Of all the points, practicing with bodhicitta is most important. This week we are looking at the third of the main points in the teaching on the 51st lojong slogan, “This time practice the main points.” As a refresher, the first point tells us to focus on how our practice benefits others more than how it benefits ourselves. The second instructs us to focus more on practice than intellectual understanding. And third, we focus on the absolutely vital condition of a “soft heart,” as Trungpa Rinpoche calls it.

Bodhicitta can be defined as that open hearted quality that bubbles up into compassion. It’s what naturally happens when we have an awakened heart. No pun intended, but bodhicitta is the heart of every spiritual practice. The why always must undergird the what. Bodhicitta is our most important why, always.

Traleg Kyabgon says, “The most important aspect of any spiritual practice is that we do it with the loving-kindness of bodhicitta–there is nothing more profound than this.” Truly, there is nothing more profound than this. Compassionate, open=hearted people can change the world for the better. They’re the only ones who ever have!

It reminds me of what Paul said in that famous love chapter in scripture when he said, “If I speak in the tongues of humans and angels but don’t have love, I’m nothing.” No matter what impressive feat we can accomplish, it’s all empty without love.

I love that this calls us to bring attention to the condition of our hearts. It asks us to be mindful of our feelings, because they actually matter a great deal. Do we feel that sense of connection with all beings, with all creation? Do we feel that loving openness? How can we allow that to guide us each day?

What most encourages compassion within you? How can you draw near to that this week?