Google Tech Talks
October 3, 2008
ABSTRACT
We spend our lives being seduced by the outside world, believing without question that happiness and suffering come from “out there.” In reality, Buddhist teachings explain that they come from the way we perceive and interpret things, not the things themselves.
This deeply held misconception is at the root of our dissatisfaction, self-doubt, anger, depression, anxiety, and the rest. But our minds can change. By becoming deeply familiar with the workings of our own cognitive processes through introspection and learning to deconstruct them – truly, being our own therapists – we can loosen the grip of these neuroses and grow our marvelous potential for contentment, clarity, and courage, which are at the core of our being.
Speaker: Venerable Robina Courtin
A Tibetan Buddhist nun for 30 years, beloved teacher and power-house personality, Ven. Robina Courtin is Executive Director of Liberation Prison Project, based in San Francisco. (LiberationPrisonProject.org)
A lifeline for people with nothing and no one, since 1996 Liberation Prison Project has supported the spiritual practice of over 15,000 prisoners, mainly in the US and Australia. These days, the project spends $50,000 every month, nearly half of it on salaries and benefits for a fulltime staff of ten (eight in the US and two in Australia, including three former prisoners), supported by a team of 150+ volunteers worldwide.
Ven. Robina travels the world, teaching and raising funds, touching countless hearts and minds with her down-to-earth, no-nonsense packaging of the Buddha’s teachings, often filled with tasty stories from her own real-life struggles, attachments and relationships. She is able to put across to her students in and out of prison that change is possible; everyone can learn to develop their qualities, to be joyful in the face of difficulties – even on death row.
“Ven. Robina has taught me to look at everything that occurs in my life with a different view,” writes one Australian prisoner. “She has given me dignity, courage, and honor.”
Duration : 1:1:10
[youtube nasIq4E9nNg]
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#1 by EGMAG at October 13th, 2009
thubtenwangmo no …
thubtenwangmo no concept<<
I have explained how, with logic, mathematics, and science many times on You Tube. You just have to trust me, just like you trust the “Buddha”. I have no time left for Tibetan alleged logical nonsense! Everything could NOT exist & be susstained from nothing! You can evilly ridicule and cry. Facts are facts so be a nice Buddhist and open your mind to reality and not to human being gods.
#2 by thubtenwangmo at October 13th, 2009
Like I said, there …
Like I said, there is no concept of creation in Tibetan Buddhism. We don’t believe god created us. Explain how, with logic, mathematics, and science can prove the creator of everything. I can’t. I can reference my own mental moments which can be traced back and back to beginningless time. Nothing begins nor ends. I don’t need sympathy with my quest. I am rather satisfied with the explanation given in Buddhism.
#3 by EGMAG at October 13th, 2009
thub
…
thub
Sympathizing w/ your quest & concept. However to think all existence within our knowledge, & observe the laws governing existence which exhibit a definite cause & effect rationality, such as evolution; can only eventually be traced logically, mathematically, philosophically & scientifically to a infinite origin or creator. To be thinking in atheistic-ly, means one can acknowledge this origin power, yet they have not chosen a monotheistic teaching that satisfies their curious strivings.
#4 by thubtenwangmo at October 13th, 2009
Tibetan Buddhists, …
Tibetan Buddhists, in relation to a creator god would be classified atheist, so in that regard and with that definition of god as the creator, yes Ven. Robina is atheist. I am a Tibetan Buddhist and Ven. Robina is one of my primary teachers. Buddhists in the Gelug tradition do not have a central god. It’s not an argument, it’s meaning is simply not used. If there were to be a creation aspect, then it would be karma which creates our existence in any given manifestation.
#5 by onthebus17 at October 13th, 2009
I don’t know if she …
I don’t know if she is an atheist, I’m even more impressed with her if she is.
#6 by EGMAG at October 13th, 2009
svernon752 shallow …
svernon752 shallow or simply that dense?<<
Neither. I’m “cordially” asking if she is an aehtist! You don’t have to throw accolades when someone kindly asks a question. How rude. Do I need to elucidate further?
#7 by svernon752 at October 13th, 2009
You have GOT to be …
You have GOT to be kidding! Are you that shallow or simply that dense?
#8 by trowuttatwo at October 13th, 2009
I started working …
I started working with the Liberation Prison Project this year, and I cannot express just how uplifting and wonderful it is. Ven. Robina is the most clear cut/ inspiring nun, I love hearing her teaching!
#9 by TommyChronic at October 13th, 2009
she cuts through …
she cuts through the crap!
#10 by DulciJubilo at October 13th, 2009
She is genuine, …
She is genuine, authentic Robina. Her energy and her work are fantastic.
#11 by EGMAG at October 13th, 2009
Is she a genuine …
Is she a genuine atheist?
#12 by takkahiroshi at October 13th, 2009
Thank you for the …
Thank you for the teachings. Maybe all be happy
#13 by supaflyjohnson at October 13th, 2009
How is this vague …
How is this vague self-help bullshit a tech talk?
#14 by ypharr at October 13th, 2009
I want to learn …
I want to learn these concentration techniques. Any recc?
#15 by twospiritboi at October 13th, 2009
Seems a typically …
Seems a typically self absorbed human experience to think God or Creator is watching you 24/7.
You would think S/he has much more important things to consider, if S/he exists at all.
I love how blunt she is; I think she can shock people’s typically western notions (my own included) of how a Buddhist monk or nun should be.
#16 by changiroad at October 13th, 2009
Great talk. Hope …
Great talk. Hope you inspire more people to accept this scientific philosophy and dump the idea of the a being watching you 24×7.
#17 by YinYinBaker at October 13th, 2009
Fantastic lecture. …
Fantastic lecture. Thank you so much.
#18 by minip64 at October 13th, 2009
1.Sadly I’ve …
1.Sadly I’ve watched it tried all around me and lost a few friends, who, as they’ve become less and less secure in themselves have slipped into the wide smile and absolute vacuity of Buddhist centres.( Only to emerge talking endlessly about themselves and their sensitivity.) 2.You can’t explore the unconscious by its very definition.
3. An observable material change is not the same as the experience of an observable change and reflecting on and discussing personal experience is not science.
#19 by lapeepeeloca at October 13th, 2009
Thanks for posting …
Thanks for posting this video. Robina rocks!
#20 by gr0gmint at October 13th, 2009
thats your …
thats your interpretation of it…
#21 by neham12345 at October 13th, 2009
Lovely …
Lovely clarifications !!! Thanks Google !!
#22 by tibsushi at October 13th, 2009
i want to say …
i want to say thanks . nice to hear u.
#23 by writer84 at October 13th, 2009
I really enjoyed …
I really enjoyed that. Thanks for sharing.
#24 by planes100 at October 13th, 2009
well done . i love …
well done . i love it .
#25 by diarmidbaillie at October 13th, 2009
ScreamKat, the …
ScreamKat, the sense of ‘psychological debt’ that you speak of falls away when you relax into a sense of interconnectedness which includes the ability to receive nourishment and love and also give it freely and effortlessly. Sense of debt is a trick of the mind, you don’t owe anybody anything, nor do they owe you anything. Stop giving if it doesnt feel good.