(2 credits) According to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the key to happiness is not the eradication of our problems but rather the development of a mind capable of transforming any problem into a cause for happiness. In this course, we will take a deep dive into the realities of the practice of lojong, or thought transformation, through the study of individual works from the Mind Training: The Great Collection, a compilation of early lojong literature masterfully translated by Geshe Thupten Jinpa, Ph.D.

This class will include some traditional commentary on these texts, as well as analysis and exploration of the genre of lojong, including guidance for cultivating new mental habits for mastering our thoughts and emotions as well as contemporary treatments of lojong in the west, including approaches through popular culture, science, and in community.