Intermediate Buddhism: The 7 Points Of Mind Training

The 7 Points of Mind Training (Lojong) is a classic Tibetan Buddhist teaching designed to wake us up to the boundlessness of our heart and to cultivate truthfulness and harmony in our relationships. They include 59 slogans that teach a provocative yet practical approach to practice and life, and include the well-known Tonglen meditation, giving and receiving on the breath. These teachings encourage us to first get in touch with our inner resource of love for ourselves and others. Then, using this foundation of care, we begin to turn toward our places of difficulty. We learn to offer ourselves space and clarity in order to address areas of conflict and challenge. We then open up to the experiences of others. We train in compassion to all beings, and connect to those in particular who share the same difficulties that we do. The ultimate goal is an appropriate response to the challenges of life. We train to face these difficulties directly, with a loving and spacious attitude. We develop wisdom and insight about where we may be causing our own suffering through learned habits that are unhelpful. Through skillful communication and letting go of our self-centered attitude, we discover connection and healing for ourselves and the world. The 59 Slogans of the 7 Points of Mind Training are as follows: Point #1: Train in the Foundations 1. First, train in the preliminaries. Point #2: Train in Compassion 2. Regard all dharmas as dreams. 3. Examine the nature of awareness. 4. Self-liberate even the antidote. 5. Rest in the openness of mind. 6. In life, realize the illusory nature of the world and let go. 7. Sending and taking should be practiced alternately. These two should ride the breath. 8. Begin the sequence of sending and taking with yourself. 9. Three objects, three poisons, and three seeds. 10. In all activities, train with slogans. Point #3: Transform Difficulty into the Path 11. Transform all problems into the path. 12. Drive all blames into one. 13. Be grateful to everyone. 14. Practice openness in the midst of confusion. 15. Be generous and don’t harm. 16. Whatever you meet unexpectedly, join with meditation. Point #4: Make Your Life Your Path 17. Practice the five strengths, the condensed heart instructions. 18. Practice for death as well as for life. Point #5: Apply Insight and Joy 19. All dharma agrees at one point. 20. Of the two witnesses, hold the principal one. 21. Always maintain only a joyful mind. 22. If you can practice even when distracted, you are well trained. Point #6: Be Responsible in Your Relationships 23. Always abide by the three basic principles. 24. Change your attitude, but remain natural. 25. Don’t talk about injured limbs. 26. Don’t ponder others. 27. Work with your biggest problems first. 28. Abandon any hope of fruition. 29. Abandon poisonous food. 30. Don’t be so predictable. 31. Don’t malign others. 32. Don’t wait in ambush. 33. Don’t bring things to a painful point. 34. Don’t transfer the ox’s load to the cow. 35. Don’t try to be the fastest. 36. Don’t act with a twist. 37. Don’t make gods into demons. 38. Don’t seek others’ pain as the limbs of your own happiness. Point #7: Communicate from the Heart 39. All activities should be done with one intention. 40. Correct all wrongs with one intention. 41. Two activities: one at the beginning, one at the end. 42. Whichever of the two occurs, be patient. 43. Observe, even at the risk of your life. 44. Train in the three difficulties. 45. Take on the three principal causes. 46. Pay heed that the three never wane. 47. Keep the three inseparable. 48. Train without bias in all areas. 49. Always meditate on whatever provokes resentment. 50. Don’t be swayed by external circumstances. 51. This time, practice the main points. 52. Don’t misinterpret. 53. Don’t vacillate. 54. Train wholeheartedly. 55. Liberate yourself by examining and analyzing. 56. Don’t wallow in self-pity. 57. Don’t be jealous. 58. Don’t be frivolous. 59. Don’t expect applause.