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Vajrasattva Retreat 2005:
Motivations by Nanc - Mar 31, 2005
I have always appreciated the analogy of the
2 wings of the bird symbolizing the method and wisdom sides of the
path. I think we've been working very hard these past 3 months on
the wisdom wing. Venerable said to watch our own minds and no one
else's for these 3 months which is what the development of the wisdom
wing of the bird requires. I think there have been some amazing
seeds of wisdom planted and others already there well watered and
fertilized in each of us.
From these days together and from the remarkable
teachings of Venerable I have gleaned some pearls of wisdom translated
into my own words more or less to help me sustain this powerful
practice after this lovely journey ends. Although I live at the
abbey that is no assurance that my self cherishing attitude won't
try and sidetrack me as I return to my role here. With a busy summer
coming up and lots of folks heading this way, I could get into all
sorts of ego based trouble.
- Our minds are the source of happiness
and suffering. Although impermanence is the state of the world,
the environment during retreat pretty much stayed the same for
3 months. Same house, same people, same food, same clothes, same
[practice, same schedule. And how many places of happiness and
suffering did you find yourself in during that time? I will watch
for any situation where I think the state of my mind depends on
what's going on outside me and hit the pause button.
- Don't get attached to the positive states
of mind that come up in your life. You can count on them not lasting.
Don't get too averse to the negative states of mind - they won't
last either.
- Those negativities really are lifetimes
old. Be patient with the process of dismantling them. The virtuous
states of mind are also lifetimes old. Rejoice and start trusting
that they can sustain you.
- Cherish your dharma friends and nurture
the relationship. Next to your teacher your enlightenment depends
on them and there's you Ask for support from them even if the
live far away. The wisdom and compassion of the Dharma transcends
time and space.
- Above all else, be compassionate with yourself.
You are doing the best you can at any moment.
- It's crucial to separate yourself from the
self cherishing attitude. Your identification with it must end
or you will never be able to see it for the demon that it is and
eliminate its existence from your mind.
- Don't believe everything you think. If one
of the disturbing attitudes is involved, definitely don't believe
it.
- Make sure you eat balanced nutritious meals,
stretch your body, and take time for walks where you can look
out into the distance.
- There is no way to really progress along
the path without a spiritual teacher that you trust and respect.
No way.
- Maintain whatever humor you can in regards
to the turkeys in your mind. Watch the people in your life who
seem to have joy and humor in their minds and make them of your
role models.
- Do everything you can to support Venerable
Chodron and her vision. And I mean everything.
- Work hard to cultivate the 3 principle aspects
of the path. Until you do you will have more rebirths, each with
a body and mind under the control of ignorance and karma. Remember
your body and mind is samsara and the 1st Noble Truth.
- Whatever will be of greatest benefit to
all beings let me be that.
My deepest gratitude to all of you for this precious opportunity
to practice together. We have purified eons of negativities as individuals
and eons of negativities we committed as a group. Thank you all
for bringing your wonderful gifts and strengths to this space. I
could feel each and every one of you everyday. Thank you for your
patience, non-judgmental presence and compassion. I can be a handle
at times energetically as well as personality wise and all of you
accepted me wherever I was. May we practice together again many
times this life, and in future lives until we all reach enlightenment.
Then as a group of Buddhas we can really make a difference
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