Seven Points of Mind Training

Point 2 : Training in Bodhichitta

9: In all activities train with slogans.

Point Two, Relative Bodhichitta Slogans : In all activities train with slogans.

Commentary :

This slogan, which is connected with postmeditation practice, is very interesting and important. We have been using this technique all the time, throughout our practice. Particularly in dharmic environments, wherever we have a wall we post the slogans in order to remind ourselves of them. The point is to catch the first thought. It is not all that simple-minded. The idea is that in catching the first thought, that first thought should have some words.

In this case, whenever you feel that quality of me-ness, whenever you feel "I" - and maybe "am" as well - then you should think of these two sayings: 1) May I receive all evils; may my virtues go to others. 2) Profit and victory to others; loss and defeat to myself. It doesn't have to be verbalized, but is a thought process: whenever you have a sense of yuckiness, you make it your property; whenever you have a sense of vision or upliftedness, you give it to others. So there is that sort of black and white contrast: black and white, nausea and relaxation, feeling ugly and feeling pretty. (Vidyadhara flips his hand back and forth.) That flip takes place very simply. When there is "I," you take it - when there is "am," you give it. It takes quite a lot of effort because it is a big job. That is why it is called the mahayana (big vehicle), it is a big deal. You can not fall asleep at the wheel when you are driving on this big highway. It takes quite a lot of effort! It is no joke. You can't go wrong with such heavy-handedness. It is the best kind of heavy-handedness that has ever occurred. It's no joke.