Episode 137: The Role of Discipline Artwork

Dharma Glimpses with Judy Lief

DHARMA GLIMPSES is an introduction to The Profound Treasury teachings of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taught by Judy Lief. In these short, accessible talks, Judy invites listeners to explore the subtleties and delights of the Buddhist path of meditation and insight. She introduces listeners to some of the key ways that mark Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche's unique and brilliant exposition of the dharma in the context of contemporary Western society.

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Dharma Glimpses with Judy Lief

Episode 137: The Role of Discipline

July 14, 2026 • Judy Lief

0:00 | 7:21

[This episode originally aired on June 21, 2022] In the dharma a great deal of emphasis is placed on integrating meditation practice and study • interwoven throughout is the need for discipline, the need to apply our training to the real challenges of life • if you look at the role of discipline in terms of meditation practice and study, it’s very simple: you have to do it • it takes effort and commitment to stick with study, to stick with practice • even when we are not studying or practicing, discipline is the thread that ties it all together • it’s a long-term vision, not a short-term bandage or a magic pill • discipline in the Buddhist understanding is not a heavy-handed thing—there isn’t a set of commandments or rules; there is no particular punishment and no particular reward • all we have is our actions, our ability to notice the results of our actions, and our ability to learn from them and make decisions based on what we observe.