Host

The Garrison Institute Managing Director, Steve Varley.

Guest

Judy Lief is a longtime Buddhist teacher, editor, and author known for her work preserving the teachings of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, including The Profound Treasury of the Ocean of Dharma amongst numerous others. She is the author of Making Friends with Death and a senior teacher in the Shambhala Buddhist tradition, focusing on contemplative practice and everyday life.

Download the full transcript.

Show Notes

[00:00] Host Steve Varley situates Judy as a longtime Buddhist teacher, editor of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s teachings, and author focused on contemplative approaches to mortality and care.

[02:49] Judy reflects on her younger years, moving across disciplines in search of something deeply engaging and integrated, inspired by teachers who embodied what they taught.

[05:08] Raised in a Protestant Christian context, Judy describes her early interest in spirituality, her questioning nature, and the tension between sincerity and social pressure.

[06:42] Judy observes the movement from hiding spiritual curiosity to today’s “overhyped” spiritual culture, and the risks of ego and self-importance in religious practice.

[08:35] Judy recounts stumbling into a teaching by Chögyam Trungpa in 1971, describing his unusual presence, directness, and the powerful impact of her first meditation experience.

[10:42] Over time, she comes to trust the truth of Trungpa Rinpoche’s teachings and undertakes a deeper engagement with the Dharma, despite initial resistance to having a teacher.

[12:47] Judy shares how she unexpectedly stepped into editing Trungpa’s work with little training, learning through experience and developing a lifelong role in preserving his teachings.

[16:59] Through connections with early hospice pioneers, Judy became involved in conversations around death and dying, eventually writing her own book.

[19:37] Drawing from hospice experience, she emphasizes presence, stability, and the ability to remain with discomfort as key forms of care.

[21:42] Judy reflects on how end-of-life experiences strip away superficial concerns, revealing what truly matters and offering a sense of immediacy and truth.

[23:09] She discusses continuing her editorial work decades after his passing, and how her understanding of him evolved over time.

[29:08] Judy describes ongoing “aha” moments, highlighting Trungpa’s unique use of language and ability to provoke insight.

[30:23] Rather than following a deliberate plan, Judy reflects on being placed in unexpected roles and learning to navigate uncertainty as a form of practice.

[33:30] Judy shares her current focus on supporting younger practitioners to carry forward contemplative teachings in ways relevant to their time.

[36:23] She reflects on the risks and responsibilities of adapting teachings, emphasizing core principles like awareness, kindness, and community while acknowledging uncertainty.