Buddhist study and practice is the process of becoming increasingly familiar with the dynamic expressions of our own mind, both confused manifestations and the natural play of our innate buddha mind. As we study, reflect, and personalize the teachings, shifts occur in our relationship with our mind and with the world as a consequence of our increasing connection with our innate buddha nature.

One important shift on the Buddhist path is the ability to experience the essential nature of ordinary consciousness as enlightened wisdom. In order to experience this wisdom, we do not discard our mundane consciousnesses, but learn to see them for what they truly are and work with them in a skillful manner. Through fully understanding our ordinary confused mind, we gain access to its flip side which is buddha mind. To help practitioners with this process, the Third Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje, composed a text, Distinguishing Consciousness from Wisdom.

Distinguishing Consciousness from Wisdom describes the mahayana framework of the eight consciousnesses (all-base consciousness, afflicted consciousness, mental consciousness, and five sense consciousnesses) and explains how, on the path, they transform into five wisdoms: dharmadhatu wisdom, mirrorlike wisdom, the wisdom of equality, discriminating wisdom, and all-accomplishing wisdom. Through this fivefold makeup of the enlightened mind, buddhas understand the world experienced by ordinary beings and vastly benefit others who suffer. Even as ordinary beings, we can experience glimpses of this fivefold radiance of the ever-shining inner sun of our mind’s true nature.

In this program, Mitra Karl Brunnholzl explores these important teachings with clarity and humor, making this profound material accessible to practitioners at all levels. This program begins with a single talk on the relationship between study and practice and includes numerous question and answer sessions throughout the presentation.