Awakening Dignity : A Guide To Living A Life Of Deep Fulfillment by Phakchok Rinpoche and Sophie Wu

Awakening Dignity: A Guide to Living a Life of Deep Fulfillment is a must-read for individuals who desire to cultivate their inner worth and uncover the true purpose of their existence. Authored by the revered Buddhist master Phakchok Rinpoche, this extraordinary manual draws upon the profound teachings of Tibetan Buddhism to enable readers to build unwavering trust and self-assurance, irrespective of life’s inevitable highs and lows.

Offering a blend of insightful reflections, relatable examples, and transformative meditations, this enlightening guide equips readers with the tools to confront any situation while maintaining an unwavering sense of dignity and steadfast compassion. By practicing simple yet impactful exercises such as embracing adversity and cultivating a compassionate outlook, individuals can fully embrace and embody their inherent dignity.

In this remarkable book, readers will discover a sanctuary of wisdom and self-discovery, empowering them to nurture an unshakable belief in themselves and inspiring a remarkably profound way of living. Prepare to embark on a journey that will infuse your life with confidence and guide you towards a purposeful and meaningful existence.

Awakening Dignity: Cultivating Deep Fulfillment through Buddhist Meditation

Good evening everyone! My name is Er Anderson and I’m the Executive Director of Cara Circle. Cara Circle is the non-profit programming arm of Karis Books. We are here tonight co-hosting an event with Agnes Scott College to welcome Professor Sophie Wu in conversation with Dr. Jan Lewis and Alan Cole for a discussion of “Awakening Dignity: The Guide to Living a Life of Deep Fulfillment – The Buddhist Master’s Guide to Cultivating Dignity Through Meditation.” We are delighted to have all of you here with us tonight, whether you are physically in this room or watching virtually from home. For accessibility reasons and recording purposes, we will be taking questions virtually. For those in the room, we will pass around a microphone. And for those watching virtually, please put your questions in the chat and we will vocalize them for you. Now, I’ll pass it over to Jim Willis and say thank you for being with us.

Thank you all for being here tonight to celebrate the publication of this wonderful book by Sophie Wu. I remember when we first met at Evans to John, and it’s great to see it finally out and in our hands. I have a few questions for Sophie to tell us more about the book. Sophie, thank you for the book and all the hard work you put into it. You teach history and Asian studies at Agnes Scott, so how did you come to collaborate on a book about Tibetan Buddhist practice and theory?

Sophie: Many things had to come together for this collaboration to happen. First, I met Professor Chon. Ah, it’s remarkable that we are at Karis Books today, because Karis Books is partnered with Agnes Scott College, and Agnes Scott College is where Professor Chon and I met. During his first visit, I was introduced by my good friend and colleague. We had lunch, and I attended his talks. His teaching on dignity struck me, and I attended many of his retreats. In 2016, I proposed the idea of writing a book about his teachings on dignity, and it soon became a much larger project. I am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with him.

Jim: Can you tell us a bit about Professor Chon’s background and where he comes from?

Sophie: Professor Chon comes from an illustrious family of Tibetan Buddhist teachers. His grandfather is one of the richest meditation masters of the 20th century, and his uncles are important Buddhist masters. When I first met him, I didn’t know the importance of his lineage, but as I started to study with him, I saw the benefits of his teachings and the tradition he comes from.

Jim: In the book, he discusses the concept of dignity. Can you explain what he means by dignity and how it relates to Buddhism?

Sophie: Dignity, as described in the book, is the recognition of our basic goodness and our inherent purity. It is the quality that arises from this recognition and helps us to live a meaningful and fulfilling life. Dignity is the opposite of feeling that we are not enough; it is an unwavering trust in ourselves and our noble nature. It enables us to see situations clearly and respond appropriately. The book explores the practice of cultivating dignity through meditation and how it can transform our lives.

Jim: The book is structured in three parts, can you tell us a bit about these parts and what they cover?

Sophie: The three parts of the book are: “Human Nature is Pure,” “You Can Change,” and “You Can Trust.” In the first part, Professor Chon discusses the recognition of our basic goodness and purity. In the second part, he explores how we can change our habits and transform negative emotions. And in the third part, he emphasizes the importance of gaining certainty and trust in our inherent nature. Each part of the book offers practical exercises and meditations to help readers embody and experience dignity.

Jim: And finally, can you tell us about any future projects related to “Awakening Dignity”?

Sophie: We have several projects related to “Awakening Dignity.” We have filmed an online course, which will be launched later this year or early next year. There are also reading groups discussing the book, and we are planning to organize an “Awakening Dignity” study and practice group. Additionally, we are considering workshops and retreats tailored for specific groups, such as healthcare professionals, educators, and students. We hope to continue spreading the teachings of dignity and its transformative power.

Thank you both for being here and sharing insights from the book. Now, let’s move on to the audience questions.