Talk
Listen to the guided meditation ad-free here
Whether one is a Buddhist seeking complete enlightenment, a human being striving to live a meaningful and fulfilling life, or someone from any spiritual tradition, the three higher trainings offer practical instructions to radically improve the quality of life and support spiritual aspirations without limitations.
In modern times, Western psychology has developed numerous methods to address the mental and emotional challenges so prevalent today. Techniques to reduce cognitive dissonance help alleviate self-criticism and feelings of low self-worth. Cognitive behavioral therapy empowers individuals to identify thinking errors and cognitive distortions that lead to stress, worry, and fear. Additionally, various therapeutic approaches now incorporate mindfulness, equipping people with tools to self-regulate during heightened mental and emotional states.
These advances in psychological treatment have deeply inspired John Bruna, this month’s Ghatika Monthly speaker. Witnessing the the profound healing these treatments have brought to many, John is also struck by how well they pair with the foundational teachings of the Buddha—which have effectively addressed afflictive mental and emotional states for over two thousand years. The three categories of the Noble Eightfold Path—ethics, concentration, and wisdom—form the basis of the three higher trainings. These timeless practices offer a pathway to eliminate suffering and cultivate genuine happiness for individuals of any culture or spiritual belief system.
The practice of ethics fosters self-worth and helps to reduce cognitive distortions. Concentration forms the foundation for mindfulness and emotional stability, cultivating a state of equanimity. Finally, wisdom dispels the misperceptions that give rise to mental and emotional suffering.
In this talk, guided meditation, and Q&A, John explores how to integrate these transformative teachings into our modern, daily lives, uncovering the freedom and joy they can bring.
About John Bruna
John Bruna is the spiritual director and primary teacher at the Way of Compassion Dharma Center in Carbondale, Colorado. He is a former Buddhist monk of Gaden Shartse Monastery, transitioning from monastic life in 2012. During his transition back into the life of a lay practitioner, John sought guidance from Lama Alan Wallace and has been guided by his precious teachings since.
What is Ghatika Monthly?
Ghatika Monthly is an in-person and virtual gathering held on the 2nd Saturday of every month, in which CCR expert teachers offer accessible guidance in foundational yet transformative contemplative practices. Ghatika is the Sanskrit term for one 24-minute meditation session, which is a recommended length for beginning meditators. While most of the CCR’s expert teachers come from a Buddhist background, these sessions are designed to be secular, informative, and welcoming to beginning and advanced practitioners alike. At Ghatika Monthly, we hope to offer a taste of the contemplative technology that our full-time contemplatives cultivate for 8–12 hours per day at Miyo Samten Ling Hermitage in Crestone.
1 Carmelite Way P.O. Box 881 Crestone, CO 81131 info@centerforcontemplativeresearch.org Privacy Policy