Atisha’s Seven Points of Mind Training (Lo Jong)July 16-18, 2010Pema Karpo Meditation Center Memphis, Tennessee

Disclaimer• This is a rough outline of the talks given by Khenpo Gawang

Rinpoche with translation by Christoph Klonk as understood by the imperfect ears of one listener done without referring back to any sound recordings

• These are not literal transcripts• These are one student’s notes -- use them to compare to your

own notes or memories of the teaching, but do not assume they are a perfect reproduction of what was said

Overall Outline of the Training

Atisha's Seven Points of Mind Training (Lojong)1. The Preliminaries to Mind Training 2. The Main Practice of Training the Mind in Bodhichitta 3. Transforming Adversity into the Path of Awakening 4. Applying the Practice Throughout One's Whole Life 5. The Measure or Signs of Proficiency in Mind Training6. The Commitments of Mind Training7. The Precepts of Mind Training

IV. Applying the Practice Throughout One's Whole Life • Now we turn to how to dedicate our whole life to this practice

and make an essence we can hold on to for the rest of our life• We can use the FIVE STRENGTHS:

1. The Propelling strength – a strong resolution to strengthen the Awakened Heart

2. Strength of Habituation -- staying with it/familiarization Practice is like food – eating just once in your life is not enough

3. Strength of white seeds/good seedsIt takes a long time to reach full maturity, but do all we can on every occasion to plant good seeds

4. Strength of blame/revulsion of self-cherishing 5. Power of aspiration/dedication of merit – wishing others good

– dedicating even our future merit on their behalf – wish to never be separated from the Awakened Heart

Life long practice

• As long as we are not dead – working on the Awakened Heart attitude is our vocation • AND even the point of death/process of

dying can be turned into something useful

Practice at point of death• Even on our death bed we are still alive and can practice• Let go of what we cannot keep anyway• This is our last occasion to do something useful – wish

happiness for all • Let go of hanging on to objects• Could cause unfavorable rebirth if attached to things at moment

of death • When letting go join it with very positive wish that all you have

may be useful to others• Wish that in Bardo (intermediate state) may I remember the

Awakened Heart attitude and may I meet a teacher that can help Awaken my heart.

Advice at point of death • Remember 5 strengths, for example• Blame of Self-Cherishing• Resolution to seek Awakened Heart even in Bardo state• Habituation – over and over remember the Awakened Heart

• SPECIFIC TECHNIQUES AT THE OCCASION OF DEATH • Lay down on right side • To increase positivity, block right nostril with small finger• Left arm stretched out and relaxing on left side of the body • Apply Awakened heart in relation to the phenomenal world but also in

relation to Absolute truth • Practice giving and taking with in and out breaths• Alternate between considering Awakened Heart in relation to beings and

considering emptiness (it is all in our mind which is empty and ungraspable)

• REST IN THE CLEAR UNALTERED MIND.

• END OF PART IV– • Applying the Practice Throughout One's

Whole Life

V. The Extent of the Training

• This section covers what is the result to follow from the training• What is the basic intention of the Buddha’s

teaching (all vehicles) • ONE SOLE INTENTION OF TAMING THE

TENDENCY TO SELF CHERISH• If we do not understand that intent we miss the

whole point of this 7 point training

Signs that training is working • The purpose of the training is to provide a remedy to self

clinging• If over time we notice our habitual clinging begins to fade we are

on track• When we rid ourselves of SELF CLINGING altogether, that is the

fullest extent of the training • How can we tell if it is working – what can we use as a

measuring scale ? • Have negative emotions decreased?

• If not, you are not on the path of Dharma • If we notice our negative emotions slow down

• We know it is beginning to work a bit

• If our self importance and arrogance increases from the training … no need to call that practicing Dharma !

Rely upon two witnesses1. The witness of others –

Harming others less can be a measure of progress -- others may notice we have a better mindset

2. Our own mind – • This is the most important witness, as others cannot always see

our underlying motives • Our own mind is the most important witness – would be strange

to have doubts about ourselves• Learn to trust that part that knows right/wrong and whether we

are deceiving our self or not -- trust deeply with courage • Do not practice just to impress people, but to get in touch with

happiness for this life and long into the future• We are killing time/wasting our life if doubtful of our own

practices

Doing Mind Training Well

• In doing mind training well, even great obstacles can be handled and made friends with instead of a hindrance• So, nothing can put you off track – • Can be genuinely happy throughout the

practice • Can joyfully take all the bad on ourselves with

the confidence we can handle it

Training the attitude

• Right now it may seem that we have to train quite a lot just to get the Enlightened Mind to arise: • True, have to first install the attitude• But, later the attitude gets easier to arouse• At later point can ‘joyfully’ take on problems of

others • If now we get angry at others, eventually will

not give into anger when the mind is fully tamed

Summary of possibilities of mind training• To reach our full possibility•Must maintain – can’t stop • In summary, if we train well we can reach

a high capacity in taming the mind • Reactivity, negative feelings, and feelings

of self importance will fade out•We will be at ease, not in conflict with

the mind’s witness

• END OF PART V– • The Measure or Signs of Proficiency in

Mind Training

VI. Commitments, Discipline of Mind Training

• Mind training comes with an intention/promise/resolution and we want to keep that promise we have made to our self• Some may take vows committing to the practice using the

resource of the 3 jewels to rely upon • Carefully, watch the mind and stick with our commitment as we

know that messing up harms us • Nourish/stay with those vows if taken

• Emphasizing one point – Just because you now undertake mind training practice, no need to move away from other good practices

When self-cherishing begins to decrease (1) • Once we start to feel self-cherishing has

decreased• No need to prove it to others• Not only avoid public displays, but also don’t do risky

things • Don’t fall into the trap of partiality – humans vs.

nonhumans• Don’t show anger toward nonhuman realm or try to

exorcise them • Don’t favor powerful vs. lowly people or relatives vs.

strangers or enemies

When self-cherishing begins to decrease (2) • Once we start to feel self-cherishing has

decreased• By and large do not criticize others• Criticizing other Dharma teachers is by and large not

helpful• Avoid insulting words • Not helpful to think about the faults of others –

especially other members of the path • Train to view your ability to see faults as an emotional

imbalance on your own part

More suggestions

• Are we more into anger, pride, whatever it is ? • Know your own major imbalance

• Do not do mind training for riches or fame – that is counter to the goal of diminishing self clinging• Help others – but not for purpose of just ‘looking

good’ • Don’t take your own practice TOO SERIOUSLY • Seeing all as truly real is itself a form of being under

the influence of disturbed emotions

When others attack us .. • When others seem to attack you, don’t hold a grudge or lie in

wait for revenge• Why not? Attacking and relating is like a silly game of ping

pong which wastes precious opportunity • If someone says harsh words• Do not return them … LET IT BE

• If skillful enough to not attack immediately, but lying in wait for ambush later – that is not good

• Don’t try to bring any harm – no ill wishing to people or nonhumans as in the cause of those using wrathful mantras

If we did wrong ..

• If we did wrong, admit we did it • Don’t make it look like someone else did it• Stand up to our own mistakes

• If there is a common resource, don’t hog it up • Giving up plotting for advantage against others • In short, all mind training is about reducing

arrogance and mental imbalance

Pride etc• If we are feeling proud about our mind training – • Then it is NOT working, your practice is apparently

like putting headache medicine on your foot • Whatever our major sickness is, that is where we

train• Cure our major disturbance first

• If something bad happens to someone we do not like – DO NOT REJOICE • Do not wish badness to others – make a

commitment to stay away from that kind of attitude

• End of PART VI –• THE COMMITMENTS OF MIND TRAINING

VII. The Precepts of Mind Training• As we undertake mind training it can be helpful

to look for ways to boost our Awakened Heart through activities we have to undertake anyway • When eating for example, we might think:• May this food enable me to be helpful to

others • When selecting clothes, we might think:• May these clothes be of benefit to others

When things don’t always work out• On the other hand we sometimes face sickness, blocks,

harmful influences, bad rumors• Instead of getting disturbed it would be nice to take it all on

joyfully• Could think – this is experienced by many others besides myself• Can now sympathize with others stuck in the same problem• Could think – May I be able to take all the problems from their

shoulders on to mine

Question and Answer session• What can we do when being too self-critical?• Perhaps focus on ultimate truth -- it is just in my mind, can relax

and do not have to interfere• Does the ego sometimes get stronger as we practice or is it

just increased awareness? • More likely becoming more aware of our starting point

• Can tonglen be used for someone who experiences voices in the mind? • For one, can embrace the situation with compassion• In some Eastern societies leftover food is thrown into the fire as

an offering to bad influences • To apply awakened heart in relation to absolute truth – relax in

awareness of mind without substance and disturbances will subside on their own

More Q&A (1)• How can we figure out what our major disturbance is? • Ask in your mind – who is the strongest animal in the zoo? – and

listen for the answer• How do we work on not holding a grudge? • Obviously it is hard or no need for training• For a person in mind training, it is said any harm is actually a

wish-fulfilling jewel – the challenge is not just an obstacle, but a support for developing a more Awakened heart

• How do we practice serving others without feeling unnecessarily lowly our self or become co-dependent? • Shortened /interpreted answer: Well of course we must apply

skillful means – giving money to addicts who will use it for their habit may not be helpful

More Q&A (2)

• How can I deal with fears about loss of income? • First, work• Second, All comes from previous seeds and temporary

conditions • For some people nothing ever works out – may be

seeds from past lives• Cause of wealth is generosity – ridding ourselves of

poverty mentality -- ability to give does not have to come from a state of great wealth• Anyone can give a road side flower or kind words

More Q & A (3) • What about fear of ‘unknown’ rather than

specifics? • Two types of fear – can be smart to be wary of walking

in dark places• Or can be habit – may have trained our self to not trust• Train to replace habit of doubt with positive habit such as

gratefulness. Relax in the alaya of these arisings.• Bad things such as theft etc can happen even if we did

nothing to the other person ..• OR, could have had a bad connection with the thief in a

past life• Real fear we should have is in messing up more in this

life, to cause our self more troubles in the future

Continuation of Section VII Sunday morning • A reminder that whatever it may be that we want to work on

to liberate by reflection and practice needs to be preceded by proper motivation

• REMEMBERING: There is no limit to space or to sentient beings all of which have troubles. While they want happiness, they do not know how to achieve it – their ignorance obstructs the attainment of happiness

• This motivation is kept in mind as we continue our study of the seven points of mind training

How to act each day • In the Morning: • First think for this day coming I want to do all I can to strengthen

the Awakening Heart toward the phenomenal world and toward absolute truth

• About Noon: • Remind our self of the morning motivation

• In the evening: • Total up how well we did – how well did we exercise an

Awakened Heart toward beings and toward the absolute truth?• If we find any errors or shortcomings, it is permissible to feel

sorry as a motivation to do better

What if we acquire great wealth & praise?• In ACQUIRING WEALTH AND PRAISE• No need for arrogance as it is not all about us • It is ALL a dream so continue to develop the Awakened Heart

• On the other hand, what if we have problems and losses? • Should not make us depressed• Look only for the benefit of others

• In GAIN or LOSS … try to keep deep heart wish or commitment to generate the Awakened Heart

Dealing with habitual emotional patterns• Emotional patterns are hard to catch

initially• Once the pattern is set up, it is especially

difficult to stop them• Therefore, when negative emotions come

up it is very important to apply a remedy as soon as possible and commit to prevent the re-arising of our habitual reaction

Successful application of liberating Dharma information • Conditions needed:

1. To meet a genuine teacher – a friend of the heart2. Our mind has to be in a suitable frame 3. Need favorable outward conditions

Place, situation, instructions etc.

• When all three come together we should rejoice and feel very grateful

• If not grateful think of all those who would like to have the opportunities you have and are missing out

• Think again and again – wouldn’t it be great if all beings had these conditions

Good qualities of the Teacher• It is said in the Mahayana that all the good qualities come

from the teacher• W/out his former teachers there would be no Buddha• At all times appreciate from our hearts the good qualities of

our teachers• Develop respect for teachers• Delight in instructions• All the instructions and advices are about not harming and having

proper conduct – all this should be preserved as best we can

Impartiality in training • Mind training should be applied impartially toward all sentient

beings • Helping one is a connection to helping all• Helping COMPETITORS• Try to help those we are in close contact with even if they repay

us with anger or other negativities• Helping THOSE WHO WERE KIND TO US• Do all we can to not upset that relationship or cause harm • Actually those who have helped us can be considered HIGH RISK

people – it will be especially bad if the good connections are then soiled by negativity

Don’t wait for perfect conditions• Though it seems we need many favorable conditions for mind

training, strive ahead without holding back waiting for ‘perfect’ conditions

• Think this human body is not the first one I have had– prior one’s were all pretty much useless – so THIS TIME MAKE IT COUNT to develop the Awakened Heart

• How can we do this?1. Study teachings/sutras2. Analysis3. Personal instruction of the teacher which is the most important

• Rather than running around distractedly, stay put and take instruction to get proper remedies

Watch out for 6 perverted understandings 1. Mistaken patience or endurance – much endurance for

samsaric/mundane activities … little for Dharma 2. Misplaced interest – focus on entertainment and temporary

plans rather than things of lasting benefit3. Worldly vs. Dharmic pursuit – temporary pleasure vs. lasting

benefit 4. Perverted compassion – feeling sorry for monks’ austerities

vs. ripening of samsaric deeds of ourself or others5. Helping in wrong way – teaching people to cheat in business

vs. pursuing right livelihood for example6. Rejoicing inappropriately – when bad things happen to

enemiesRECOGNIZE THE SIX ISSUES ABOVE AND ABANDON AT ALL TIMES

Finding certainty about Dharma• It would be good to have certainty about Dharma and to make

it the one pointed practice of our whole life• Whatever we acquire here in this training it is meant to be a

useful practice for our whole life• As life long practice we can always be aware of when troubles

or bad things creep up to make good use of them • IT IS ALL ABOUT HELPING OTHERS• Don’t expect to be recognized – concern ourself with helping

others however you can

Using the obstacle of bad words about us• When it so happens in an assembly that someone brings up

bad details or secrets or gives out bad words about us• DON’T RETALIATE • Use the situation as a remedy for self-cherishing• Also, don’t reply to every nagging comment made by others

• If we really want to do good for others• It is not about wanting gratitude and the like• Work/train with no expectation of a return or reward

• Use the 7 point practice as a life long training in the two types of awakened heart in relation to the two types of truth• As we learn to use the obstacles we will develop confidence

about our abilities to develop the Awakened Heart

Using this difficult age• This is said to be a difficult time – a dark age when people die

early due to famines war etc and people have very negative mental states

• Causes of happiness are RARE • Yet the negative conditions can all become fuel for practice

than can make your mind training blaze and bloom • What looks like poison, we can turn into medicine• As that happens, our presence in this body can become a source

of happiness for our city – we can be a fountain of happiness in our environment giving true happiness

• Bundling all our efforts into one – blending our mind and the liberating information of Dharma will bring good for oneself and others

Conclusion

• This concludes the teaching on the 7 point mind training • It is all about bringing benefits to others

without expectations for ourselves • Still, we can rejoice in the good that

happens

• END OF PART VII– • The Precepts of Mind Training – Practical

Advice

• NOTE: • We are currently planning for another teaching in February on

Nagarjuna’s Middle Way