What I’m saying is that you should have perfect determination, knowing that understanding knowledge-wisdom is the only solution to problems, the only source of happiness and joy. That is what we call Dharma.

  —Lama Yeshe

This first volume of collected teachings is drawn from teachings given by Lama Yeshe in the 1970s and 1980s, when he and Lama Zopa Rinpoche traveled the world, teaching extensively. Lama Yeshe consistently encouraged students to recognize and develop their limitless potential, and his dynamic teaching style means that these teachings are as relevant and accessible today as when first taught.

In Part 1 of this book, Lama Yeshe advises how we can transform our lives by developing warm-heartedness and “knowledge-wisdom,” while maintaining a relaxed attitude to our practice. The teachings in Part 1 are edited by Nicholas Ribush and include new material published for the first time. Part 2 is edited by Uldis Balodis and features three discourses given by Lama Yeshe at the sixteenth Kopan meditation course, Nepal, in 1983. In these final teachings at Kopan, Lama offers essential advice on how to practice Dharma in the West.

Excerpts from these discourses have been previously published in the ebook series, The Enlightened Experience: Volumes 1–3, online at Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive and in other publications including Mandala magazine. 

We acknowledge the kindness of Ven. Tenzin Drachom and students in sponsoring the production of this book.