Sit comfortably with your back straight,
Relax your body and let any tensions dissolve and flow away.
Spend a few minutes calming and settling your mind.
When your mind has come and settled in the here and now,
Generate a positive motivation for doing the meditation.
You can think for example,
May this meditation bring greater peace and happiness to myself and others,
To the whole world.
Begin the meditation by contemplating that the nature of your mind is clear and pure and has the potential to become enlightened,
The state of complete purity,
Goodness and perfection.
This is true for yourself and all other beings.
The nature of every being's mind is clear like space,
Vast and unlimited.
Our negative thoughts and emotions are not prominent for fixed parts of the mind but are transient like clouds that pass through the sky.
And because they are based on ignorance and misconceptions,
They can be cleared away and the mind can be developed to a state that is completely pure and positive.
Ultimately,
If you find it difficult to accept that the mind has the potential to become enlightened,
You can think of the positive qualities that you have.
Intelligence,
Loving kindness,
Compassion,
Generosity,
Courage and remind yourself that this can be developed even further,
That you can use your life to bring benefit and happiness to others.
And spend some time contemplating this and feel joyful about the potential that lies within you.
Despite all beings have the potential to transform their mind and become enlightened,
Not all beings are in the most ideal situation in which they can recognize and develop their potential.
Human beings are generally in the best situations.
Non-human beings either have too much suffering or are incapable of developing their potential due to ignorance and other delusions.
Imagine what it would be like as animal,
For example.
Animals in the wild have no one to care for them when they experience hunger,
Thirst,
Heat,
Cold,
Sickness or injuries,
And are almost constant fear for their lives.
Domestic animals are sometimes better off,
But lack freedom and are often killed for meat,
Fur or other products.
And all animals,
Even the most intelligent,
Have extremely limited mental capacities and are unable to develop themselves intellectually or spiritually.
Contemplate this to get a sense of how fortunate you are to have a human life.
But not all human beings have the right conditions to recognize and develop their potential.
Imagine,
For example,
Being a destitute beggar or living in a war zone.
Most of your time and energy would be spent simply trying to keep yourself and your family alive.
You would have little or no time to think of anything else such as spiritual practice.
Imagine suffering from a severe mental disability or illness which would make it very difficult for you to understand the teachings on the mind's potential and how to develop it.
Or having a physical condition that caused you a great deal of pain,
Discomfort and inconvenience and hindered your ability to learn and practice spiritual teachings.
Some people do not have access to spiritual teachings that explain the mind's potential and how to develop it.
Imagine spending your entire life in a small remote village where no one has even heard about enlightenment.
So there is no opportunity to learn how to attain it.
Other people may be aware of their potential and sincerely wish to practice the teachings on how to develop it,
But are prevented from doing so by others.
For example,
People in some countries do not have freedom of religion.
Others face strong objections from their parents,
Spools or children.
Imagine yourself in such situations,
Recognize how difficult it would be and appreciate the freedom that you have.
Then there are many people who are physically and mentally healthy,
Are materially well off and have the freedom and opportunity to learn spiritual teachings,
But are simply not interested.
Their interests lie elsewhere,
Accumulating wealth,
Property and possessions,
Acquiring worldly knowledge or skills,
Or simply experiencing as much pleasure as they can.
They never consider that all the things will be left behind when they die,
Like a dream that vanished as soon as we wake up,
And that only their mind will continue to the next life.
Some people engage in harmful actions,
Such as killing,
Stealing,
Being abusive or dishonest,
Not realizing that these actions cause suffering to themselves and others and create further obstacles to discovering their true potential.
Recognize how fortunate you are to be interested in enlightenment and use in your life in meaningful,
Beneficial ways for yourself and others.
Now bring to mind the positive qualities and advantages you have.
You are a human being with an intelligent mind,
A loving heart and a body you can put to good use.
There are people who care about and support you,
Family,
Friends,
Spiritual teachers.
You have opportunities to pursue your creative,
Intellectual and social interests.
You enjoy a good standard of living,
At least you have enough to stay alive,
And most of all you have the potential and opportunity,
Because of all the other benefits,
To investigate,
Understand and transform your mind.
Even if your life does not afford as much freedom and comfort as you would like,
And even if you have to live with some very difficult problems and challenges,
No matter where you are and what conditions you live in,
You can always work on your mind.
Think now how few people or creatures on earth share these freedoms and chances with you.
When you have considered this deeply,
You will realize how rare and precious a life like yours is.
I appreciate your good fortune.
Once you have seen the disadvantages your life is free of and the advantages you enjoy,
Decide how best to use your precious opportunities.
Think of all the possibilities open to you.
Work,
Travel,
Enjoyment,
Study.
If you wish to offer service to others,
There are countless opportunities to help those less fortunate than you.
But the most meaningful and beneficial thing you can do,
But for yourself and others,
Is to develop yourself spiritually,
Overcoming the negative aspects of your mind and increasing the positive and actualizing your potential for enlightenment.
See if you can feel a sense of joy and appreciation for the wonderful situation you have.
Resolve to use your life wisely,
Doing your best to avoid harming others and instead helping them as much as you can and developing your love,
Compassion,
Wisdom and other positive qualities that will enable you to actualize your highest potential.
Finally,
Dedicate the energy and inspiration you have gained from doing this meditation to the ultimate happiness of all beings.
