Newsletter No. 20 - October 2006

The highlight of Lama Lekshey's visit was, of course, the series of lectures on 7 Point Mind Training that he gave during May and June of this year. The Centre was full to capacity with eager students at each of the lessons which were given on Wednesday evenings. As usual, I always came armed with pen and paper to take notes, but the teachings were totally absorbing and what I have summarised here can only help jog our memories.

Many attending were new to Buddhism and Lama La gave the teachings in such a way that the complexities of the philosophy seemed simple. He explained that the practice of Mind Training, or Lojong, was for everyday life, with no special skills required. However, by putting the teachings into practice, we will create a radical change in the way we think. Our mind will become positive and we will have confidence when facing the challenges that life has to offer.

The teaching was first given by Atisha, a highly enlightened 11th Century scholar and teacher who, at the age of 53, travelled from India to Tibet, where he re-introduced pure Buddhism. Lama La explained that the practice condenses all of Buddha's teachings and aims to change selfishness to egolessness. By doing the practice we can develop a deep compassion for ourselves and for other beings. It is a Mahayana teaching and as such the generation of bodhicitta, compassion for others, is the main motivation.

The Teachings began with the 4 preliminary practices which consist of contemplating the preciousness of human birth, impermanence, the law of Karma and that there is nowhere in this Universe where suffering does not exist. Lama La suggested that everyone contemplates these practices before entering into meditation.

Each evening we were introduced to one or more of the Slogans, which encompassed the core teachings on Samsara, the Law of Karma, the nature of phenomena, the nature of the mind, meditations on love and compassion and negativity arising from self cherishing.

The practice gives guidance on how to make use of misfortune (Transforming Adversity) and how to train in the 5 Forces (in both life and death situations). All Buddhist practice is aimed at reducing ego and clinging to the notion of self and the degree to which we have achieved this can be used as a measure of how effective our practice has been.

In the 6th point, the need to discipline the mind to avoid unwholesome attitudes and inclinations was explained through the "Precepts" which we should keep.

The 7th point presented a summary set of guidelines.

At the end of each session there was time for questions and answers. The relevance of these teachings to our 21st Century life is undeniable. However, Lama emphasised that we must practice the Lojong practice for the benefit of future lives, not just this one.

When I spoke to other students after the talks it became clear that my personal perception of the teachings, being given explicitly to me was (of course) an illusion. The teachings spoke directly to everyone. Sometimes I was so affected that I just wanted to get home and absorb what had been said. At other times, it was just so good just to be amongst others who were of a like mind and who have compassion for others and are happy to recite the four immeasurables:

May all beings have happiness and the causes of happiness
May all be free from suffering and the causes of suffering
May all never part from the happiness that is no suffering
May all remain in equanimity, free from partiality, attachment and aversion.

Liz Elwick