QUESTION
Dearest Ven. Robina,
I’m sorry to tell you that I won’t be able to go to the empowerment after all.
I’ve had some unexpected costs, and I’ve had to use the money I had put aside for retreats. I’ve looked into other ways of gathering the money, but so far without success. I’m saddened that I can’t go, but I feel it wouldn’t be wise to spend the money now
I also saw that the empowerment is the same one that I received online from His Holiness, so I’m very grateful that I have already received it. Of course, I would have loved to receive it again from Rinpoche, attend the teachings on the Six Yogas, and be there.
I pray that my financial situation will improve soon, so that I’ll be able to attend future retreats and teachings without finances being such a limiting factor.
Much love and gratitude,
S
ANSWER
S: I understand.
If you could find a way to go — the instructions on the Six Yogas of Naropa is pretty unusual, and important for you to receive, I would say. Not to mention Vajra Yogini.
Have you written to the center and asked for a scholarship? Or perhaps suggest a payment plan? I don’t know what their policy is.
Can you afford at least the travel costs?
I’d suggest you aspire to go and see what happens. Everything exists on the tip of the wish: the intention, the thought: “may I,” “I will.”
What do you think?
Love,
Robina
QUESTION
Dearest Ven. Robina,
Thank you. I understand what you mean, and I will keep aspiring to go and see what may become possible.
The retreat itself is actually not very expensive, so that is not the main difficulty. My bigger concern is the cost of travel, together with the loss of income during the days I would be away. After the unexpected costs, that combination feels difficult for me to manage responsibly at the moment.
But I will look again and see whether there may still be another way.
I take seriously what you say about Vajra Yogini, the Six Yogas instructions being unusual and important for me to receive, and I won’t close the door completely.
Much love,
S
ANSWER
Good!
When I worked for the FPMT office years ago, and a man called Harvey was the director, we received a big donation and Lama Zopa Rinpoche said, “This is the result of Harvey’s mandala offerings.”
So there are more ways to make money than the usual methods.
So keep praying to do what is most beneficial, and, of course, as His Holiness says, “long term better than short term.”
What else?
Rx
QUESTION
I am praying to do what’s the most beneficial. And I wholeheartedly believe and trust in the unusual options to be possible.
Also still looking at “conventional worldly” options too.
Thank you!
Love,
S
ANSWER
It might well be that what is most beneficial is to not receive the empowerments.
That’s why the thought “May I do what’s most beneficial” is the best!
Rx
QUESTION
Yes, that could be possible indeed.
I am doing the best I can to make it possible, the action on my part is there. If nothing comes from it then I’ll let it go. I will be happy and accept whatever the outcome will be.
That’s what makes the most sense in my mind or am I wrong?
Love,
S
ANSWER
Yes, perfect.
“I want” or “May I” or “I will”: this is the literal meaning of the mental factor, intention — not motivation; intention, volition. It’s there every second. It’s a neutral mental factor insofar as it’s neither non-virtuous nor virtuous: it’s bare bones, what I like to call the mechanics of the mind. Murderers and meditators need it: it leads everything. It’s a technical point. It’s what Rinpoche means by “everything exists on the tip of the wish”: intention: I want, I will, may I.
If there isn’t that mental factor, nothing will happen. It leads the way. So, if the intention to buy an ice cream is there firmly in the mind, every step we take is driven by that very intention. And we can see when it’s driven by huge attachment, we can do anything!
If the intention is there to attend an initiation, ditto.
Which seems to be exactly what you’re doing!
What I’ve noticed is when we hear about doing something and we can’t see the possibility to do it, our first thought is no, not possible. Then nothing happens. We’re stuck.
I think this is what holds most of us back from achieving anything.
And, as you say, “If nothing comes from it then I’ll let it go. I will be happy and accept whatever the outcome will be.”
And you can remember that all that hard work to achieve the goal stays in the bank and creates the cause for it to happen eventually.
Everything exists on the tip of the wish!
Much love, most dear S.
Rx
QUESTION
Thank you. Your explanation makes it so clear, and it really landed.
The way you make the Dharma so precise, practical, and alive is incredible.
I feel very grateful to have you as my teacher.
Much love!
S