Lojong Mind Training Lessons 8 -14

Lojong Mind Training Lessons 8 -14
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According to Buddha the original cause for our experiencing happiness and suffering lies within our own minds.

If we want to free ourselves from problems and pain, we have to free ourselves from addictive habitual patterns.

The most compelling and hardest to come to terms with is the continual creation of ego. In this lojong commentary Gelek Rinpoche hands us “nine bullets to shoot at the ego”.

If they reach their target, the way is clear towards opening up towards our innate goodness.

To download the first 7 lessons of this series, Click Here.

What Is Equanimity?

What Is Equanimity?

Lesson Number 8 of 14

In general, equanimity refers to developing impartiality, but there
are several specific levels of equanimity within Buddhist practice.

In
 this lesson, Rimpoche talks about the equanimity of developing equal
compassion toward all beings, including those we see as our enemies.


He clarifies the difference between equanimity as it is practiced the
four immeasurables and in the exchange stage method of developing
Bhodimind.  

Rimpoche also explores the differing meanings of
equanimity as it relates to all three Buddhist vehicles.


Friends and Enemies

Friends and Enemies

Lesson Number 9 of 14

Is the experience of having friends and enemies always a form of
self-cherishing? How can we learn to deal skillfully with being hurt
by others?  

In this second lesson on equanimity, Rimpoche explores
these fundamental questions about our everyday relationships, and
delves into the nine reasons why it is imperative that we develop the
special mental quality of equanimity.

Give and Take

Give and Take

Lesson Number 10 of 14

In this third lesson on equanimity, Rimpoche reminds us of the root
text on Lojong mind training from which these teachings derive,
explaining how equanimity forms the foundation of the practice.


Rimpoche defines Lojong mind training as the wisdom Buddha Manjushri’s 
approach to bhodisattva activities, exploring how the meditation
method known as “tonglen,” relates to the exchange method of
developing Bhodimind.


Nine Bullets

Nine Bullets

Lesson Number 11 of 14

Can we really commit ourselves to help all beings be free of hatred
and attachment?  

In the fourth lesson of this series on equanimity,
Rimpoche continues to delve into deeper and more profound explorations
of how this process of mental transformation can be achieved.

He
 describes in the detail the nine “bullets” that we can use to take aim
against the ego and its delusions, in order to truly convince
ourselves that we can and indeed must aspire to help all beings
equally.

The Five Resolutions

The Five Resolutions

Lesson Number 12 of 14

In this fifth lesson on equanimity, Rimpoche provides a brief overview
of what has been covered so far, explaining the ways that attachment 
and hatred create obstacles to equanimity.

Rimpoche then elucidates
“the five resolutions,” logical conclusions we can draw from the
analytical meditations covered in previous lessons.

Rimpoche 
emphasizes that we create our suffering by clinging to a rigid
exaggerated sense of self.

Observing the Mind

Observing the Mind

Lesson Number 13 of 14

Without awareness, spiritual progress is impossible.

In the sixth
 lesson on equanimity, Rimpoche continues to shed light on “the five 
resolutions.” He reminds us that we need to carefully observe our
ideas about our own self-importance in order to let go of egocentric 
thoughts, and learn to replace them with equanimity.

Self versus Ego

Self versus Ego

Lesson Number 14 of 14

In this seventh lesson on equanimity, Rimpoche analyzes the special
equality that cares for others as much as we care for ourselves.


Rimpoche describes how suffering always comes from our attempts to 
satisfy ego, as opposed to the true self.  He concludes by
 acknowledging the difficulty of true spiritual practice, and making a 
clear distinction between the self and the ego.

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