Seven Point Mind Training

as taught by Choden Rinpoche, at Vajrayana Institute, January 5th & 6th, 2008

1. Preliminaries

Prayer trains our minds, with compassion planted as a seed that ultimately is harvested through all mind realisations. In the same way that water and manure can be added to crops to yield a greater harvest, compassion is the organic growth matter that inspires the deeds of the bodhisattvas. With great compassion harvest continues after Buddhahood is reached, the nectar of compassion is realised in greater peace and joy.

2. Train the Awakening Mind

a) Train the conventional awakening mind

Banish the one to blame for everything,

Meditate on the great kindness of all beings.

Practice a combination of giving and taking.

Giving and taking should be practiced alternately

And you should begin by taking from yourself.

These two should be made to ride on the breath.

Concerning the three objections, the three poisons and three virtues,

The instruction to be followed, in short

Is to be mindful of the practice in general

By taking these words to heart in all activities.

b) Train the ultimate awakening mind

When stability has been attained, hear the secret teaching:

Consider all phenomena as like dreams,

Examine the nature of unborn awareness.

The remedy itself is released in it’s own place

Place the essence of the path on the nature of the basis of all.

In the period between sessions, be a creator of illusions.

3. Transform Adverse Circumstances

When the environment and it’s inhabitants overflow with unwholesomeness,

Transform adverse circumstances into the path of enlightenment.

Apply meditation immediately at every opportunity.

The supreme method is accompanied by the four practices.

Purifying obscurations, accumulating great merit, offering practice to the spirits and offering to the dharma protectors.

4. The Integrated Practice Of A Single Lifetime

In brief, the essence of the instruction is

To train in the five powers

The five powers themselves are Great Vehicles

Precepts on the transference of consciousness

Cultivate these paths of practice.

Determination and motivation, overcoming obstacles to practice, familiarity with extending the self for others, destruction of self cherishing attitudes, devotion through cultivating the habit of prayer.

5. The Measure Of Having Trained The Mind

Integrate all of these teachings into one thought,

Primary importance should be given to the two witnesses

Constantly cultivate only a peaceful mind.

The measure of a trained mind is that it has turned away.

There are five great marks of a trained mind

The trained mind retains control even when distracted.

A great ascetic engaging in lojang, a bodhisattva can bear much hardship for the benefit of other sentient beings, with virtue and freedom from a self cherishing attitude we exhibit great joy and become the ‘bright sun’.

6. The Commitments Of Mind Training

1. Don’t go against the mind training that you have promised to observe,

2. Don’t be reckless in your practice,

3. Don’t be partial, always train in the three general points,

4. Transform your attitude but maintain your natural behaviour,

5. Don’t speak of others incomplete qualities,

6. Don’t concern yourself with the business of others,

7. Train to encounter whichever emotion is the most disturbing,

8. Give up every hope of reward,

9. Avoid poisonous food,

10. Don’t maintain misplaced loyalty,

11. Don’t make sarcastic remarks,

12. Don’t lie in ambush,

13. Don’t strike at the vital point,

14. Don’t burden an ox with the load of a dzo,

15. Don’t abuse the practice,

16. Don’t sprint to win the race,

17. Don’t turn gods into devils,

18. Don’t seek others' misery as a means to happiness.

7. The Precepts of Mind Training

1. Every yoga should be performed as one,

2. All errors are to be amended by one means,

3. There are two activities, at beginning and at end,

4. Whichever occurs, be patient with both,

5. Guard both at the cost of your life,

6. Train in the three difficulties,

7. Seek the three principle causes,

8. Don’t let the three factors weaken,

9. Never be parted from the three possessions,

10. Train consistently without partiality,

11. Value an encompassing and far reaching practice,

12. Train consistently to deal with difficult situations,

13. Don’t rely on other conditions,

14. Engage in the principal practices right now,

15. Don’t apply a wrong understanding,

16. Don’t be sporadic,

17. Practice unflinchingly,

18. Release investigation and analysis,

19. Don’t be boastful,

20. Don’t be short-tempered,

21. Don’t make a short lived attempt,

22. Don’t expect gratitude.