Happy belated new year, friends! Thank you for your patience as I’ve taken a bit of extra time to begin our next Soul Ninja project. But I am happy to announce that I will be reflecting on the 37 practices of a bodhisattva. A bodhisattva is someone who serves the world in compassion and love. She hopes to bring liberation and enlightenment to all. A bodhisattva begins by examining her own life. But the focus always remains one of faithful living for the benefit of others.

First, a little context and history: The Thirty-Seven Verses on the Practice of a Bodhisattva, written in the 14th century by Gyalse Ngulchu Thogme, is one of the most well-known and beloved texts in Tibetan Buddhism. It serves as a powerful, shortened teaching of Shantideva’s famous book, The Way of the Bodhisattva. These verses offer practical ways to practice the bodhisattva path in daily life.

Dilgo Khyentse writes, “If you can assimilate and actualize these teachings, you will easily travel the path toward liberation.” And Buddhist nun Thubten Chodron says, “These are the alternatives to a frenzied life and a life lived on automatic mode.” In other words, like all good Buddhist teachings, these 37 verses offer an invitation to wake up. And as we wake up, they invite us to live as those who serve one another well. (What else would clear eyes see as important?!)

While these verses are more complex than the lojong slogans, I plan to focus on the practical side of the teachings. I’ll offer my reflections on what feels most relevant to us in the world in which we find ourselves. As a reminder, I offer these reflections as someone who is, as my teacher says, “Buddhish.” I read and research with due diligence, but I only offer my reflections and thoughts. There is so much I have to learn about Buddhism. And I am coming at this practice from my own lens of faith.

That being said, I’d love for you to join me! Now, more than ever, the world needs people who awaken to their goodness and invoke the goodness of others. I’ll begin next week with the introductory verses.

If you’re interested, below are the books I’ve chosen to be my companions along the journey:

The Heart of Compassion: The 37 Verses on the Practice of a Bodhisattva by Dilgo Khyentse

Reflections on Silver River by Ken McLeod

Commentary on the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva by HH The Dalai Lama

The 37 Practices of Bodhisattvas by Thubten Chodron

Blessings until next week!