Why do we need to practice spirituality?

As human beings, we all experience suffering, pain and dissatisfaction. In an effort to feel better, we typically look for solutions outside ourselves. We turn to success, material objects, people or places for happiness. We might even turn to food, alcohol or drugs. While this may offer us temporary relief, these impermanent solutions ultimately fall short. Spirituality is the only thing that can offer us genuine freedom from the inherently painful experience of being a human being.

What does it mean to be on a spiritual path?

In an effort to find meaning and purpose, or more ease, joy and clarity in life, we might experiment with spirituality in many different forms. We can meditate, practice yoga, chant, seek readings, perform rituals and more. It’s common to dabble in several different spiritual practices. By doing so, however, we generally do little more than scratch the surface of what spirituality has to offer. To be on a spiritual path is to choose one authentic religion, stay with it, and follow it to the very end.

What are the three jewels of Buddhism?

The three jewels of Buddhism are the Buddha, the dharma and the sangha. In brief, this relates to the teacher, the teachings and the community of those who have realized the teachings. To take refuge in the three jewels of Buddha, dharma and sangha is to commit yourself to the powerful spiritual practice of Buddhism. The principle teaching of Buddhism is that each of us has equal potential to become free from our pain and suffering. With the support of the three jewels, we can stay the path and realize this freedom.

What is intelligent faith?

Intelligent faith is evidence-based. This does not refer to the evidence of academic papers and research studies (although that can be helpful) but to evidence that arises from our own direct experience. In contrast to blind faith, intelligent faith is imbued with the wisdom of understanding that arises from testing and deeply exploring a practice for ourselves. In the case of Buddhism, we are invited to continuously ask, is this practice leading me closer to freedom, or further from it?

JOURNEY TO WISDOM

Level 6: Perfection of Wisdom

Find freedom from emotions and beliefs that obscure your potential

See Pricing

Home Meditation Courses Journey to Wisdom Level 6: Perfection of Wisdom

AWAKEN TO THE TRUE NATURE OF REALITY

What You’ll Gain in Level 6: Perfection of Wisdom

Learn What it Means to be Wise

See things as they are, free from misconceptions

Become Available for Insight

Explore vipashyana meditation techniques

Explore the Essence of the Heart Sutra

See that all phenomena are empty and interdependent

Avoid the Pitfalls of Misunderstanding

Embrace a selflessness imbued with compassion

Prerequisite: Journey to Wisdom Level 5.

Dedicated dharma practitioners with sangha affiliation please write us.

Courses 1 through 9 must be taken sequentially.

Map of the Mindworks Journey to Wisdom, emphasizing level 4, the perfection of wisdom

SEE THE NATURE OF ALL THINGS

Clarify the Goal of your Practice

In Level 6: Perfection of Wisdom, we explore the 6th paramita, which is both the result of the previous paramitas and the truth that drives us to practice. As we lift the veil of misconception, we see the truth of emptiness and interconnectedness. This wisdom makes clear that there is no better use of our time than to act of service to the wellbeing of others.

Understand what it means to perfectly discern all knowable things
Take your meditation beyond concentration practice toward wisdom
Differentiate the two schools of Mahayana Buddhist philosophy
Cease clinging to a single identity and embrace true selflessness
Meditate on the four extremes and open to non-dual understanding
Practice previous paramitas with three-fold purity

Experience penetrating insight Purchase 9-Course Bundle

CHOOSE WHAT WORKS FOR YOU

Ways to Get Started

Continue with the levels one-by-one, the Journey course bundle or gain full access to all our courses with a Premium Membership. Save with a Premium Membership and access an entire library of resources to inspire you on your path.

Level 6: Perfection of Wisdom

$50

billed once

Practice vipashyana to understand the nature of your mind

I have completed the prerequisites up to Level 5: Perfection of Meditation

Enroll in Course

Journey to Wisdom Course Bundle

$350

billed once – lifetime access

Commit to the Mahayana path of wisdom and compassion with an in-depth 126 day course series, to bring inspiration and insight to your practice

Purchase 9-Course Bundle

Mindworks Premium Membership

$225 / year

Billed annually

Gain full access to all journeys, courses, live events and features with a premium membership

Begin Your Membership

Mindworks Premium Membership

$25 / month

Billed monthly

Gain full access to all journeys, courses, live events and features with a premium membership

Begin Your Membership

JOURNEY TO WISDOM SERIES

Your Level 6 Mind Trainers

Get to know the dharma teachers who guide you in developing insight and wisdom on your Mahayana Journey

Lara Braitstein, PhD

Professor and Buddhist Teacher

Tilmann Lhundrup

Longtime Meditation Teacher and Retreat Coach

Trungram Gyalwa, PhD

Internationally Renowned Buddhist Master & Scholar

Julia Stenzel, PhD

Meditation teacher and Buddhist professor

Lama Jampa Thaye, PhD

Meditation Master and Buddhist Scholar

Bart Mendel

Founder and Chief Meditation Officer

Khaydroup Podvoll

Contemplative Practitioner, Meditator & Teacher

An image of a meditator on the Buddhist path for Mindworks

Brian Anderson – Management Consultant

Thanks for this wonderful content! I’m enjoying it and it’s making a difference in my life and those around me. Mindworks has done a great job of synthesizing and structuring the Buddhist path, which has been key to my progress.

Bobby – Community Engagement

Mindworks has made a profound difference to my life, especially when going through hard times. During a recent traumatic event, I was level-headed and a pillar of compassion for those around me who were also experiencing the trauma. I ascribe this to the revelations and changes that have come from my meditation practice. Thank you, Mindworks!

Rozanne – Professional Musician

I am so thankful to have discovered Mindworks. It is helping me in so many ways. Your teachers are so varied and yet so wonderful for this journey. I just can’t tell you how much this has become an important guide for life.