Training the Mind: An Introduction

Training the mind brings a number of benefits to our hectic lives.  In this short support program, Kyabgön Phakchok Rinpoche instructs us in a step-by-step approach to working with our own minds.  We begin observing and working with our usual mental processes.  Here, Rinpoche refers to our customary state of mental activity as “active mind”.  We know that our minds are very busy. And particularly in the last decade, our constant busyness has increased with our use of technology.  Our minds flicker here and there, reacting to all sorts of stimuli.  Instinctively, we may know that we need to change something.  But how do we go about that?

Training the mind is a gradual process.  We will need to first examine and get to know how our minds jump about. And, in this process, we may discover some surprising things.  We may never have thought much about our mental processes.  In a few short segments, Rinpoche provides us with tools that we can use to begin examining.  In this program, you will receive easy-to-follow instructions on interrupting our habitual patterns.  And importantly, through this interruption, we can learn how to be less reactive.

Support program structure

This program offers traditional Buddhist meditation practices presented in an accessible and modern approach.  Rinpoche shows how the 2500-year-old teachings of the Buddha are applicable and relevant for training modern, highly plugged-in minds.  We offer here several video clips from a live teaching given in Bangkok in early 2017.  Along with the videos, we provide written summaries and additional materials.

Additionally, we have compiled a series of reflection exercises that we suggest you follow.  These exercises are based upon the video teachings. Following Rinpoche’s instructions, we suggest practical ways with which to apply the training.  Through engaging in these short exercises, you can learn to take charge of your own mind.  Finally, we encourage you to use our course forum to pose questions and to discuss your experience with the exercises.