(Return to Various Meditations)
Practice The Dharma as a Meditation In Our Lives
Last Sunday PM we
had a terrific discussion in the Question & Answer session at KCC Tiebetan
meditation group, in response to a question:
HOW do we make life meaningful and a practice
the dharma even after our meditation sessions?
Here us a summary of the excellent discussion:
- Consider what are the reasons that make me feel good about meditating?
- Fill my mind with the dharma (Buddhist teachings).
- Ask myself: how do I meditate regularly? How can I make this happen?
- How do I carry loving kindness practice for myself and all other people?
- Consider totally enjoying each meditation sit!!!
- Encourage myself to be happy with what I am doing with my life!
- Don't judge myself and be hard on myself. Be happy with my successes.
- Celebrate my life!
- Look at the book Genuine Happiness by Alan Wallace
- Practice integrating the dharma into other life activities.
- Recognize my innate awakened mind.
- "Bookend" my day with taking refuge and remembering Bodihchitta (changing my life to benefit all people): whatever I do today will lead all beings out of suffering. May what I do end suffering!
- Rejoice in all the good things done in the world--by everyone--all of the time!
- Look for acts of virtue--where ever I am during the day. See how my life is benefited by countless people every day.
- Nurture a sence of rejoicing and create a happy mind!
- Watch out for the habit of pessimism and self-judgment.
- Contemplate the aspiration that everyone may rejoice in their own virtue.
- Notice my own goodness--make it a habit.
- Celebrate the joy that others have in their lives.
- Remember the kindness of all beings (each person has been my mother in my countless past lives.)
I wanted to share with
you several wonderful resources that are amazing!
They explore and expand on everything that we talked about in the discussion:
Making Life Meaningful by Lama Zopa Rinpoche:
It is available on-line:
http://www.lamayeshe.com/article/chapter/making-life-meaningful
Become your own therapist and making your mind an ocean by Lama Yeshe:
http://www.lamayeshe.com/shop/becoming-your-own-therapist-make-your-mind-ocean.
I LOVE these books!
I hope that you enjoy all of these teachings and may all human, garbanzo, and
kidney beans benefit from our efforts!!