Drop of Nectar: An Old Man's Heart Advice mp4 & mp3

© 2003 Lama Tharchin Rinpoche

Format: 2 mp4 video & mp3 audio downloads (links will be sent within 5 business days); Also available on 2 DVDs; Running Time: Teaching 1: 1 hour 34 min; Teaching 2: 2 hour 4 min

Recorded at Orgyen Dorje Den in Alameda, California, October 2003

Language: Tibetan with English translation by Ngawang Zangpo

Related: Rinpoche's teachings on his prayer, given at the Esalen Institute in 2004, are available here.

Download a PDF of the poem.

The root of painful and confused emotions is ignorance, the lack of recognition of our own primordial nature. From that root emerge the five afflictive emotions and all of their innumerable branches. Caught in this state of confusion, we cycle endlessly between temporary happiness and suffering, never reaching our goal of permanent, stable happiness. Contained within the essence of that emotional, suffering mind, however, is our enlightened nature. Enlightenment is not a state that exists outside of oneself. It is our own primordially awakened nature, luminous awareness. The natural display of this awareness is the five primordial wisdoms.

Drawing on his poem A Drop of Nectar, Lama Tharchin Rinpoche reveals methods for distinguishing between the five afflictive emotions and the five primordial wisdoms, and introduces us to our original enlightened nature from the perspective of the Great Perfection. He shows us how to abide in that state and stabilize this awareness, leading to permanent happiness, free from suffering. In that dimension, not even the names “confusion” and “suffering” are known. The Great Perfection is not a partial or sectarian approach, so these teachings are appropriate for anyone interested in deepening their spiritual practice.

Text: Available as downloadable PDF on website