Be Your Own Therapist
Google Tech Talks
October 3, 2008
ABSTRACT
We spend our lives being seduced by the outside world, believing without question that happiness and suffering come from "out there." In reality, Buddhist teachings explain that they come from the way we perceive and interpret things, not the things themselves.
This deeply held misconception is at the root of our dissatisfaction, self-doubt, anger, depression, anxiety, and the rest. But our minds can change. By becoming deeply familiar with the workings of our own cognitive processes through introspection and learning to deconstruct them - truly, being our own therapists - we can loosen the grip of these neuroses and grow our marvelous potential for contentment, clarity, and courage, which are at the core of our being.
Speaker: Venerable Robina Courtin
A Tibetan Buddhist nun for 30 years, beloved teacher and power-house personality, Ven. Robina Courtin is Executive Director of Liberation Prison Project, based in San Francisco. (LiberationPrisonProject.org)
A lifeline for people with nothing and no one, since 1996 Liberation Prison Project has supported the spiritual practice of over 15,000 prisoners, mainly in the US and Australia. These days, the project spends $50,000 every month, nearly half of it on salaries and benefits for a fulltime staff of ten (eight in the US and two in Australia, including three former prisoners), supported by a team of 150+ volunteers worldwide.
Ven. Robina travels the world, teaching and raising funds, touching countless hearts and minds with her down-to-earth, no-nonsense packaging of the Buddha's teachings, often filled with tasty stories from her own real-life struggles, attachments and relationships. She is able to put across to her students in and out of prison that change is possible; everyone can learn to develop their qualities, to be joyful in the face of difficulties - even on death row.
"Ven. Robina has taught me to look at everything that occurs in my life with a different view," writes one Australian prisoner. "She has given me dignity, courage, and honor."
Пікірлер: 810
@ 30:40 She blew me away...the reason why I fell apart when my sister died of cancer was due to my attachment to the idea that Sandy was going to go into remission....she simply could not die.
The Ven. Courtin is always a pleasure to listen to. The real strength in her talks, in my opinion, is the fact that she doesn't water down the conceptual explanation. She lays it out as she understands it. Some don't like her direct and rapid communication style, but it works very well for others. By the way, I don't think she was rude to the young woman at the end. She was trying to explain as she does, directly. That said, she works with prisoners and has access to a very wide array of human experience, including some that are brutal. It's possible that her teaching style has evolved to be practical no-nonsense because of that.
I am impressed in how she counters the many passive aggressives and victim positions in the audience.
I like how she points out that negative thoughts are not to be denied, but they are also not what sits at the centre of who you are. Not to let ourselves be defined by them. Great.
I like her practical teaching, she seems real, and passionate. I like her vs. the xanax voice that most spiritual teachers feel that they need to project teachings.
@nickipaull7297
5 жыл бұрын
Ha ha ha! I love 'Xanax voice'. I know what you mean. But one day if you follow the teachings, you might find your Xanax voice too! Buddhist practices can lead to calm that's better than Xanax. Try them!
Sometimes it takes a strong voice to get the message across.
I very much appreciate her frank manner and emphasis on using ones intelligence. She make me listen yet laugh a lot. She is the perfect one to work with inmates - lucky them and her
Her straightforwardness is challenging & refreshing, the passion for the truth is papable!! thx for upload!!!
@aahhhyess
9 жыл бұрын
oops palpable =- )
@lilacfunish
9 жыл бұрын
just because something is palpable it doesn't mean it is correct or right. there are many mental addictions and entertainments that even best therapist can't get you off of it.
Love her! Boom - so real, so straight up. Brilliant! Thank you!
"(its about) giving up the neurotic attitude towards the things, not the things themselves" marvelous Robina, as always ♥
"What can I do about it" very good simple point instead of paying for negative actions with guilt.
I am trying to deal with depression and anxiety, and found what she said v useful. It took me a while to get used to how she was speaking, but so much of it made sense.
@elademusvanoosten6929
9 жыл бұрын
I nic mi nie mówiłaś... To jest źródło, z którego się dowiaduję o Twoich problemach po paru m-cach. Nie twierdzę, że umiałabym Ci pomóc lepiej niż ta jożka, bo przecież sama nie umiałam sobie pomóc throughout my life, ale smutno mi dowiadywać się, że nie umiałaś mi powiedzieć, wiedząc, że przecież mało kto zrozumie Cię lepiej, niż ja - mamy to, niestety, w genach, sweethart. I ten wpis był tuż przed Twoim przyjazdem do Polski. Nie mam żalu, ale czemu tak to jest? Ja nie mogłam nigdy zrozumieć, dlaczego nikt z moich bliskich nie wpadł na to, żeby zapytać mnie, kiedy byłam w koszmarnym dole, co właściwie dzieje się ze mną - chodzono wokół mnie na paluszkach i raczono cup of tea, kiedy trzeba było pagawarit' pa duszam (ruskie idiomatyczne powiedzonko, nie wiem, jak przetłumaczyć; chyba: "żeby dusze porozmawiały"?) By the way, dzwoniłam do Mariny i przyrzekłam, że na 100 % przyjeżdżamy w 2015 na białe noce (czerwiec). Powiedziała, że jest po prostu szczęśliwa, nareszcie!
This was very introspective and enlightening. I sometimes wonder how the world would be as a whole if we were taught the ability to reduce the suffering that we bring onto ourselves at a young age instead of using material things to try to remedy them. It seems to me that this should be the basis of all teachings. This really makes one think about religion and how many congregations teach the opposite which raises the question, why would others want you to believe that you are not the controller of your own mind? To feel guilt or shame for simply existing? I feel fortunate to have reached a time in my life where many wonderful teachers are crossing my path.
@DrCK-mn2tb
5 жыл бұрын
Q..We are becoming materialistic... Explanation...because of buisness...they want to sell products..so they are CREATING..belief that things are connected to Happiness...by million dollar Adversiment...We are slowly programmed to believe this by showing advertisement every where.... CONTINUOUSly..
Personally I simply do LOVE Ven. Robina Courtins approach to this topic. Becoming your own therapist! It is down to earth and full of wisdom...
Truly changes my relationship to these practices. I love the energy of this woman and what she does to break past the ideological assumptions we have in the west of what mindfulness is. So, so great.
I listen to a lot of talks on Buddhism and THIS is by far one of the most amazing.
An absolutely brilliant teaching about looking at ourselves and ending our suffering!!! I love this woman's conviction and essence, she is pure truth!!!
Beautifully delivered, very well delivered. I love the part how she speaks about the misconception of spirituality and judgement. Thankyou for putting the ancient teachings into plain english. 11:11
Thank you Ven. Robina (and Google) for this presentation / talk video. The active, assertive tone of the speaker matches my tone for the day; and the subject matter was equally matched. Thus, it was beneficial to move quickly, candidly directly to the matter of: what is felt within you/your actions and what is you, the moment of recognition of these and where thinking "what can I do about this?" may bring you. (Now, to work on the underlying assumptions, the pace at which I can come to recognition, and the wisdom with which I decide what comes next!)
Clear, concise advice without the essoterical nonsense, love her.
i dont think ive gathered more wisdom in 1 hour before this video. she's a smart lady. and i love the way she talks fast and has effortless humour haha.
Been watching this video when I need it (and her other talks) for nearly a decade now!
I come to this video every time I feel lost. Thank you for sharing this ❤️
This is such a brilliant talk teeming with lots and lots of wisdom.
She's awesome.
Love her. Am going to listen to this one several times. Feels like she has so much knowledge that I really need to grasp all of it. Also, she doesn't seem harsh at all to me. I sense a loving and compassionate heart when she speaks.
This is one of the best explanations of Buddhism and psychology I've ever heard. Brilliant.
I just love this woman !
I have been listening to Robina's talks for several years now. I always get something new from the talks each time. She is wonderful! I love her style of teaching, her straight forward, no nonsense approach! Plus, her sense of humor is fantastic!
Thank you for your clarity and directness.
ruthlessly authentic, witty and humorous!! thank you Ven. Robina!
It's always very enjoyable to listen to that woman :)
Great Video! I was a very harsh speaker and people used to hate me because of my speech. I am Hindu, one of my Buddhist friend introduced me to eight noble path and especially Right Speech. I loved the concept so much that, I started practicing it regularly and i used the "BuDhamma" mobile app to help me on this. Now, I speak gentle and my people are very happy with me. Lot of things I get easily done now!
She throws out so many brilliant concepts so fast! I love her so much!
Amazing! She is so right about many things. Her comment about depression and people thinking their situation will never end really hits the mark.
"Wish for Truth" ....as she said ... Resonates deeply with me.
The great Robina! Love her - she has changed my life.
What a fantastic talk, that is the real essence of Buddhism!
This is awesome! She is brilliant. Ive watched this more than once & every time I rewatch it I learn something new. Thank you Robina for sharing your wisdom!
I'm very happy I watched this talk a second time. When one does it one can see beyond her "hard talk" and really get the beautiful message delivered. Which is, to quote Ven. Robina, is hidden under a layer. Thx Robina and everybody who made it possible :-)
this was refreshing up front talk i would love to study buddhism with a teacher like Robina Courtin
Thank you for your inspiration and this amazing talk! Metta, Martin
Wonderful clarity, thank you so much!
So much great info here ... enjoyed Q&A section the most! Robina has a beautiful clear way of speaking it as it IS. The concept that 'All thought is creative' was highlighted MOST effectively ... EVERYTHING starts & ends in our mind ... the hidden patterns behind neurotic delusions causing our pain/fear/anger... and that our thoughts are locked into the feeling level of our awareness ~ luv it! I notice Separation Trauma (experienced at birth) is a powerful hidden element behind much suffering.
Thank you for posting
She is such a brilliant speaker; her details quenched the questions that raised in my mind while she spoke.
Buddha is a very fascinating historical figure
@DrCK-mn2tb
5 жыл бұрын
He is only a scientist...great scientist...
Love this nun's talk & they way she explains things! Love how she answered the 'why have a teacher' question! More please! :)
I know Robina, and she's pure gold. Very open hearted and kind. I love her dearly and love her style.
This talk really works for me on many levels, and I lived in a Buddhist community for many years. Many of these precepts work and I have taken them with me as part of my life-long quest for truth and peace. A few things however do not add up. She touches on the "how" of Buddhism but not the "why". Buddhism believes that the conditions of our suffering are all tied to karma (cause and effect), which is easy to understand, except they believe in past lives which means we are suffering the effects of past misdeeds. In other words, if you are attacked, raped, disfigured, or victimized in any way in this life, then it's likely because of a past misdeed in a previous live that has "ripened". Their view of why good and bad things happen is very old world and in my opinion the karmic explanation is just another cop out from dealing with the fact that reality is capable of producing loveliness or harshness and often it is for no meaningful reason -- certainly not anything YOU did. The other thing is that pre-modern Buddhists explained thinks like physical deformities, autism, and basically any mental disability that prevents functional human interaction as a "lesser birth". This is because such individuals cannot receive the teachings of Dharma and the Buddha. It's true that a lot of our suffering is because of delusion, but there are some true cases where people are born different, or biochemical imbalances which cause their inability to maintain happiness. Schizophrenics, for example. In these cases, Buddhism's approach to their suffering might be frustrating because it implies that the solution is merely about debunking neuroses, when really there might be in-born problems that can't be debunked with mere analysis. Buddhism is NOT totally equivalent to the modern scientific method because they believe in things which cannot be empirically proven. Tibetan Buddhism in particular is a product of Indian Buddhism merged with local deity worship, so in any Tibetan temple you will see statues to all manner of entities. They are also into 'empowerment' ceremonies where you invoke these deities into you, which IMO is just adding more layers of delusion and not getting to core mind. They also believe in reincarnation, the wheel of life (i.e. when your karma is bad you come back with a lesser birth, like an animal, and if your karma is really good, you might come back as a demi-God), and there is a lot of pomp surrounding lineage rituals and proper ceremonies which again I do not believe really get to core mind. So, I have to disagree that Tibetan Buddhism (which the speaker practices) is free of contradictions. It has many of them, which is why Buddhism is a religion and not a pure science. But as she said, do what works for you. I took a great deal of useful wisdom away from my experiences with the Buddhists, and tossed the rest. IMO Zen Buddhism makes a lot more sense. It's no frills and doesn't have the Tibetan cultural hangups attached to it. If you stick just to the "how" and not the "why", Buddhism will make a lot of sense to you. For me it was not a complete system and I had to continue my search.
@DrCK-mn2tb
5 жыл бұрын
Your giving very valid points...but all you are giving for Buddhism..a religion..may it tibetian,Indian, Japanese..... Buddha never set a religion. He never claim to be god. He never asked to be workshiped.. So Buddha's Teaching are pure Scientific based... And Buddhism is a DISTORTION of his teaching..as religion... See Buddha's as Buddha ...a scientist.. He topic of research was to end of human Suffering... Buddha's only teaches four Truth.. 1)ABOUT the suffering 2)Cause of suffering 3)yes Suffering can be removed 4)The method...eight Fold path Rest is distortion... Buddha stated... Don't believe Anybody not Me...walk ,experiment on the Eightfold path...if it met with your wisdom accept it...if not reject it...
Bring the pure mind to everything you do - including your job.
Thank you so much for delivering wonderful, informative and deep knowledge of Budhsim..
Thank you for this Amazing Video
I actually like the way she talks. It's interesting and it seems real and personable.
she is exceptionally beneficial and kind I am so glad to have found her ! infinite gratitude!
What a pertinent talk ! One of the few times I hear a good explanation of spirituality. Spirituality takes balls !
Thank you, I enjoy your talk a lot and learn some more:)
amazing,talk about mind. thanking your Venerable Robina.
Really enjoyed this. I didn't expect to finish it, but the direct delivery and relevant and truthful statements she made just drew me in. Absolutely loved it.
Loved it. Her speech is so precise and logical.
so much stuff there that I have known for so long, good to hear it expurgated so intelligently, eruditely
What an excellent talk..what buddhism is truly about!
Best talk ever! (So far.)
This woman is incredible I've stumbled upon her seeking for truth and she clearly knows what she is talking about. I have watched this video already numerous times because she knows how to convey the message for those that are open minded enough to see past her manors. Wich I in particular have no problem with, infact it’s what makes her different and interesting. I on the other half listen to what she has to say and there are few out there that can say something that simple that direct without sugarcoating anything I love it. The only one time when she possibly said something wrong was when she called Sarah Palin authentic lol, but pff who cares about that. I am by no means new to Buddhism or it's concepts but she was somebody I was glad to stumble upon. There are more people out there worthy of listening to or checking out. For anybody serious about these topics go check out Sadhguru , this guy I come to have known only for a few weeks but is blowing my mind. Please fellow Buddhists , spiritual seekers or anybody willing to enhance their own life's and those of others check this Indian yogi named Sadhguru he is very very special and def not a fake guru! Peace❤
Wise words. For me it worked in any case. It's good to hear talks on this subject (in a way the most important one of all) from time to time and I find the variety in style and expression among teachers refreshing.
I am amazed to listen to your courageous speech of truth. I feel that you don’t have any fear or restriction in your expressions. I am amazed 🙂👍.
I've seen this video so many times that I know most parts by heart. It changed my life enormously and shaped my views, starting from my view of myself. Love it
I'm smiling at your comment because I was almost clenching my fists when she would call people "sweetheart", "darling", "honey", etc. I find these terms directed at strangers to be very offensive, as if one is talking down to someone. Now, I have to check myself. I think she´s brilliant.
This is a wonderful gift! This sister may not be your stereotype of a spiritually motivated person, but she strikes me as incredibly down-to-earth and real. This is an approach to wisdom and compassion that I can admire and desire to emulate. Namastẻ! Peace and Light!
Namaste. Judi Grace StoryCorps.
Yes, it has changed mine too. I had been searching for it all my life and it offers the most profound peace.
great presentation/lecture!
thanks for kind speech
I love this talk! and how she explains spirituality
Fantastic lecture. Thank you so much.
GREAT VID SO HONEST AND REAL
fantastic speech!
Indeed, it is hard sometimes but very rewarding also. In order to heal one has to be willing to endure pain. To me Buddhism is a path of wisdom, peace and healing and I've been through enough in my personal life to realize the immense value of it. I've started to practice Zen again and this time I really plan on sticking with it. Her story about the convicted criminals was a real inspiration, I will come back to this from time to time. Especially in troublesome times. Have a nice day.
Wow!! Best talk ever, is right! I love this woman, what a powerhouse! This is how I view Buddhism.
Brillant!
Brillant in her clarity and humor on this complex concept
Wonderful woman ! So amazing, interesting how we blame others for own self-centredness….this has really opened my eyes to how I can be more caring to others….thank you from me and everyone I meet….😅
peace compassion wisdom i love this viv i love this
Ever best Buddhist talk from a westerner. Truly remarkable.
The whole concept is wonderful. It's really all about the concept
Great great great teacher RobinaCourtin
Lovely clarifications !!! Thanks Google !!
this lady is the real deal... she is "there" I am so glad to have watched this.
Incredible talk 🙌
Very true and Well explained
This is an amazing talk. The woman has a personality do not mistake that for anger. This talk has helped me immensly. As someone who has done bucket loads of therapy this is the appropriate wake up call - it is time to be your own therapist, you have to do it in the end no one else but you can make you happy, still your mind....think I'll watch it again!!
Excellent lecture, thank you!
So agree with you! It was refreshing to see her approach to buddhism. Reinforces why I love Buddhism so much, because of how flexible the practice is.:)
I really enjoyed listening to her lecture. she won't make you feel like she's grandma, but she will make you listen.
thanks for ur teaching. it's really awsome teaching keep going.
Awesome lecture, she is brilliant
She gives av clear speech, great done! Thanks!
@Seikisho I completely agree with you. She's not trying to give off that "mystical" aura that others give off. She's relatable and approachable. I really appreciate the way she teaches and her sense of humor. She's an excellent teacher.
Ven Robina is like Coffee, sweet, warm and addictive.
@desertpig7934
9 жыл бұрын
Hello from a parallel universe. I find her cold, bitter and certainly not habit forming.
Thank you for sharing, Ye shall know the truth when it is spoken! I think you are awesome1