Past Issues: July 03 | September 03 | October 03 | November 03

The Internet Newsletter of Jewel Heart

The Power of Aspiration: A Teaching by Gehlek Rimpoche

Bodhimind can be of two types: aspiring or venturing. It is like two people wanting to go somewhere. There are those people who say, “Oh, that is a very attractive travel package you have! I would love to go sometime.” Then there are those who are really, actually going. They buy the ticket, pack their bags, and go. So there are those who actually buy their ticket and are really committing to taking the trip, and those who are still looking and admiring the tourist information. The ones looking at the information may be very inspired and excited about it, but for whatever reason they decide not to go quite yet. “Maybe next year” they say.

In terms of bodhimind both these attitudes are counted. Why? Because even simply aspiring or wishing to have bodhimind brings enormous benefit. This is why we are always saying how important motivation is. Motivation is the key to everything we do, and there is no better motivation than bodhimind, even the aspiring bodhimind. Aspiration alone can burn up all your negativities; it is one of the best purifications. With this aspiration even if you are sitting around doing nothing, it will uplift you tremendously on your spiritual journey.

Right now our aspiration will not be a true aspiring bodhimind but some kind of artificial one. We may think that artificial aspiration is no good, but artificial aspiration also serves the purpose. Not only does it serve the purpose, it has great purpose. There is a traditional example given which says that even a broken diamond ornament is better and more valuable than turquoise or any other jewel. Likewise, this artificial aspiring mind is like a diamond that is superior to anything else. So please have a diamond necklace! Even if it is not a perfect one, it will make a big difference.

Such a mind, even if it is only in the aspiring form, will bring boundless good qualities and countless merit. We make the mistake of thinking we can gain qualities by asking, “How can I get them? What can I do to help myself?” The questions you need to ask are “How can I help all beings? How can I relieve their pain and bring them joy?” In other words, if you keep wondering how you are going to get something for yourself, you are not going to get it. You will not find the way out. You will only bring yourself a tremendous amount of anxiety, followed by all kinds of other problems. We can see this all around. Take a look and you will see this. All the anxiety and difficulty we experience are the result of focusing too much on ourselves. You really need to change the focus from yourself and put other people in. When you put other people in you realize that others have the same problems you do, and they don’t want to suffer any more than you do. Once you recognize this you can wish for them to be free of their suffering and attain all good qualities.

In the beginning it is only a wish. You aspire, or wish, to benefit others. Remember how according to the Mahayana tradition the Buddha first generated bodhimind while in the hell realm. He thought, “I wish I could help the person next to me, and relieve him of the misery of pulling this cart.” The moment he had that thought the hell guardian hit him on the head for having such a thought and he was reborn as a human being who later became Buddha. This really shows you how much power such a thought has to uplift the individual. Just wishing alone, even if you can physically do nothing, brings tremendous results. This is the power of love and compassion. The mind wishing to help all other beings is the vehicle that delivers you to enlightenment.

—Edited by Aura Glaser, December 2003

Chicago Vajrayana Study Group

The Chicago Vajrayana sangha met Sunday, Nov. 30, at the home of Jim and Rochelle Winter to practice Lama Chopa and celebrate tsoh, eat potluck brunch, and participate in the second session of an ongoing Vajrayana study group currently discussing the "extremely abbreviated" Yamantaka sadhana. Thanks to transcripts of Rimpoche's teachings on the sadhana and personal notes, the discussion is clearing up many points of confusion for new and experienced Yamantaka practioners.

Part of the discussion on Sunday centered on how to keep one's Vajrayana practice fresh and powerful. Robin Olsen said she did so by recalling the motivation of compassion that fuels her practice.

Brenda Rosen suggested that what worked for her was remembering the long-terms goals and context of the "simulated yoga" of the generation stage. Rochelle Winter recalled that she had been advised to "rejoice" even when she recognized that her concentration had strayed. Attending the group are Greg Holden, Liz Kraus, David Bolitho, Norbert Kramer, Robin Olsen, Brenda Rosen, and Jim and Rochelle Winter. The group's next meeting is scheduled for New Year's Day, 2004. —Brenda Rosen (Chicago)

Volunteers Renovate the Ann Arbor Meditation Hall.

Thanks all for the 200 plus man and woman hours spent the weekend of November 14 and following to install the new bamboo floor in the meditation hall. Everyone worked hard, only stopping briefly devour a few slices of pizza. It looks great and your efforts really show how many hands can make good things happen at Jewel Heart. Rimpoche is quite pleased with how it looks so far.

The next work party for replacing the ceiling tiles, cleaning up the construction equipment, and installing the altar in a new location will be December 13-14. So tell your friends and hope to see you then if you can make it.

The following is a list of all who have participated so far. My apologies if I left anyone out. The pictures below are courtesy of Deb Burr.

—Marilyn Hall (Ann Arbor)