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An unconventional seminar based on an original allegory about the castle of ego. The castle is built, populated with dignitaries who represent the skandhas (components of ego), and finally dissolved. Uniquely, the talks are in an open discussion format with Chogyam Trungpa soliciting ideas from the audience. 1970, Karme Choling, Audio

A seminar given in the unusual setting of the houseboat of noted Zen teacher Alan Watts, with many of his students present. Trungpa Rinpoche gives a penetrating introduction to essential stages of the Buddhist path. 1971, Sausalito, Audio

An excellent introduction to the main points of the entire Buddhist path: how ego and confusion develop; working with thoughts and emotions; realizing emptiness and developing compassion; transforming emotions into energy and communication; the role of the teacher. 1971, Los Angeles, Audio

Interviews of Trungpa Rinpoche conducted for magazine and newspaper articles, books, radio shows, and television shows. NEWLY UPDATED WITH TEN NEW INTERVIEWS APRIL 4TH 2025!

Milarepa's journey and various challenges and breakthroughs are presented as teachings for the modern-day practitioners on the path. The series includes rare video. 1973, Karme Choling, Audio and Video

Explores Marpa's life as as an ordinary householder but brilliant translator; creator of great yogis in his students; someone who had complete understanding of mahamudra. 1973, Karme Choling, Audio and Video

Brings Marpa and his significance to the lineage to life, making the connections between his experience and our contemporary Western involvement with the dharma. 1975, Kensington CA, Audio

A seminar about the realization of unconditional confidence and enlightenment. The topics covered include buddha nature; basic goodness; egolessness; discipline, meditation, and intellect; Great Eastern Sun; and the concept of sacred world. 1978, Karme Choling, Audio

An engaging seminar that weaves together in substantive and sometimes humorous ways the life of the Buddha, the heart of the Buddhist view, and the logic of meditation. 1975, Karme Choling, Audio

An exploration of core teachings of the Mahayana / Bodhisattva path. The topics covered include maitri (loving-kindness), karuna (compassion), bodhichitta (enlightened heart), the six paramitas (transcendent virtues), and meditation practice. 1980, Chicago, Audio

Outlines path to enlightenment, focusing on mahayana. In-depth discussion of paramitas -- generosity, discipline, patience, exertion, meditation, prajna. Includes two fundraising talks for RMDC which bring to life the history of its founding, and a poignant tribute to his students at end of the seminar. 1980, RMDC, Audio

A seminar on the four maras: four destructive forces that hinder progress on the Buddhist path. 1980, Keltic Lodge, Audio

A seminar on the four maras: four destructive forces that hinder progress on the Buddhist path. 1981, RMDC, Audio

Teachings on ego and its different deceptions; discovering bodhichitta, or enlightened heart; and practicing the six paramitas. 1981, Keltic Lodge, Audio

An examination of the bardos and realms, not only in actual death and rebirth, but as a way to work with everyday madness and sanity in our lives. Featured in the book "Transcending Madness". 1971, Allenspark CO, Audio.

In this seminar, Trungpa Rinpoche emphasizes how an individual cycles through all of the bardos while in a single realm. Featured in the book "Transcending Madness". 1971, Karme Choling, Audio.

A journey of skillful means and wisdom through the three yanas, or stages, of Tibetan Buddhism: Foundational teachings (5 talks); Mahayana (7 talks); and Vajrayana (6 talks). All talks are in video and under 30 minutes in length. 1976, Berkeley and Soquel CA, VIDEO.

A seminar on the essential tantric symbol EVAM, which is an expression of the union of the feminine principle, or space (E), and the masculine principle, or unchangeable nature (VAM). Featured in the book "Glimpses of Space". 1976, Boulder, VIDEO.

How manifestation arises from prajnaparamita, mother of all the buddhas, unconditioned space, which is described as unborn, unceasing, and like the sky. Featured in the book "Glimpses of Space". 1975, Karme Choling, Audio.

A nuanced explanation of devotion as an expansive commitment that includes trust in a teacher as well as in oneself. Basis for the "Devotion" chapter in "Heart of the Buddha". 1973, Karme Choling, Audio.

The second seminar ever given in North America, first of many teachings on Jetsun Milarepa, the legendary Tibetan yogi, poet, and Kagyu lineage holder. 1970, Karme Choling, Audio.

First public seminar at RMDC. Mahayana view, bodhisattva vow, the five paths, the ten bhumis, the paramitas. Basis for "The Open Way" chapters in The Myth of Freedom. 1972, Rocky Mountain Dharma Center, Audio.

View of Mahayana and progression of the ten bhumis (stages of a bodhisattva) and the paramitas. 1972, Karme Choling, Audio.

Key principles of mahayana practice: generosity, compassion, working with others, bodhisattva vow. 1972, San Francisco, Audio.

A landmark seminar that opened a fresh and accurate perspective on The Tibetan Book of the Dead, and was the source for the commentary section of the 1975 translation of the text by Chogyam Trungpa and Francesca Fremantle. 1971, Karme Choling, Audio.

The second, unpublished seminar on the topic that takes an experiential approach to the meaning of death -- and life -- from the perspective of all three yanas, Audio.

First seminar on the Sadhana of Mahamudra, a liturgy that embodies Trungpa Rinpoche's approach to presenting dharma in the West. Teachings include the story of how he wrote the sadhana in the cave at Taktsang, and explanation of the themes and imagery. 1975, Karme Choling, Audio.

Second seminar on the Sadhana of Mahamudra, this one with video! Further insight into the context in which the sadhana was written, and engaging discussions on devotion, charnel ground, and crazy wisdom. 1975, Boulder, VIDEO.

Examining how to relate to passion and aggression throughout the path. They begin as "ego's protectors," but they are ultimately are viewed as "expressions of energy". 1971, Montreal, Audio.

Trungpa Rinpoche admits he is presenting "vajrayana in disguise," as the language and imagery are in the vernacular, and directly address our contemporary experience. Topics include looking directly into the nature of confusion and uncertainty; the key importance of discipline, cheerfulness, and celebration. 1978, Boston, Audio.

The second seminar of this name in 1978. A presentation of the development of compassion and skillful means as the path of transforming confusion into wisdom, described through the analogy of the moon of compassion in one’s heart combined with the brilliant sun of skillful means in one’s head. 1978, Los Angeles, Audio.

Exploring principles of the mahayana path: buddha nature; enlightenment; maitri; compassion; emptiness; the bodhisattva vow. Developing an attitude of generosity, and using discipline and openness to uncover our inherent buddha nature. 1975, New York City, Audio.

Topics covered include questioning as a manifestation of our buddha nature; sitting as the only way of discovering it; the importance of warmth toward oneself; nonexistence; surrendering; and exertion. 1975, Padma Jong, Audio.

Sense of dissatisfaction is first indication of our buddha nature. Seeing things as they are becomes a source of strength; warmth toward oneself awakens expanded vision. Compassion and surrendering arise spontaneously; the world presents continual opportunities to practice. 1976, Karme Choling, Audio.

Appropriate for both beginning and experienced meditators, these talks include meditation instruction and discussion of the motivation and results of meditation practice. 1979, Toronto, Audio.

A general introduction to meditation, with main topics including gentleness and developing trust in oneself and integrating meditation practice with everyday awareness. Basis for key chapters in the book Mindfulness in Action. 1979, Vancouver, Audio.

Rich storytelling of the history of the Trungpa Tulku lineage, of which Chogyam Trungpa was the 11th incarnation. Basis for the book "The Mishap Lineage." 1975, Karme Choling, Audio.

The need to dismantle ego and a credentials-oriented approach to spirituality; relating to mind directly through meditation; working with emotions and chaos. Basis for key chapters in "Myth of Freedom." 1973, New York City, Audio.

The inaugural "founder's course" at Naropa Institute, presenting an overview of the basic geography of the Tibetan Buddhist path. Basis for the book "Cynicism and Magic." 1974, Boulder, VIDEO.

Chogyam Trungpa's in-depth introduction to meditation during the inaugural session of Naropa Institute. 1974, Boulder, VIDEO.

An historic seminar in which Chogyam Trungpa presents tantric or vajrayana teachings of Buddhism to a large Western audience for the first time. Basis for the book, "Journey Without Goal." 1974, Boulder, VIDEO.

Chogyam Trungpa presents his vision of perception and symbolism according to tantric principles, emphasizing the continuity between ordinary life and Buddhist iconography. 1975, Boulder, VIDEO.

A complete overview of the three-yana approach (hinayana, mahayana, vajrayana) of Tibetan Buddhism for American audiences. 1975, Boulder, Audio.

An uncompromising seminar that describes the mechanism of ego, how it generates confusion, and the role of meditation in freeing oneself from it. 1976, Boulder, VIDEO

A nine-talk seminar on how working with one's mind allows us to then relate skillfully with the phenomenal world. 1976, Boulder, VIDEO

A seminar on the life and teachings of great Buddhist meditation master Milarepa, exemplifying key aspects of the Buddhist path which remain up to date today. 1976, Boulder, VIDEO.

Chogyam Trungpa discusses how to approach meditation, and through meditation how to skillfully relate to daily life. 1978, Boulder, Audio.

An essential presentation of the heart of the Buddhist path, involving working on oneself directly in meditation, the truth of impermanence, the five skandhas, vipashyana, and how gaps in our confusion lead to sympathy for others. 1978, Boulder, Audio.

Chogyam Trungpa describes the Buddhist path to enlightenment through the stages of hinayana, mahayana, and vajrayana. 1979, Boulder, Audio.

Colour video contributes to a lively introduction to principles of "Dharma Art." Includes calligraphy and flower arranging demonstrations, slide shows and poetry readings. 1978, Boulder, COLOUR VIDEO.

Continues the "Dharma Art" teachings from the previous summer, this time through the lens of "heaven, earth, and man". Basis for the essay of that name in the book "True Perception." 1979, Boulder, Audio.

A pioneering seminar in which Chogyam Trungpa presented the central principles of the Shambhala path to the public for the first time. Basis for key chapters in "Shambhala: Sacred Path of the Warrior." 1979, Boulder, Audio.

A course on the view and practices of Mahayana Buddhism, including the view of emptiness and the practices of the paramitas, based on Shantideva's classic work The Bodhicharyavatara. 1980, Boulder, Audio.

This series explores the life and training of the great Indian pandit Naropa, for whom Naropa Institute was named. 1980, Boulder, Audio.

Chogyam Trungpa emphasizes egolessness as the basis of formal art practice, and in the experience of art in one's everyday life. 1981, Boulder, Audio

This seminar presents the path of taming one's mind through meditation, and opening oneself to appreciation of everyday life. 1983, Boulder, Audio.

A collection of celebratory events from the early years of Naropa Institute, including three graduations, the first alumni dinner, first convocation, and a celebration for achieving candidacy for accreditation. Boulder, Audio and Video.

These landmark conferences were the first public forums of Christian-Buddhist dialogue in North America. They helped usher in a new era of interreligious communication across traditions focused on contemplative practice. Boulder, Audio.

Chogyam Trungpa held ongoing and illuminating meetings with faculty, students, and staff at Naropa Institute, discussing their experiences, and sharing ideas about how Naropa might contribute to both education and American society. Audio

"Open Secret" is a video series from a radio program broadcast from Naropa Institute with panel discussions before a live audience. Panelists in addition to Trungpa Rinpoche include Ram Dass, Stanislav Grof, Gregory Bateson, Joseph Goldstein. Topics range from psychedelics to psychology to death and dying. VIDEO

These historic poetry and writing events took place at the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics, the creative writing department of Naropa Institute. Audio and Video

Teachings and interviews Trungpa Rinpoche gave on the subject of psychology at Naropa Institute. Audio

Single public talks given at Naropa Institute in Boulder between 1974 and 1980. Audio and Video

Single public talks on Shambhala Training given in multiple cities between the years 1978 and 1982. Audio and Video

Blessing and Dedication ceremonies for the opening of various centers.

Talks to community members in Boulder, Karme Choling, and other local centers. Audio

Gatherings of representatives from meditation centers ("Dharmadhatus") and study groups.

Between 1970 and 1986, Trungpa Rinpoche gave 118 recorded public talks, generally when on the road for teaching tours. These were sometimes standalone single talk events, and sometimes were given as lead-ins to public seminars. Generally, these public talks have topics that are tailored for audiences unfamiliar with or newer to Buddhism.