In the heart of Latin America, a powerful new series of teachings is unfolding under the title “Debate Between the Angel and the Demon”. Led by Geshe Michael Roach, these teachings bring to life a profound inner dialogue — a conversation between our highest wisdom and our most deceptive habits of mind. This series is based on the classical text “An Argument with the Tendency to Think that Things are Real” by the First Panchen Lama, Lobsang Chukyi Gyeltsen.
Hosted by the Asian Classics Institute (ACI), this unique program is not a single lecture, but a multi-part journey through the psychology of inner voices, the mechanics of karma, and the science of mental transformation. Sessions are held in-person across Latin America — including Mexico City — and are broadcast online to a global audience. They include deep teachings, Q&A, humor, storytelling, and guided reflections to help students apply ancient wisdom to modern life.
At the center of the series is a simple but powerful idea: we are not the voice in our head — we are the one who hears it. And more importantly, we can influence which voice appears next. The “Angel” in the debate represents compassion, insight, and clarity. The “Demon” represents fear, anger, and confusion. Both voices grow from seeds planted in our mind, and we alone are responsible for what we plant.
During one lively session, Geshe Michael recounted a relatable moment — forgetting his credit card during dinner with friends — to illustrate how “emptiness” is not the absence of meaning, but the possibility for new meaning. Just like a missing card isn’t real until we project meaning onto it, our inner dialogue is shaped by past causes, and it’s within our power to choose better ones.
Geshe Michael also shared deeply personal stories, including the loss of his brother, to remind us that even self-directed anger plants harmful seeds. In this system, compassion for oneself is not optional — it’s a critical part of the Bodhisattva path. If we exclude ourselves from our wish to help all beings, we break the very vow that drives our spiritual progress.
One of the standout moments came from a child in the audience asking, “What seed should I plant to become a millionaire and help people?” The answer: Secretly rejoice when something good happens — to anyone. That silent joy is a karmic force that can transform your future.
The teachings also included advice on how to plant seeds for brilliant ideas: by exposing yourself to teachings you don’t yet understand. Sitting in a class where you feel lost, then slowly grasping it over the years, forces your mind to grow. According to Geshe Michael, this is the best way to cultivate lifelong creativity and insight.
For those who want to go deeper, ACI offers free courses twice a week, both in person and online. The “30/30/30” initiative — celebrating 30 years of ACI — encourages students to join, contribute daily if they can, and support Dharma teachers traveling the world to share these teachings at no cost to students.
The “Debate Between the Angel and the Demon” series is more than a teaching — it’s an invitation to take responsibility for the future of your own mind. Whether it’s the voice that inspires or the one that holds you back, you are the only one who can plant the seeds of what comes next.
To join upcoming sessions or to support the ongoing work of the Asian Classics Institute, visit: asianclassicsinstitute.org or follow ACI on Instagram, Facebook, and Telegram.
