#74 Engaged and Aspirational Bodhicitta: Lama Tsomo

Lama Tsomo is a spiritual teacher, author, and co-founder of Namchak Foundation and Namchak Retreat Ranch, which preserves and shares Tibetan Buddhist practice in accessible, contemporary ways. Under the tutelage of Tulku Sangak Rinpoche, international holder of the Namchak lineage, Lama Tsomo has done extensive spiritual retreats in the U.S. and abroad and is fluent in Tibetan. Today, she is dedicated to sharing the teachings of the Namchak lineage with Western students, bringing greater happiness and meaning to life through meditation practice, community, and retreat. She is passionate about reaching young people and supporting those working for positive social change.

Lama Tsomo holds an M.A. in Counseling Psychology and is the author of Ancient Wisdom for Our Times: Tibetan Buddhist Practice Series and coauthor of The Lotus & the Rose: A Conversation Between Tibetan Buddhism & Mystical Christianity and the Taking a Breath meditation journal.  

Links:

• Namchak Website
• Saving Each Other Together Project
• Four Immeasurables Retreat
• Namchak’s Instagram
• Deepening Our Feeling for “Us”: Lama Tsomo from SAND19

Music from Today's episode:

• Chenrezig Sadhana – Tibetan Vajrayana Mantra Meditation
• Now I Walk In Beauty Libana- Fire Within
• Now I Walk in Beauty (sheet music)

Topics:

0:00 – Introduction

2:58 – Lama Intro Story and Path to Buddhism

8:13 – Major Schools of Buddhism in the U.S.

10:35 – Balancing Mindfulness & Compassion

16:45 – The Predictions of Guru Rinpoche

24:45 – The Importance of Mantra

25:53 – The One Ocean

32:13 – Sharing in Sangha in Mantra

37:49 – Chenrezig / Avalokiteśvara chanting practice

50:53 – Working Skillfully With Equanimity

54:19 – The Importance of Sangha

58:57 – Aspirational and Engaged Boddhicitta