Transform Your Mind: Buddhist Mind Training
Week 1: Introduction to Mind Training - Rising to the Challenge (2 March 2023)
David Oromith · 82 minutes · recorded March 3, 2023
This new course on lojong, Buddhist mind training, opens with a short relaxation meditation to settle the group. David explains that we cannot stop difficulties happening, only stop them robbing us of our peace, using the spark, fuel and flame image and Shantideva's line: if there is a solution why worry, and if there is none why worry. Questions explore turning anger into compassion, separating regret from guilt, and the habit of rehearsing arguments that never go as planned.
First, cultivate self-awareness. We need to be aware of how our mind creates our suffering. If we still believe that our unhappiness is solely caused by the external world, then the practices of lojong will be inaccessible to us. Secondly, dispense with this attitude of utter aversion to difficult situations. There could be some positive to come out of it, should we choose, so be open to that. Thirdly, cultivate the willingness and openness to face difficult situations head on. Empowering ourself with this strong mind of fortitude, in the knowledge that we are the ones in control of our wellbeing and mental state, not any one else. (The alternative is to let the external world control your happiness - not much freedom in that!) Fourthly, doing our best not to dwell on the negative aspects of any difficult situation that we experience. Two episodes of the podcast follow on from this session: Changing Negative Habits and Cultivating Positive Ones, and, for anyone new to these ideas, Genuine Happiness.
Anger and aversion Anxiety and fear Guilt and regret Habits and change Relaxation Compassion (karuna) Lojong (mind training) Shantideva