4.B.2.C.2.a. Actual Stages of How to Cultivate the Altruistic Intention

The Meditation on Equanimity [Teachings]

1. Cultivating it through the seven points of cause and effect [Teachings]
   1. Recognizing that each sentient being has been one's mother
   2. Remembering their kindness to you as your mother
   3. Wishing to reciprocate that kindness
   4. Heart-warming love--seeing others as lovable
   5. Great compassion
   6. Great determination
   7. Altruistic intention
2. Cultivating it through equalizing and exchanging self and others [Teachings]
   1. Equalizing self and others
   2. Disadvantages of self-centeredness
   3. Advantages of cherishing others
   4. Exchanging self and others
   5. Giving your own happiness and taking the suffering of others
3. Cultivating it through the eleven-point bodhicitta meditation
   1. Equanimity
   2. Recognizing all sentient beings have been your mother
   3. Remembering the kindness of others
   4. Wishing to reciprocate that kindness
   5. Equalizing self and others
   6. Disadvantages of self-centeredness
   7. Advantages of cherishing others
   8. Taking others' suffering through compassion
   9. Giving away your own happiness through love
   10. Great determination
   11. Altruistic intention