Training the Mind- His Holiness The Dalai Lama

This is the work written by Geshe Che-ka-wa as a result of his long experience of putting the mind training teaching into practice. Known as the "Seven Point Mind Training," it forms the basis of this book, and I have quoted it throughout. Here it is in its entirety:,

Seven Point Mind Training

Homage to great compassion.

The essence of this nectar of secret instruction

Is transmitted from the master from Sumatra.

You should understand the significance of this instruction

As like a diamond, the sun, and a medicinal tree.

This time of the five degenerations will then be transformed

Into the path to the fully awakened state

Explaining the preliminaries a basis for the practice

First, train in the preliminaries.

The actual practice, training in the conventional awakening mind

Banish the one to blame for everything.

Meditate on the great kindness of all sentient beings.

Practice a combination of giving and taking.

Giving and taking should be practiced alternately

And you should begin by taking from yourself.

These two should be made to ride on the breath.

Concerning the three objects, three poisons, and three virtues,

The instruction to be followed, in brief,

Is to take these words to heart in all activities.

Transforming adverse circumstances into the path to enlightenment

When the environment and its inhabitants

Overflow with unwholesomeness,

Transform adverse circumstances into the path to enlightenment.

Reflect immediately at every opportunity.

The supreme method is accompanied by the four practices

The integrated practice of a single lifetime

Train in the five powers.

The five powers themselves are the Great Vehicle’s

Precept on the transference of consciousness.

Cultivate these paths of practice.

The measure of having trained the mind

Integrate all the teachings into one thought.

Primary importance should be given to the two witnesses.

Constantly cultivate only a joyful mind.

The measure of a trained mind is that it has turned back.

There are five great marks of a trained mind.

The trained (mind) retains control even when distracted.

The commitments of mind training

Always train in the three general points.

Engage vigorously in forceful means to cultivate

Qualities and abandon disturbing emotions.

Subjugate all the reasons (for selfishness).

Train consistently to deal with difficult situations.

Don’t rely on other conditions.

Transform your attitude, but maintain your natural behavior.

Don’t speak of others’ faults,

Don’t concern yourself with others’ business.

Give up every hope of reward.

Avoid poisonous food.

Don’t maintain misplaced loyalty.

Don’t make malicious banter.

Don’t lie in ambush.

Don’t strike at the heart.

Don’t place the load of a horse on a pony.

Don’t sprint to win the race.

Don’t turn gods into devils

Don’t seek others’ misery as a means to happiness.

The precepts of mind training

Every yoga should be performed as one.

There are two activities to be done at the beginning and end.

Train first in the easier practices

Whichever occurs be patient with both.

Guard both at the cost of your life

Train in the three difficulties.

Transform everything into the Great Vehicle path.

Value an encompassing and far-reaching practice.

Seek for the three principal conditions.

Purify the coarser ones first.

Practice that which is more effective.

Don’t let three factors weaken.

Never be parted from the three possessions.

If you relapse, meditate on it as the antidote.

Engage in the principal practices right now.

In the future, always put on armor.

Don’t apply a wrong understanding.

Don’t be sporadic.

Practice unflinchingly.

Be liberated by examination and analysis.

Don’t be boastful.

Don’t be short-tempered.

Don’t make a short-lived attempt

Don’t expect gratitude.

Training in the ultimate awakening mind

When stability has been attained, impart the secret teaching:

Consider all phenomena as like dreams,

Examine the nature of unborn awareness.

The remedy itself is released in its own place,

Place the essence of the path on the nature of the basis of all.

In between meditation sessions, be like a conjuror, a creator of illusions.

This is the short piece written by Geshe Lang-ri Tang-pa (1054-1123) known as the "Eight Verses for Training the Mind." This was the work that inspired Geshe Che-ka-wa (1101-1175) to go in search of a living holder of the mind training tradition. These verses were first explained to me when I was a small boy in Lhasa, and I have recited them every day since then as part of my personal practice.

Eight Verses for Training the Mind

With the determination to accomplish

The highest welfare of all sentient beings,

Who surpass even a wish-granting jewel,

I will learn to hold them supremely dear.

Whenever I associate with others I will learn

To think of myself as the lowest amongst all

And respectfully hold others to be supreme

From the very depths of my heart.

In all actions I will learn to search into my mind

And as soon as a disturbing emotion arises

Endangering myself and others

I will firmly face and avert it.

I will learn to cherish ill-natured beings

And those oppressed by strong misdeeds and sufferings

As if I had found a precious

Treasure difficult to find.

When others out of envy treat me badly

With abuse, slander, and the like

I will learn to take all loss

And offer the victory to them.

When the one whom I have benefitted with great hope

Hurts me very badly without reason

I will learn to view that person

As an excellent spiritual guide.

In short, I will learn to offer to everyone without exception

All help and happiness directly and indirectly

And respectfully take upon myself

All harm and suffering of my mothers.

I will learn to keep all those practices

Undefiled by the stains of the eight worldly concerns

And by understanding all phenomena as like illusions

Be released from the bondage of attachment.

© `Awakening the Mind, Lightening the Heart - His Holiness The Dalai Lama’ published (1997) by HarperCollins Publishers, 7/16, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi 110 002. Reprinted with permission.

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