As part of my "Monk Mornings”,  a morning ritual of focus and reflection, I’ve been studying Tibetan Lojong Practice or Mind Training. This consists of 59 slogans and today I focused on number 51.

“Practice the main points”

These main points are:

1. Take on the attitude of benefiting others more than yourself. Start by noticing how many thoughts occur to you that are about your concerns and how many thoughts arise that are about others let alone about benefiting others.

2. Practice is more important than study. Book learning only takes you so far. It is like learning to ride a bicycle. Training wheels help you learn balance but eventually you have to take them off to become fluent. Without the learning you’d never get of the ground but, keeping with the same metaphor, it is the practice of flying that gives life.

3. Of all the practices you can do, Loving-Kindness is the most important. This is not an add-on but the richness of a life in relationship. To much focus on self-improvement can make you more self-centered. This is the antidote.

Hope you have an awesome day!

Credits — The 59 Lojong Slogans - Atisha's mind-training techniques. Commentary by Judy Lief Tricycle Magazine 2010

This journal is meant as a reminder to encourage my future self. Where I work on my mental fitness and ‘adulting’. A reminder to him to operate in the world with love and compassion and some tips put together in a moment of clarity to help him when he is less clear and caught up in stuff the he can’t control.  Continue the conversation anytime: will@kestrelcreek.com.