The Knowledge Base

Surrendering Ourselves To Find Ourselves: Secrets of the Ancient Tibetan Practice of Chod, Part 2 (2012, New York)

Chod is an ancient meditation practice from Tibet which was made famous by the female saint Machik Labdrun, who was born in 1062 AD. Chod teaches us a practical way of reaching daily peace and happiness by learning to surrender ourselves in the service of others. Along the way, we get everything we ever wanted; financial security, a strong body, a fantastic relationship.

A Gift of Liberation 06: Passion Retreat (2012, Prescott)

In the last course in this series Lam Rim Series Course 3: Finding What We Were Always Meant to Be continuing our ten-year journey through Pabongka Rinpoche’s Gift of Liberation, an important spiritual classic from Tibet. We learned how to look deep inside ourselves to find that vein of pure gold—the one thing that we were always meant to do, and to be. And then we are no longer tired or bored with our life: we feel a sudden joy in finding our one true purpose.

A Gift of Liberation 05: Finding What We Were Always Meant to Be (2011, Arizona)

During this retreat we will learn how to identify the tendencies within ourselves to be attracted to deeper things and how to maintain the love and quest for our highest aspirations.

A Gift of Liberation 04: The Energy Retreat (2011, Prescott)

This is a special retreat focused on getting more energy in your life, work and relationships, through meditation & yoga, new ideas about food and special ancient ceremonies from the Tibetan tradition for increasing energy and overcoming fatique, along with the continuation of Pabongka Rinpoche’s famous teaching on the steps to enlightenment or lam-rim.

A Greater Capacity to Help Others: Similarities Between Christianity and Buddhism (2011, Rochester)

In this talk at the First Congregational Church of Rochester in July of 2011, Geshe Michael Roach talks about developing a higher level of compassion and love for others in the context of the similarities and shared ideas of Buddhism and Christianity.

Le débat de l’Ange et du Diable (2011, Paris)

Geshe Michael Roach à Paris le 24 et 25 juin, 2011 pour de enseignements basés sur un ancien texte tibétain sur la quête du bonheur.

Compassion and the Inner Body: Asana as a Road to Love (2011, New York)

There is a strong relationship between our ability to love and our inner body of channels, chakras, and prana. Great yogis of ancient times mapped out this inner body, sometimes called the Rainbow Body, and found methods of using it not only for greater health, but for greater knowledge—and for a greater capacity to love.

What is Nirvana and How Do We Get There? (2011, Bahamas)

The word “nirvana” brings up many different ideas. Is it some kind of space into which we disappear? Is it some strange place where we are happy all the time, without a care for the problems of the rest of the world? In this series of talks, we will explore what nirvana really is, and practical ways of getting there, learning both the theory of nirvana, through the study of the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras and practical meditation practices.

Postcards from Geshela, Part Two: What's The Use of Emptiness (2011, New York)

In part one of this series, Geshe Michael Roach taught us the core Buddhist idea of emptiness. In this video segment, Geshela will explain how this idea of emptiness is relevant to our daily life and level of happiness. This is part two of a new short series of videos called Postcards from Geshe la that were recorded in New York City in 2011.

Postcards from Geshela, Part Three: Seeds (2011, New York)

In the previous 2 segments in this series, Postcards from Geshe La, Geshe Michael taught us about the core idea of Buddhism, which is called Emptiness, using his favorite example of a pen. The other core idea is what is traditionally referred to as Karma. As you’ll see in the video, you can think of these two core ideas as being totally indivisible: two sides of the same coin.

Postcards from Geshela, Part One: The Pen (2011, New York)

Geshe Michael Roach teaching about the core Buddhist idea of emptiness using his favorite example of a pen. This is part one of a new short series of videos called Postcards from Geshe la that were recorded in New York City in 2011

Great Retreat Teachings, Part 1: The Winds of Meditation (2011, Bowie)

The great meditation classics of India and Tibet describe a special type of prana, or inner wind, which we can learn to direct through our body in order to bring our mind out of this subtle wandering and return it to sharp, single-pointed focus. In these four days of teaching at Diamond Mountain Retreat Center, Geshe Michael Roach will take us on an exploration through the nature of these subtle meditation obstacles, and inner techniques to overcome them by moving the prana through our channels and chakras.

Taking Personal Responsibility: An Introduction to the Practice of Chod, The Immolation of the Self (2011, New York

A dish in the sink, a person lying in the street, people in pain all around us; we want to do something but we hesitate. The decision to cheerfully stop and help is described in Buddhist scripture as the step before ultimate love, or bodhichitta. And aren’t those who take responsibility even when its “not their problem” the most beautiful people you know? Using a new translation of a text by the First Panchen Lama, you’ll learn how to become that extraordinary being who embraces and enjoys taking responsibility, whether for the dishes or the planet. You’ll see that the result is a life full of sheer enchantment and unsurpassed joy.

A Gift of Liberation 03: Why Are We Alive? The Quest to Create a Perfect World (2011, Phoenix)

Why did we come into this world, and what are we meant to do here? We have a deep hunger to know why we are here, why we were born, and what we need to do with our life. Deep down we all want to save the world, and in the process we want to reach our own happiness as well. We will be following, word by word, one of the greatest books ever written: A Gift of Liberation, Thrust into Our Hands.

A Gift of Liberation 02: Breaking Through to Highest Reality (2011, Prescott)

The ancient books of Tibet say that if a person can see ultimate truth only once, for just 20 minutes in their entire life, then they will soon be able to reach enlightenment, and help stop the pain of countless living beings in this world. They say that ultimate truth lies all around us, like an invisible wall of diamond that can only be seen by a mind which is perfectly still and quiet. The moon’s reflection can only be seen on the crystal surface of the lake of our mind if that surface is absolutely still.

A & The: An In-Depth Teaching on Emptiness (2010, Hong Kong)

A deep exploration of the ultimate nature of reality, what Buddhists refer to as "emptiness" with Geshe Michael Roach. A truly rare and precious teaching which was given in Hong Kong in May 2010.

Living an Enlightened Life: Lessons from Je Tsongkapa, Teacher of the First Dalai Lama (2010, Ann Arbor)

Geshe Michael’s talk focuses on the writings of Je Tsongkapa, considered one of the foremost authorities on Tibetan Buddhism. Ordained at the age of three, Je Tsongkapa Lobsang Drakpa is considered one of the greatest philosophers, the most prolific writers, and most charismatic social organizers in the history of Tibet.

A Gift of Liberation 01: The Deepest Meditation (2010, Phoenix)

Ultimate truth lies all around us, like an invisible wall of diamond that can only be seen by a mind which is perfectly still and quiet. The moon’s reflection can only be seen on the crystal surface of the lake of our mind if that surface is absolutely still. Really bringing our mind to silence is like learning to play a piano: it requires careful training under a qualified teacher—and lots of practice! In this 10-part training

Four Infinite Thoughts Guided Meditation (2010, Scottsdale)

A short guided meditation with Geshe Michael Roach on the Four Infinite Thoughts. Audio...

Kalachakra Yoga (2010, Tucson)

Kalachakra is an ancient Buddhist tradition; the meaning of the word is “Wheel of Time.” In ancient scriptures the Kalachakra means a round-shaped ship which came to earth from another world, bringing the teachings of yoga and explanations of how the poses of yoga create your world.