In Tibetan Buddhism, the sutras consist of over one hundred volumes. These can be divided into three baskets delving into discipline, wisdom, concentration. It is said that during degenerate times, reciting the Heart Sutra once is equivalent to reciting the hundred volumes.

We can ask what is it that we need to transform? 

Without examining our mind, we do not realize the influence of the three poisons (anger/desire/ignorance) at work in all our thoughts and actions, we just follow the lead of the emotions without concern, like a monkey moving from here to there with no direction in mind.

We must apply what we learn, not just listen, one way to do this is watch our thoughts and see which are virtuous – not stained by the three poisons, and which are non-virtuous. We can do this anywhere even without a formal meditation period. If you want to keep track like a Tibetan yogi, you could have an actual pile of black stones, and white stones and divide them for each thought that you notice. When the yogi did this at the start the pile of black stones was much larger, over time and practice the white stones increased.

Ask yourself if you want to be happy or if you want to suffer, keeping in mind that true happiness is a peaceful spacious mind.

2024-02-25 recording

• reviewing from stanza 85 of Lama Chopa and the preciousness of a human rebirth 
• importance of recognizing the preciousness of human life and the need to contemplate impermanence, which helps bring benefits: 
  • can help individuals face life’s challenges with courage and prevent anxiety 
  • prevent clinging to happiness and suffering, realizing both are temporary states 
  • motivates one to dedicate their life to meaningful pursuits 
  • prevents one from squandering a human rebirth with pursuits like hoarding wealth 

• human’s brain and intelligence in comparison to other (animal) realms is the reason for the preciousness of a human rebirth.  

2024-02-18 Recording