The Four Thoughts That Remind Us of the Nature of Reality

also called: The Four Thoughts That Turn the Mind to the Dharma

On this weekend Lama Kelzang will demonstrate his understanding of the “Four Thoughts…”

They are practiced as “preliminary exercises,” usually before the counted repetitions of the special preparations in the so-called Ngöndro.

These include meditations and reflections on:
• the value and precious opportunity that human existence grants us and the responsibility that comes with it
• impermanence and death as a universal law, so that our understanding of the meaning of life can deepen
• the principle of karma and the resulting human and moral ethics, from which the necessity of spiritual training arises so that we learn to act positively in order to function in a healthy and harmonious way in family and society
• and the reality of suffering in samsara and its causes. From the latter comes the insight that a poisoned mind can ruin our health and our heart, and that mindfulness and the skillful application of methods are essential in overcoming mental poisons and thus the causes of samsara.

Lama Kelzang says: “Avoiding the causes of suffering is true self-compassion. Look for good alternatives and strive for renunciation.”

Schedule
Friday, December 4. 2026
08:00pm Welcome and introduction of the topic

Saturday, December 5. 2026
07:30 – 08:30am Meditation
10:00 – 11:15am Teaching
03:00 – 04:30pm Teaching

Sunday, December 6. 2026
07:30 – 08:30am Meditation
10:00 – 11:15am Teaching 

English with German translation.

Additional Texts used for daily practrice: PDF Download

You would like to participate in this course on site at the Kamalashila Institute: please register here.