths in Buddhism approach this emotion in a variety of ways. John brings in the wisdom of dependent origination as a powerful antidote to our habitual tendency to point outward at the cause of our anger. He also offers a variety of additional antidotes to protect ourselves and others from the damage caused by afflictive anger. This episode was recorded on November 2nd, 2022.

Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in...

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna discusses the different aspects of fear and anger as mentally afflictive states and wisdom. He offers clarity and guidance on the tendency to exaggerate situations as an important aspect of identifying afflictive fear and anger. John also gives practical guidance on how to respond to the events of our lives through compassion that can also be powerful and sharp when needed. This episode was recorded on October 26th, 2022.

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

John Bruna, spiritual director of the Way of Compassion Dharma Center, gives guidance around the Buddhist view of emotional intelligence. Positive emotions lead to positive future circumstances and negative emotions lead to negative future circumstances. Join us as John gives practical advice on how to bring these teachings into your daily life. This episode was recorded on October 12th, 2022.

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...