Discovering Buddhism - Developing Bodhicitta (23 November 2013)

· · · silence, 2 minutes

1:46 Seems like the parking was a little bit tight. We will very slowly and gradually go into our meditation to allow people to find parking spaces. Report an error in the passage at 1:46 Highlight the passage at 1:46

2:02 We have little, the little blankets are in there, right? So if people want to grab little blankets or shawls, they're in that lower case. Report an error in the passage at 2:02 Highlight the passage at 2:02

2:11 Is it just a little nippy? We did turn on the heat and it will warm up. Report an error in the passage at 2:11 Highlight the passage at 2:11

2:19 She's waiting for somebody. Report an error in the passage at 2:19 Highlight the passage at 2:19

2:29 You want to be warm enough, but you also don't want to be too warm. It's like wanting to be comfortable, but not too comfortable. Report an error in the passage at 2:29 Highlight the passage at 2:29

2:45 Meditation is sort of a balance between finding this. You want your body and your mind to be alert, but you also want your body and mind to not be too... wanting to be like he it's like Report an error in the passage at 2:45 Highlight the passage at 2:45

2:58 Tense, you know, and I think we err on that side a lot of times. And, you know, when we sit and we sit like that, you know, it's like you want to sit upright, but you don't want to be taught. So they say it's like this. It's just like in the mind, of course, is the same. So where the body goes, the mind will follow. So today I'm actually going to lead you into the posture, which I haven't done at the other sessions just because we have a little bit more time. Report an error in the passage at 2:58 Highlight the passage at 2:58

3:24 It's okay, we're going slowly, Jade, to give people more time. Give people more time to come and join us. Because I know quite a few people are coming, so I said they were. So just a reminder, too, that once we start, we're going to stay in silence this morning. Oh, the door. Jade, could you grab the door? It stays open and it's wide open. Report an error in the passage at 3:24 Highlight the passage at 3:24

3:58 But I will, a couple points through, probably, I don't remember how many points. One, two. Report an error in the passage at 3:58 Highlight the passage at 3:58

4:07 Three times I'll stop and I'll say, this is a good time to stretch. And it's fine if you feel like you need to, just get up, if you need to get up. But if you don't need to get up, it actually breaks the meditation a little bit to do too much movement. So I usually just try to do stretches in my seat if I feel like I need it. Report an error in the passage at 4:07 Highlight the passage at 4:07

4:28 You know, you can stretch your knees up and so forth or back. Report an error in the passage at 4:28 Highlight the passage at 4:28

4:36 Because it doesn't, it sort of, otherwise it sort of breaks your concentration a little bit, even if you don't have much. Report an error in the passage at 4:36 Highlight the passage at 4:36

4:45 It's just me. But, you know, any kind of sudden movements will. So even if you feel like, oh, I just absolutely need to stand up for a moment, just stand up really slowly and then sit down again. And also be aware that somebody near you might be having some sort of experience and you don't want to jar that. Report an error in the passage at 4:45 Highlight the passage at 4:45

5:05 So don't get up and start. One class I was teaching, one woman leapt up every break and ran to the wall and started doing these enormous yoga things. And so I thought maybe I'd give a little bit more guidance. Report an error in the passage at 5:05 Highlight the passage at 5:05

5:23 And it's totally fine to do yoga. Yoga actually supports sitting posture. I'm not sure what that's about. Report an error in the passage at 5:23 Highlight the passage at 5:23

5:33 Again, slowly, contemplatively. I was Report an error in the passage at 5:33 Highlight the passage at 5:33

5:37 It's better. And if you can manage to not get up at all, that's probably going to be better for your meditation. But that being said, go for it if you have to. Also, if you just feel like I really need some warm water or I need to go to the loo, you know, just definitely just go. You don't need to ask or anything. Report an error in the passage at 5:37 Highlight the passage at 5:37

5:58 Just go and then come back. Probably each little stretch break will be no more than. I'm trying to keep the momentum of the meditation so you see how they all build on each other. The more breaks and the bigger breaks, we'll break that up. Hey, come on in. I'm doing a long lead-in to allow people to all arrive. Report an error in the passage at 5:58 Highlight the passage at 5:58

6:27 Does anyone have any questions about the way we will... I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Report an error in the passage at 6:27 Highlight the passage at 6:27

6:33 Do this this morning. Report an error in the passage at 6:33 Highlight the passage at 6:33

6:38 Anything about the practice day so far. Basically, I'm just going to guide. I think probably it will only be about an hour and 15 minutes. And then we'll end. And then I'll give you a little bit of space to end it in your own way. And then we'll open it up. And then if people have experiences or questions that they'd like to share, then we'll just open it up and do that. Report an error in the passage at 6:38 Highlight the passage at 6:38

7:00 Then we'll have lunch. then and then we'll I'll probably assign somebody to be a timekeeper during lunch because that's usually when I lose it. Like all morning I'm keeping the time and then I let it go and we don't want that to happen. We don't have that long of a whole day and so we want to be able to pull back together and watch the film together. On the break, Jade, if you don't mind, you and Rich can set up the whole monitor thing. Report an error in the passage at 7:00 Highlight the passage at 7:00

7:31 I find that when I set it up before we start, everyone's just looking at the monitor. It's like nothing's happening there yet. It's okay. So it's better to wait to the break. Anyway, so then we'll eat lunch together and then we'll maybe just like have dessert or tea or whatever comes in. I don't know what anybody's bringing and watch the film. The film is quite short too. It's only, I think, 27 minutes. And then we'll kind of reformat and sit in a circle. Report an error in the passage at 7:31 Highlight the passage at 7:31

8:04 If anyone has presentations, we'll do the presentations and listen to those and ask questions and so forth, and then we'll end with a dedication. So that's kind of the way I expect it to go. Report an error in the passage at 8:04 Highlight the passage at 8:04

8:16 All right. Well, I think our dawdling has produced two more, so that's fine. And then I think more may come, and that's fine. We'll just sort of allow them in when they come. Welcome them in your heart. All right. So we're going to start. Report an error in the passage at 8:16 Highlight the passage at 8:16

8:38 You can go ahead and stretch if you feel like you need to roll your shoulders, if you feel tension in your neck. If Report an error in the passage at 8:38 Highlight the passage at 8:38

9:03 you want to take some deep belly breaths and let go of the craziness of rushing here this morning, rushing to your retreat, Report an error in the passage at 9:03 Highlight the passage at 9:03

9:14 fighting traffic, looking for parking, waiting for Muni, running. Report an error in the passage at 9:14 Highlight the passage at 9:14

9:38 So just imagine that this is like this really spacious morning. You just created this beautiful, vast window to go into this meditation more deeply. Report an error in the passage at 9:38 Highlight the passage at 9:38

9:55 We have all the time that we need, which is so rare. Usually we have to rush our meditation, our daily practice at home. Things are waiting. Things need to be done. But right now, this is all that needs to be done. So I just feel sort of this rejoicing at that. Report an error in the passage at 9:55 Highlight the passage at 9:55

10:32 I'm going to go through the posture a little bit for those who are interested. If you have your own posture, that's fine. Report an error in the passage at 10:32 Highlight the passage at 10:32

10:43 If you're sitting in a chair, I always like to remind you not to sit right against the back of the chair. Just place your feet firmly on the floor in front of you and still sit upright in a chair. Report an error in the passage at 10:43 Highlight the passage at 10:43

11:01 You're trying to create a stable posture. If your feet don't reach the floor all the way, it's better to have a cushion underneath. Report an error in the passage at 11:01 Highlight the passage at 11:01

11:12 Put a cushion underneath. Report an error in the passage at 11:12 Highlight the passage at 11:12

11:21 If you're sitting on a cushion, then start with extending your spine. You can just sort of imagine that your spine is like a pile of coins or a string, like a string kind of going straight up through the crown of your head. And imagine that someone else is holding that string, so you don't have to, but that it keeps your spine extended. Report an error in the passage at 11:21 Highlight the passage at 11:21

11:57 And level your shoulders if you tend to hold them scrunched up around your ears. Report an error in the passage at 11:57 Highlight the passage at 11:57

12:05 But have them back a little bit, kind of opening up your heart, your chest. Report an error in the passage at 12:05 Highlight the passage at 12:05

12:18 In this tradition, we usually have the hands in the lap, right over left, thumbs touching lightly. Report an error in the passage at 12:18 Highlight the passage at 12:18

12:30 Usually they are about the level of your navel, but that's when you're sitting in what's called full lotus posture, full vaguer posture. Report an error in the passage at 12:30 Highlight the passage at 12:30

12:42 So sometimes it helps to put something underneath them, like a folded shell. Report an error in the passage at 12:42 Highlight the passage at 12:42

12:50 And if it's more comfortable, then you can have your hands on your knees. And that also really helps to keep your chest open. Report an error in the passage at 12:50 Highlight the passage at 12:50

13:10 Your legs can be in whatever posture works for you. Traditionally, we work up to what's called the full Vajra posture, where the feet are resting on the opposite thighs. But in our culture, unless you do a lot of yoga or start young, that's really hard to accomplish. Sometimes people can do half. Even that you have to be careful with, with your knees. Report an error in the passage at 13:10 Highlight the passage at 13:10

13:32 And then it's just plain cross-legged. Sitting on the floor watching TV, that works. Tara posture, where one leg is in front of the other, also works, and that way you don't have anything crossing if it falls asleep. Report an error in the passage at 13:32 Highlight the passage at 13:32

13:56 Your head is just slightly tilted forward, so not completely like you were facing outwards, but just a little bit down. And if you're keeping your eyes open, then you're gazing off the end of your nose, just a little bit in front of you. Report an error in the passage at 13:56 Highlight the passage at 13:56

14:14 You can also keep your eyes closed, but don't keep them tightly closed. Report an error in the passage at 14:14 Highlight the passage at 14:14

14:20 Because otherwise that leads to sort of daydreaming. Report an error in the passage at 14:20 Highlight the passage at 14:20

14:31 And then finally the tongue is resting on the roof of your mouth, behind the front teeth but not touching. Report an error in the passage at 14:31 Highlight the passage at 14:31

14:42 And your breathing is just natural. So we're going to start with just focusing on the breath for a few rounds to calm the mind. But even later when we're doing Tonglen and we're focusing more on the breath or we're letting the meditation ride on the breath, you don't need to exaggerate your breathing in any way. Report an error in the passage at 14:42 Highlight the passage at 14:42

15:01 In fact, it's actually not good for you to do that, neither for yourself or for anyone around you. So just relax your breathing. And we'll watch the breath as it is, as it rises and falls for a few rounds. And Report an error in the passage at 15:01 Highlight the passage at 15:01

· · · silence, 1 minute

16:08 then we'll start with a little motivation. Just trying to remember that we're doing this meditation this morning, this whole day. Report an error in the passage at 16:08 Highlight the passage at 16:08

16:21 Whatever little bit that we know, a little experience, a little understanding that we know of bodhicitta to take root in our mind even deeper, to Report an error in the passage at 16:21 Highlight the passage at 16:21

16:33 get closer and closer to enlightenment. Report an error in the passage at 16:33 Highlight the passage at 16:33

16:39 We plant the seeds for that enlightenment so that we can benefit all living beings perfectly. Report an error in the passage at 16:39 Highlight the passage at 16:39

17:08 So we start the first step of equalizing ourselves with others by recognizing that we actually are the same, the same as everyone out there. Everyone apart from us, and they are the same in at least one small way. Report an error in the passage at 17:08 Highlight the passage at 17:08

17:36 Everyone just wants to be happy. Everyone Report an error in the passage at 17:36 Highlight the passage at 17:36

17:42 just wants to avoid all pain and suffering, even the tiniest amount of discomfort. Report an error in the passage at 17:42 Highlight the passage at 17:42

17:56 No matter how rich or poor, no Report an error in the passage at 17:56 Highlight the passage at 17:56

18:03 matter how healthy or sick, no Report an error in the passage at 18:03 Highlight the passage at 18:03

18:09 matter how brilliant or dull, and Report an error in the passage at 18:09 Highlight the passage at 18:09

18:16 the tiniest insect or the biggest animal, Report an error in the passage at 18:16 Highlight the passage at 18:16

18:30 we all just want to be happy. Report an error in the passage at 18:30 Highlight the passage at 18:30

18:39 And we all want to avoid all kinds of suffering, all difficulties. Report an error in the passage at 18:39 Highlight the passage at 18:39

18:47 So in this way, everyone is the same. And important for this meditation, they're the same as me. So logically, why do I keep separating myself so much from the rest of all the creatures, including all humans, but not only including humans? Report an error in the passage at 18:47 Highlight the passage at 18:47

19:20 So start with people that you know. Think about your friends and family and how they just want to be happy. And how much they don't want any problems in big and small ways. Report an error in the passage at 19:20 Highlight the passage at 19:20

19:39 What we eat for lunch and the arc of our whole lifetime. Think Report an error in the passage at 19:39 Highlight the passage at 19:39

· · · silence, 1 minute

20:50 about people you don't know, people you might just see. People you saw coming over today, walking on the street or driving in their cars, sleeping on the street. Report an error in the passage at 20:50 Highlight the passage at 20:50

21:17 People you work with, live next to. Report an error in the passage at 21:17 Highlight the passage at 21:17

21:30 People on the news, Report an error in the passage at 21:30 Highlight the passage at 21:30

21:47 people on the plane when you last traveled. Report an error in the passage at 21:47 Highlight the passage at 21:47

21:56 They just want to be happy. And they don't want to suffer in any way. Think Report an error in the passage at 21:56 Highlight the passage at 21:56

22:22 about your classmates here in this room, exactly the same as you. Report an error in the passage at 22:22 Highlight the passage at 22:22

22:48 Everything that's ever been done in the history of the universe has been done for these two reasons at the root, to be happy and to avoid problems. Report an error in the passage at 22:48 Highlight the passage at 22:48

23:00 It doesn't work, of course, but that's been the root motivation. Report an error in the passage at 23:00 Highlight the passage at 23:00

23:15 People rob us to be happy and give to us to be happy. Report an error in the passage at 23:15 Highlight the passage at 23:15

23:22 Criticize us to be happy. Praise us to be happy. Report an error in the passage at 23:22 Highlight the passage at 23:22

23:32 Work 72 hours straight to be happy. Report an error in the passage at 23:32 Highlight the passage at 23:32

23:39 Stop working to be happy. Lie in bed all day to be happy. And Report an error in the passage at 23:39 Highlight the passage at 23:39

23:49 even kill themselves to be happy. Report an error in the passage at 23:49 Highlight the passage at 23:49

24:04 This thought is going on underneath all of our other thoughts, all of our other motivations, all of our other states of mind, 24 hours a day. Report an error in the passage at 24:04 Highlight the passage at 24:04

24:25 And my wish to be happy doesn't differ from your wish to be happy or from anyone's wish to be happy. Report an error in the passage at 24:25 Highlight the passage at 24:25

24:35 What I do to get it might differ. Report an error in the passage at 24:35 Highlight the passage at 24:35

24:46 What I want might differ to make me happy. And what I don't want might differ. But that basic want for happiness, that doesn't change. Report an error in the passage at 24:46 Highlight the passage at 24:46

25:11 And my suffering isn't unique. Report an error in the passage at 25:11 Highlight the passage at 25:11

25:22 A particular type or cause might differ, but countless others are suffering in this way right now. Most worse than me. Report an error in the passage at 25:22 Highlight the passage at 25:22

25:37 Whether it's with a headache, cancer, Report an error in the passage at 25:37 Highlight the passage at 25:37

25:45 depression, laziness. Report an error in the passage at 25:45 Highlight the passage at 25:45

25:54 Frustration, loss, lack of a job, hating my job. Report an error in the passage at 25:54 Highlight the passage at 25:54

26:06 So many others have these problems exactly like us. Report an error in the passage at 26:06 Highlight the passage at 26:06

26:13 The only thing that makes it unique is that label of it being mine. So Report an error in the passage at 26:13 Highlight the passage at 26:13

26:28 why do we make these huge distinctions between self and others? Report an error in the passage at 26:28 Highlight the passage at 26:28

26:55 Just like one part of your body would protect the other parts to remove suffering or threat. In the same way... One being is part of all beings and we should work for their happiness and to remove their suffering exactly like we do for ourselves. Report an error in the passage at 26:55 Highlight the passage at 26:55

27:26 As Shantideva said, we should dispel suffering because it is suffering. We should benefit others because they are sentient beings just like me. Report an error in the passage at 27:26 Highlight the passage at 27:26

27:43 No further reason is needed. Report an error in the passage at 27:43 Highlight the passage at 27:43

27:58 Okay, it's a good time for a break if you need to stretch. Just try to stay silent and move slowly. You're Report an error in the passage at 27:58 Highlight the passage at 27:58

· · · silence, 1 minute

29:15 ready. Find your way back to your posture. Report an error in the passage at 29:15 Highlight the passage at 29:15

29:28 Remember to elongate Report an error in the passage at 29:28 Highlight the passage at 29:28

29:38 your breath again. Report an error in the passage at 29:38 Highlight the passage at 29:38

· · · silence, 1 minute

30:21 And we start thinking a little bit about the self-cherishing mind and the mind that cherishes others. Report an error in the passage at 30:21 Highlight the passage at 30:21

30:43 We think about what it is that keeps us from seeing this equality of all beings. And most importantly probably the equality of all beings with ourselves. Report an error in the passage at 30:43 Highlight the passage at 30:43

30:56 It's a self-cherishing mind. Report an error in the passage at 30:56 Highlight the passage at 30:56

31:06 So think a little bit about how this self-absorption. It works in our mind so that we can recognize it. Report an error in the passage at 31:06 Highlight the passage at 31:06

31:20 According to the Buddha, this mind has kept us in suffering, not just all of this lifetime, no matter how old we are or young we are, Report an error in the passage at 31:20 Highlight the passage at 31:20

31:31 but limitless lifetimes. Report an error in the passage at 31:31 Highlight the passage at 31:31

31:36 Because it's the root cause of every afflicted state of mind we've ever had. Report an error in the passage at 31:36 Highlight the passage at 31:36

31:43 All those painful minds like jealousy and anger, obsession, Report an error in the passage at 31:43 Highlight the passage at 31:43

31:52 addiction, Report an error in the passage at 31:52 Highlight the passage at 31:52

31:56 depression, hatred, Report an error in the passage at 31:56 Highlight the passage at 31:56

32:03 boredom. Any state of mind that disturbs our peace of mind. Report an error in the passage at 32:03 Highlight the passage at 32:03

32:13 So the self-cherishing causes those minds to arise. And then we act on those states of mind and do non-virtuous actions. Report an error in the passage at 32:13 Highlight the passage at 32:13

32:25 And that creates negative karma that then ripens as our own suffering. Report an error in the passage at 32:25 Highlight the passage at 32:25

32:36 And that's the whole cause of saṃsāra. That's what keeps us here lifetime after lifetime after lifetime. Report an error in the passage at 32:36 Highlight the passage at 32:36

32:48 We keep creating the causes of a body like this. A body that's caused by causes and conditions and falls apart. Report an error in the passage at 32:48 Highlight the passage at 32:48

33:05 And more importantly, self-cherishing mind keeps us from progressing on this path. Report an error in the passage at 33:05 Highlight the passage at 33:05

33:14 It keeps us from generating bodhicitta. We get close and then we get distracted. Report an error in the passage at 33:14 Highlight the passage at 33:14

33:26 It keeps us from coming to class or going on retreat or doing practice or getting up early enough to meditate or being able to meditate. Report an error in the passage at 33:26 Highlight the passage at 33:26

33:42 It keeps us from working with our mind day in and day out. It keeps us blaming others instead of our own karma, our own mind. Report an error in the passage at 33:42 Highlight the passage at 33:42

34:00 According to the Buddha, we get close. Report an error in the passage at 34:00 Highlight the passage at 34:00

34:05 In other lifetimes, we've gotten close. Report an error in the passage at 34:05 Highlight the passage at 34:05

34:11 But that self-cherishing mind holds us back. It's our biggest obstacle. According to Shantideva, it's our biggest enemy, our only real enemy. Report an error in the passage at 34:11 Highlight the passage at 34:11

34:27 It's the one that sticks with us from lifetime to lifetime. Report an error in the passage at 34:27 Highlight the passage at 34:27

34:42 If we think about what gives us energy in our practice, It's this mind of cherishing others, developing this concern for others, caring about others. And Report an error in the passage at 34:42 Highlight the passage at 34:42

35:04 when we do things for others, it pushes us through our fear. It Report an error in the passage at 35:04 Highlight the passage at 35:04

35:13 pushes us through our laziness, our discouragement. It Report an error in the passage at 35:13 Highlight the passage at 35:13

35:20 gives us joy and enthusiasm to practice, even when we don't want to. Report an error in the passage at 35:20 Highlight the passage at 35:20

35:29 Or even doing things of this world, we can... Make them into bigger things just by cherishing others and doing them for others. Report an error in the passage at 35:29 Highlight the passage at 35:29

35:45 It also gives us joy and enthusiasm when we're doing our daily practice, we're studying, meditating, not out of duty, but because we actually enjoy it. It's fun. It makes our life worth something. Report an error in the passage at 35:45 Highlight the passage at 35:45

36:12 Doing things for others, whether it's directly helping them or indirectly through our practice, by dedicating them, motivating towards them. Report an error in the passage at 36:12 Highlight the passage at 36:12

36:26 It feels good in the moment and according to the Buddha, it results in the kind of positive karma that brings us happiness. Report an error in the passage at 36:26 Highlight the passage at 36:26

36:38 As Master Shantideva said, it's the situation where the path to bliss is bliss itself. Report an error in the passage at 36:38 Highlight the passage at 36:38

37:00 So take a moment to do this actual exchange in your mind right now. If you've convinced yourself that you want to switch this mind of self-cherishing to the mind cherishing others. Report an error in the passage at 37:00 Highlight the passage at 37:00

37:18 Or at least to try. Report an error in the passage at 37:18 Highlight the passage at 37:18

37:26 Make the resolve to try to switch the mind that's so self-absorbed to a mind where you have concern for those in front of you. You can hear them. Have compassion for them. Love them even when they don't love you. Report an error in the passage at 37:26 Highlight the passage at 37:26

37:49 We know there's no logical reason for this self-obsession. We know there's no logical reason to see ourselves as so separate from others. It's just our habit. Report an error in the passage at 37:49 Highlight the passage at 37:49

38:00 And habits can change. Report an error in the passage at 38:00 Highlight the passage at 38:00

38:09 Making this determination in our minds is how we change this that way. Report an error in the passage at 38:09 Highlight the passage at 38:09

38:30 We know that there's no difference between us and them. Report an error in the passage at 38:30 Highlight the passage at 38:30

38:37 They just want to be happy like we do. They just want to avoid all suffering like we do. So Report an error in the passage at 38:37 Highlight the passage at 38:37

38:46 for us to be constantly obsessing about getting the best only for ourselves and ignoring their suffering, we have to block something in ourselves so Report an error in the passage at 38:46 Highlight the passage at 38:46

39:02 we don't worry about them. Report an error in the passage at 39:02 Highlight the passage at 39:02

39:09 And this constant obstruction of our best qualities for an instant of happiness is suffering. So Report an error in the passage at 39:09 Highlight the passage at 39:09

39:21 imagine right now making this switch in your mind. Report an error in the passage at 39:21 Highlight the passage at 39:21

39:40 And then this is a good time to stretch if you need to. Remembering to stay silent. You're Report an error in the passage at 39:40 Highlight the passage at 39:40

· · · silence, 1 minute

40:42 ready and just find your seat again, find your posture and Report an error in the passage at 40:42 Highlight the passage at 40:42

40:57 watch your breath a little bit and back to center. Report an error in the passage at 40:57 Highlight the passage at 40:57

41:27 As you follow the movement of your breath, don't try to change it in any way. You can watch it at the level of your nostril or your belly, Report an error in the passage at 41:27 Highlight the passage at 41:27

41:41 the sensation of it coming in. Report an error in the passage at 41:41 Highlight the passage at 41:41

· · · silence, 1 minute

42:14 So imagine someone sitting across from you, like you'd be sitting at a table at Report an error in the passage at 42:14 Highlight the passage at 42:14

42:24 the same level. Report an error in the passage at 42:24 Highlight the passage at 42:24

42:28 And choose someone different this time. Report an error in the passage at 42:28 Highlight the passage at 42:28

42:35 Maybe somebody you don't know so well, somebody you've just met. And Report an error in the passage at 42:35 Highlight the passage at 42:35

42:52 then as you breathe out, imagine that this pure white light radiates out from your heart and fills that object of your meditation. Report an error in the passage at 42:52 Highlight the passage at 42:52

43:04 And that bright light represents all of your best qualities, Report an error in the passage at 43:04 Highlight the passage at 43:04

43:10 all the good things of your life, the things you love, everything you enjoy, Report an error in the passage at 43:10 Highlight the passage at 43:10

43:21 your own good fortune, your own circumstances, your own good health, happiness, Report an error in the passage at 43:21 Highlight the passage at 43:21

43:42 all the positive energy you've accumulated since beginning this time takes the form of this brilliant white light that you breathe into that person. Report an error in the passage at 43:42 Highlight the passage at 43:42

44:04 And if you know whatever they might need, you can imagine it in that breath. Every time you breathe out, if they need a home, if they need love, if they need support, if they need money, if Report an error in the passage at 44:04 Highlight the passage at 44:04

44:26 they need a calm mind, a happy mind, good health, health insurance. Imagine being able to breathe it out to them, into them, in the form of this white light. And Report an error in the passage at 44:26 Highlight the passage at 44:26

44:52 take a few moments to do that. Imagine that you're able to give them everything that they need. Report an error in the passage at 44:52 Highlight the passage at 44:52

45:07 It's like giving them a happiness infusion. And imagine them fully saturated by it. Report an error in the passage at 45:07 Highlight the passage at 45:07

· · · silence, 1 minute

46:02 And then imagine that this dazzling white light from your heart, which is the positive energy that comes from our own good deeds, not someone else, Report an error in the passage at 46:02 Highlight the passage at 46:02

46:18 dissolves all the problems of that person, just like the sun dissolves the morning mist Report an error in the passage at 46:18 Highlight the passage at 46:18

46:29 instantly. Report an error in the passage at 46:29 Highlight the passage at 46:29

46:38 And just as instantly that person begins to feel happiness and this huge sense of relief. And you can see it in their face. And Report an error in the passage at 46:38 Highlight the passage at 46:38

46:55 they're filled with this well-being, this contentedness, satisfaction. They have everything they need to progress on this path to get enlightened. Report an error in the passage at 46:55 Highlight the passage at 46:55

47:12 Imagine how good this feels. Report an error in the passage at 47:12 Highlight the passage at 47:12

47:32 And then imagine breathing in all the problems of this person and their form of this black light, wispy smoke. Like a stick of incense. Report an error in the passage at 47:32 Highlight the passage at 47:32

47:48 Imagine as you breathe it in that it melts your heart and dissolves instantly this self-cherishing mind that we've used for so long to keep ourselves from connecting with others. Report an error in the passage at 47:48 Highlight the passage at 47:48

48:15 If you have any fear as you're breathing in, use that light to dissolve your fear. Remember your determination to grow your courage, your heart, and to eliminate your self-cherishing. Report an error in the passage at 48:15 Highlight the passage at 48:15

48:34 Use their sorrow to dissolve your own self-cherishing. Report an error in the passage at 48:34 Highlight the passage at 48:34

48:54 Imagine that as you breathe in, all your self-cherishing dissolves like the clouds in the sky and Report an error in the passage at 48:54 Highlight the passage at 48:54

49:04 your heart becomes brilliant like the sun and begins to burn brighter and brighter and brighter. Report an error in the passage at 49:04 Highlight the passage at 49:04

49:22 Your mind is pure and vast and spacious. Report an error in the passage at 49:22 Highlight the passage at 49:22

49:33 And imagine that by doing this, you can free this person forever from all their suffering and its causes. And destroy your own self-cherishing mind in the process. And Report an error in the passage at 49:33 Highlight the passage at 49:33

49:47 imagine how good this feels. Report an error in the passage at 49:47 Highlight the passage at 49:47

50:04 So just while breathing naturally, continue this exchange. While breathing out, you're building your love. And while breathing in, you're building your compassion. Report an error in the passage at 50:04 Highlight the passage at 50:04

50:16 And continue until it feels complete. Report an error in the passage at 50:16 Highlight the passage at 50:16

· · · silence, 1 minute

51:11 And finally, come to rest again in your breath, Report an error in the passage at 51:11 Highlight the passage at 51:11

51:18 remembering whatever you might know about emptiness. Report an error in the passage at 51:18 Highlight the passage at 51:18

51:26 And neither you or your object exists the way you think. Neither of you is solid, concrete, truly existent the way it might appear. Report an error in the passage at 51:26 Highlight the passage at 51:26

51:45 Even the suffering and happiness of your object don't exist the way they appear. Just like your own suffering and happiness is fleeting, fluid, ever-changing. Report an error in the passage at 51:45 Highlight the passage at 51:45

52:08 This light and smoke that you've been imagining also doesn't exist the way we think it does. Report an error in the passage at 52:08 Highlight the passage at 52:08

52:20 Just images within the mind. Report an error in the passage at 52:20 Highlight the passage at 52:20

52:33 So dissolve them there and rest in the openness, the vastness of your own mind, your own potential, your own awareness. Report an error in the passage at 52:33 Highlight the passage at 52:33

53:06 And this is a good place to stretch if you need to stretch. Be as quiet as you can and Report an error in the passage at 53:06 Highlight the passage at 53:06

· · · silence, 2 minutes

55:09 lengthen your spine or Report an error in the passage at 55:09 Highlight the passage at 55:09

55:14 your shoulders back and out. Report an error in the passage at 55:14 Highlight the passage at 55:14

55:44 You have to recognize that it's not enough just to want to help others, although it's a step, or to visualize helping others, although it's a big step. Report an error in the passage at 55:44 Highlight the passage at 55:44

56:00 We have to develop an attitude that's so strong that it pushes us through all of our own indifference and laziness, all the other habits of our mind. We Report an error in the passage at 56:00 Highlight the passage at 56:00

56:17 have to develop a mind that thinks I myself alone will help them. I have to do this. Report an error in the passage at 56:17 Highlight the passage at 56:17

56:28 I must help them. Report an error in the passage at 56:28 Highlight the passage at 56:28

56:33 It's my responsibility to help them. If I don't do it, who will? Report an error in the passage at 56:33 Highlight the passage at 56:33

56:46 I'm trying to reach this state where it's totally unbearable that sentient beings have to suffer so much. I can't stand by and do nothing. Report an error in the passage at 56:46 Highlight the passage at 56:46

57:00 Imagine your only child in a burning building or your elderly parents falling into water and drowning. Report an error in the passage at 57:00 Highlight the passage at 57:00

57:17 We want to develop this powerful determination, this longing from the depths of our hearts that's unchanging and irreversible. This Report an error in the passage at 57:17 Highlight the passage at 57:17

57:31 attitude is the goal of our whole path, this yearning to remove the suffering of all living beings and bring them to lasting happiness. And Report an error in the passage at 57:31 Highlight the passage at 57:31

57:46 we're trying to generate this mind spontaneously. instantaneously, effortlessly. Effortlessly, urgently. Report an error in the passage at 57:46 Highlight the passage at 57:46

58:02 This mind is the direct cause of bodhicitta. It's what sparks bodhicitta. Report an error in the passage at 58:02 Highlight the passage at 58:02

58:22 Because even if I'm able to generate this desire to help purely, deeply from the depths of my heart, how can I help all living beings? I Report an error in the passage at 58:22 Highlight the passage at 58:22

58:41 don't have the resources, I don't have the power, the skills, the capacity to Report an error in the passage at 58:41 Highlight the passage at 58:41

58:50 even help one living being, this person in front of me. Even myself, Report an error in the passage at 58:50 Highlight the passage at 58:50

59:05 who's able to do this. Only Report an error in the passage at 59:05 Highlight the passage at 59:05

59:12 a fully enlightened being can perfectly help all of us, without exception, one by one, no matter how long it takes, no matter how hard it is. Report an error in the passage at 59:12 Highlight the passage at 59:12

59:28 They have the capacity through perfecting their minds. So Report an error in the passage at 59:28 Highlight the passage at 59:28

59:38 we have to think, I have to get out of psychic existence too. I have to get enlightened. I have to become a Buddha. I have to perfect my mind. Report an error in the passage at 59:38 Highlight the passage at 59:38

59:59 Buddhas have limitless compassion and love, limitless wisdom or omniscience. Report an error in the passage at 59:59 Highlight the passage at 59:59

1:00:09 They've eliminated every negative state of mind and perfected every positive, even states of mind we can't even imagine. Report an error in the passage at 1:00:09 Highlight the passage at 1:00:09

1:00:25 So this is the perfect method to fulfill my goal. Report an error in the passage at 1:00:25 Highlight the passage at 1:00:25

1:00:35 I will become a Buddha so that I can help all other living beings without exception, no Report an error in the passage at 1:00:35 Highlight the passage at 1:00:35

1:00:46 matter how hard it is. How long it takes, no matter how many sentient beings there are, I will do all the work needed to bring every single being to happiness. Report an error in the passage at 1:00:46 Highlight the passage at 1:00:46

1:01:06 I will become a Buddha for the sake of all living beings. Report an error in the passage at 1:01:06 Highlight the passage at 1:01:06

1:01:19 This is the mind of bodhicitta. Report an error in the passage at 1:01:19 Highlight the passage at 1:01:19

1:01:27 Imagine that you've just generated this mind fully. Imagine how strong and courageous and powerful you'd feel. Report an error in the passage at 1:01:27 Highlight the passage at 1:01:27

1:01:46 Rest in this mind for a few moments. Report an error in the passage at 1:01:46 Highlight the passage at 1:01:46

· · · silence, 1 minute

1:02:28 Bodhicitta is the intoxicant that numbs us against pain and fills us with bliss. Bodhicitta is the alchemy that transforms every action into benefit for others. Report an error in the passage at 1:02:28 Highlight the passage at 1:02:28

1:02:42 Bodhicitta is the cloud that carries the rain of positive energy to nourish growing things. Report an error in the passage at 1:02:42 Highlight the passage at 1:02:42

1:02:51 Bodhicitta is not doctrine. It is a state of mind. This inner experience is completely individual. So how can we see who is a bodhisattva and who is not? Report an error in the passage at 1:02:51 Highlight the passage at 1:02:51

1:03:07 Can we see the self-cherishing mind? Report an error in the passage at 1:03:07 Highlight the passage at 1:03:07

1:03:13 If we feel insecure ourselves, we will project that negative energy into others. We need the pure innermost thought of bodhicitta. Report an error in the passage at 1:03:13 Highlight the passage at 1:03:13

1:03:26 Wherever we go, that will take care of us. Report an error in the passage at 1:03:26 Highlight the passage at 1:03:26

1:03:55 Relax your concentration and your own time. You can end your meditation. Anybody Report an error in the passage at 1:03:55 Highlight the passage at 1:03:55

· · · silence, 1 minute

1:04:52 has anything that they'd like to share? Anything that that meditation brought up in them? Any questions? We Report an error in the passage at 1:04:52 Highlight the passage at 1:04:52

1:05:21 can actually turn that off. Let's turn it off now. People don't need to hear our experiences. Sorry, Jessica. Goodbye. Report an error in the passage at 1:05:21 Highlight the passage at 1:05:21

1:05:32 I promised those people who weren't going to be here that we would record it. That's it. Report an error in the passage at 1:05:32 Highlight the passage at 1:05:32