The Mindfulness of the Bodhisattvas

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“Mindfulness” is a term that is often misunderstood in Buddhist circles.
How is this term to be applied when one is treading the path
of Avalokiteshvara, Quan Yin and the Dalai Lamas?

Sadly, many people take the concentration of mindfulness as a goal,
in and of it’s self, as a ruse, an end run around suffering,
and as a warm, dark hole to stick their head into.
But was that really Buddha’s intention?

In Gyalse Ngulchu Thogme’s
“Thirty-seven Verses on the Practice of a Boshisattva”
it is written:

In short, wherever “I” am, whatever “I” do,
to be continually mindful and alert, asking
‘What is the state of my mind?’
AND accomplishing the good of others
is the practice of a bodhisattva.”
Rather than:
• minimize,
• rationalize, or
• justify
the ugly things we may experience
• circumstantial,
• physically,
• emotionally or
• mentally…

every time we experience something UN-pleasant
we can practice the two Bodhichittas of
• Compassion and
• Wisdom.

But what does that mean and how do we apply it?


The very moment that something Unpleasant
such as
• sadness,
• anger or
• fear
pierces the sphere of our awareness…

#1 we use Buddha’s very precise techniques {or mental yogas} of Compassion
to courageously take away all other’s sufferings such as:
• illness,
• lack,
• loneliness,
• sadness,
• anger or
• fear
and then…

#2 we can use Buddha’s mental yogas of Wisdom to actually deconstruct
and let-go of whatever unpleasantness remains.

When we are ignorant of these techniques – they call us “Boob.”
When we first try to apply them
in a clumsy and energy-intensive manner – they call us “Bodhisattva.”

When, at last, we are able to apply them:
• spontaneously,
• habitually,
• easily and
• effectively – they call us “Buddha.”

But let’s face it,
NOT everything is all about suffering, all the time!
What happens when something pleasant, or at least neutral,
pierces our sphere of awareness?

#1 we can apply Buddha’s mental yogas of Love to actually send others
vast amounts of blessings such as:
• health,
• wealth,
• companionship,
• joy,
• love and
• peace
and then…

#2 we, again, can use Buddha’s yogas of Wisdom fearlessly deconstruct OUR
pleasant experiences as well.

Isn’t it ironic that letting go of life’s pleasures could
actually multiply them?

THIS is the week that the Wednesday series of weekly webinars begins!

May you and yours be

happy and healthy!

Om Mani Padme Hum,

Lama Jigme Gyatso: Rime Manipa Tantrika

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