Chapter 8, A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life: Meditation, with Geshe Tenley
Transforming our minds from unhappy, unsatisfied, and unfulfilled states to those of ease, happiness and peace is entirely possible, through practicing a specific set of skills, one of which is meditation. In this chapter, Bodhisattva Shantideva discusses how our fluctuating emotions create never-ending problems in our lives and how we can begin the process of reducing our bondage to these fluctuations by diminishing our attachment to external sources of happiness, which ultimately never satisfy.
Once the pursuit of ephemeral pleasures has been reduced, the mind can focus on eliminating our attachment to them completely, by developing single-pointed concentration through meditation. Topics also addressed include the hindrances to effective meditation, how to overcome them, and the substantial short and long-term benefits to be gained.
As single-pointedness itself can only bring the peace of personal liberation but not the infinite happiness of Buddhahood, Bodhisattva Shantideva also addresses the crucial topic of how to develop the awakening mind of bodhicitta, which provides the energy to achieve this goal. One of the most effective meditation techniques for developing this mind is known as “equalizing and exchanging ourselves with others,” which has the effect of increasing our concern for others and diminishing our self-interest.
Geshe Tenley will lead a brief meditation at the beginning of each class. At the completion of this series, we will study Chapter 9, which discusses how to enhance one’s bodhicitta by the complementary factor of special insight, or wisdom.
All are welcome to attend!
>> Additional reference material by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, recently published by Wisdom Publications: The Power of Meditation
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