How To Actualise Bodhicitta (Awakening Mind) Every Day.
and why we should want to put others’ happiness above our own…
Undertaking daily life with Bodhicitta motivation is central to the Mahayana Buddhist practice of helping others with compassion and loving kindness.
Every day we should remind ourselves that others are more important than ourselves as this will help us to begin the work of banishing our self-cherishing and ego attachment.
“If you take a proper look deep into your heart you will see that one of the main causes of your dissatisfaction is the fact that you are not helping others as best you can. When you realize this you’ll be able to say to yourself, ‘I must develop myself so that I can help others satisfactorily. By improving myself I can definitely help.’ “ — Lama Thubten Yeshe.
In the morning before we rise, we can begin by reciting:
“Today I set the intention to actualise Bodhicitta for the benefit of all sentient beings” (x3)
We can then be mindful of and practice The Six Perfections throughout the day, as best we can, in order to effect the actualisation. These are:
- Dana — giving, generosity
- Sila — morality
- Ksanti — patience
- Virya — vigor, diligent effort
- Dhyana — meditation, concentration
- Prajna — wisdom
Giving doesn’t just refer to our money or material things, it also means giving of our time, listening well to others, teaching what we know and being generous with what we have and know for the benefit of someone else. We can incorporate patience whilst we are doing this and also strive to maintain a good level of effort.
Meditation is not only sitting still for extended periods of time but also having mindful awareness — mindfulness — at all times during the day. Being aware of what the mind is doing moment to moment we can save ourselves from causing a lot of suffering both for ourselves and others we come into contact with.
Engaging in acts of generosity, patience, moral discipline, joyful effort, concentration and wisdom — with Bodhicitta motivation — are the steps toward the goal.
You can read more details about Bodhicitta: The Perfection of Dharma by Lama Thubten Yeshe here
We ordinarily have too much thinking and not enough wisdom going on in our minds. If we practice with the intention to gain knowledge which becomes wisdom, we can then stop doing so much thinking because we simply know. We become ‘one who knows’. This is where we learn how to solve our problems right when they arise which makes our life so much easier and prevents suffering.
Faith, trust and wisdom can be our greatest allies in combating the every day trials and tribulations we encounter. Strength and resilience, knowing ourselves, guarding ourselves against heedlessness. It all leads back to Dharma.
“In a way, bodhicitta is like a huge selfish attitude because when you dedicate yourself to others with loving kindness you get a lot more pleasure than you would otherwise.” — Lama Thubten Yeshe.
May all beings be well and happy. May all beings be free from suffering.
May this practice serve you well and move you forward in Dhamma.
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