What if we could turn even the worst of life’s pain and our challenges into ways for us to be happier, better people?

Well, we can by practicing different lines of inquiry and thought— training our mind.

Tibetan Buddhist practice has an ancient way of training one's mind, called Lojong. This practice has been refined over centuries and is now scientifically proven to improve mood and increase focus. But you don't need to be a Buddhist—or any specific religion at all, for that matter—to benefit from its extensive lessons and practices.

In this short series, Lama Tsomo has chosen a few key elements of Lojong to help you begin to train your mind and flip your perspective of everyday experiences. These small but profound shifts will help you experience yourself and the world around you differently, with greater insight, compassion, and productivity. This course could take you as little as one week to complete but feel free to take your time and savor each lesson.

Course Curriculum

  • 1

    Introduction

    • Mind Training
  • 2

    Mind Training through Lojong

    • Apply Maxims to Your Life

    • Lesson 1: Make Adversity the Path of Awakening

    • Lesson 2: Awakening to what is apparently true and awakening to what is ultimately true.

    • Reflection: What a world!

    • Lesson 3: Work with Whatever You Encounter

    • Lesson 4: Be grateful to everyone.

    • Lesson 5: Be grateful to everyone: What about people who have caused us trouble?

    • Activity: Light the way

    • Lesson 6: When misfortune fills the world and its inhabitants, make adversity the path of awakening.

    • Lesson 7: Drive all blames onto one.

    • Reflection: Improving your practice

    • Why it matters.
  • 3

    Conclusion

    • Ready for more?

About the instructor

Lama Tsomo

Lama Tsomo is an American lama, author, and co-founder of the Namchak Foundation and Namchak Retreat Ranch.Born Linda Pritzker, Lama Tsomo followed a path of spiritual inquiry and study that ultimately led to her ordination as one of the few American lamas in Tibetan Buddhism.