Changing Your Mind: Thought Transformation
with Ven. Tenzin Chogkyi
August 27th to October 22nd (skipping September 24 and October 8th)
7pm-9pm
Main Hall of Pacific Cultural Center
1307 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
These teachings will be offered by donation

- Learn tong-len (Giving and Taking), and other thought transformation techniques
- Train the mind to transform hardships and problems into the spiritual path
- Generate an open, warm heart through the practice of compassion
- Eradicate the self-cherishing mind
“The idea is to do tong-len practice from time to time each day. Especially when you do this practice of taking the sufferings you collect limitless skies of merit each time because you are taking the sufferings for numberless beings and purifying not only this life’s negative karma but also past life negative karma. So the stronger you generate compassion for animals or human beings, then many eons of negative karma get purified. And when you do the practice of giving you purify today’s, this life’s and past lives' negative karma. It purifies many eons of negative karma”.
―Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Lojong, which can be translated as “mind training” or “thought transformation,” are techniques and practices emphasized by the Kadampa masters of Tibet. Because they believed in taking the Buddha’s teachings as personal instruction, they developed these practices especially to strengthen our courageous mind of bodhicitta and destroy our selfishness.
In this series of teachings, the fundamental ideas from several lojong texts will be presented, including the Eight Verses of Thought Transformation by Langri Tangpa, the Seven-Point Thought Transformation by Geshe Chekawa, which includes instruction in tong-len meditation (giving and taking), Parting from the Four Attachments, by Sachen Kunga Nyingpo, and others. The course will also emphasize using the thought transformation teachings in one’s daily life, especially to transform hardships and adversities into the path to awakening. This is the perfect series for people trying to figure out how to integrate the Buddhist teachings with everyday life in this fast-paced early 21st Century. The answer lies in teachings like this!
H.H. The Dalai Lama, who is said to practice tong-len every day, has said of the technique:
"Whether this meditation really helps others or not, it gives me peace of mind. Then I can be more effective, and the benefit is immense".
Every Thursday, for two months, Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi will present techniques explained in the thought transformation texts. These sessions will include instruction, discussion, and guided meditation. Experiential homework exercises and meditations will also be assigned.
Students should have received some basic Buddhist teachings, especially on the lamrim, or Stages of the Path, prior to attending this course. In order to get the most benefit out of the series, it is helpful to attend every class, although not absolutely necessary.
Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi is a seasoned practitioner, who spent six and a half years in solitary retreat, and an amazing teacher with a very interactive down-earth way to present the teachings. Even one of these two-hour classes will give you a key to understanding how to transform the problems in your life into genuine joy.
These classes will be offered by donation.
Ven. Tenzin Chogkyi's spiritual path was meandering and haphazard, and included several dead ends, until she bought a one-way ticket to India in early 1991 with the intention of meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama. She became a student not only of His Holiness, but also of Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche and Lama Zopa Rinpoche during the year she spent studying at Tushita Retreat Center in Dharamsala and Kopan Monastery. In late 1991, she was asked by Lama Zopa Rinpoche to come back to the US to become the co-director of Vajrapani Institute in California. In 1995, she began working at FPMT International Office, first as co-director and then later as center services coordinator. In early 2000, she began a long, solitary retreat that lasted 6½ years. Tenzin Chogkyi decided to become ordained in the third year of her long retreat, and then left retreat for a quick trip to India in 2004 for novice ordination with His Holiness. When she emerged from retreat in the summer of 2006, she moved to Land of Medicine Buddha, where she taught both at LMB and the local community center in Santa Cruz, in addition to teaching in prisons, facilitating a support group for women with chronic illness, and providing spiritual support to hospice patients. In the summer of 2008 she embarked on the “homeless life” and has been teaching at various centers worldwide.
SUGGESTED READING
The Door to Satisfaction, by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Wisdom Publications
Transforming Problems into Happiness, by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Wisdom Publications
Start Where You Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living, by Pema Chodron, Shambala Publications
Always Maintain a Joyful Mind, by Pema Chodron, Shambala Publications
Training the Mind and Cultivating Loving-Kindness, by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Shambala Publications
Parting from the Four Attachments, by Chogye Trichen Rinpoche, Snow Lion Publications
Advice from a Spiritual Friend, by Geshe Rabten and Geshe Ngawang Dhargye, Wisdom Publications
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