Seven Points of Mind Training
From Training the Mind and Cultivating Loving Kindness
By Vidyadhara Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche
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Point 6 : Disciplines of Mind Training
35: Don't try to be the fastest.
Point Six :
Don't try to be the fastest.
Commentary :
When practitioners begin to develop their understanding of the dharma and
their appreciation of the dharma, they sometimes fall into a sort of
racehorse approach. They become involved with who is the fastest: who can
understand the highest meaning of mahamudra or the greatest meaning of
tantra or the highest idea of ultimate bodhichitta, or who has understood
any of the hidden teachings. Such practitioners are more concerned with
who can do their prostrations faster, who can sit better, who can eat
better, who can do this and that better. They are always trying to race
with other people. But if our practice is regarded purely as a race, we
have a problem. The whole thing has become a game rather than actual
practice, and there is no seed of benevolence and gentleness in the
practitioner. So you should not use your practice as a way to get ahead of
your fellow students. The point of this slogan is not to try to achieve
fame, honor, or distinction through one's practice.