Under this category we share Living the Lojong articles with you.
Take on the three principle causes. These are like three ingredients we need to do this work well. The first is having a spiritual friend or teacher. It’s interesting that while many of the commentaries mention a guru here, the earliest teachings refer to a kalyanamitra,…
The 44th lojong slogan is “Train in the three difficulties.” The first is noticing where you get neurotic. Second, you decide not to respond in the usual way. And third, you continue practicing this little dance. I like this slogan because it’s a nice little summary…
The 43rd lojong slogan says, “Observe these two, even at the risk of your life.” The two are the vows Buddhists take- the refuge vow and the bodhisattva vow. In the refuge vow, a person chooses to take refuge in the Buddha, the teachings of the…
Well this one’s simple, even if it isn’t easy: whatever happens, be patient. That’s the reason we practice mind training, right? So that we don’t get tossed around by the ups and downs of the day? Well, this is that, in a nutshell. Traditionally the lojong…
Here’s a simple spiritual practice: begin and end the day with intention. That’s the message behind the 41st lojong slogan. It says, “Two activities: one at the beginning, one at the end.” That activity is bringing to mind our desire to be a bodhicitta today. And…
On the heels of the previous slogan, here is another to help us clarify the way: correct all wrongs with one intention. And the intention, again, is to live in a way that benefits others. But how does this correct all wrongs? Well, we could argue…
All activities should be done with one intention. What’s that one intention? Benefitting others. Pema Chodron reminds us that this benefit can be direct or indirect. But the overall focus is to “increase your experience of kinship with your fellow beings.” Remember them. Recognize and honor…
This lojong slogan can be simplified to say: don’t seek joy in the pain of others. Jamgon Kungtrul says “don’t look to profit from sorrow.” Norman Fischer translates it as “don’t rejoice at other’s pain.” However you say it, the intention here is to have compassion…
When we make gods into demons, we turn something that is meant to be good into something negative. For example, we use our growth as a platform for egotism. Or we shame others who aren’t where we are. I’m using examples in the spiritual growth realm…
Don’t act with a twist means being aware of our motivations. Are you being nice because you want something in return? Are you showing a certain side of yourself that will be received best? To be clear, the answer is yes! Of course we do this.…
