Let's reflect on our precious human life.
Specifically,
Its value and its purpose.
And in doing so,
To check in our minds how much,
To what extent we are fulfilling that value and purpose.
And where we could improve it so that we can really take advantage of this opportunity.
So one of the uses or purposes of our precious human life is to prepare for future lives.
So although this is included if we dedicate for the welfare of all beings,
Enlightenment of all beings,
Still it's very helpful to think of our next life and what kind of person we want to be,
What kind of environment we want to be born into.
And then to check to what extent we are using this life to create the cause for that.
By keeping ethical conduct,
Practicing the six perfections,
And then dedicating merit for that aim.
So beginning with your next life,
Then contemplate how you are preparing for it and using this life to prepare for it.
That's one way of taking the essence of this life.
And then the second usage or purpose of our precious human life is to progress on the path to full awakening.
So again contemplate and ask yourself to what extent do I really think of that as a purpose in my life.
To what extent do I create the causes for it by studying,
Reflecting and meditating on the Dharma.
And accumulating all the merit to support a realization of emptiness.
Studying emptiness,
Purifying to remove obstacles and so on.
And then the third way of taking the essence of this life is to use it moment by moment.
Especially to practice the mind training,
But also to be aware of how we perceive things.
To check if things exist the way they appear to us.
To observe when afflictions arise in the mind and then apply the teachings to release them and to generate virtuous attitudes and emotions in their stead.
So here to check to see how we make our lives meaningful by doing this.
So with that kind of awareness let's generate the bodhicitta so that we can progress towards full awakening for ourselves and for all beings.
Thank you.
