Rinpoche reminds us that “Change is the only thing we can be sure will happen. Change is always happening. . . . Change brings transition, but is not positive or negative. It is simply a moment of opportunity. Change provides opportunity. It is up to us what we do with it.”

We all experience sudden tragic changes at some point in our lives, including the death of a family member, the loss of a job, divorce, sudden illness, and many other similar challenges. These changes generate sadness associated with loss and fear associated with the significant transitions that such changes bring to our lives. In these five talks, Rinpoche teaches us how to train our minds so that the shock of sudden change is diminished. Rinpoche then offers detailed guidance on how to skillfully process sudden changes when they occur. He teaches us that by working with sudden change in these ways, it is possible to see and seize the opportunities for positive transformation that manifest in the context of change and transition.

Even planned changes such as marriage, retirement, seeking education, and finding a job come with challenges and transition. Rinpoche provides guidance for negotiating planned changes, including preparing for the reality that planned changes do not always go the way we anticipate.

We learn that the key to working with all forms of change lies in our ability to remain present in every moment. Meditation provides the training we need to maintain present awareness.