QUESTION
Good morning, Ven. Robina.
I am writing because I am having a little difficulty with my practice.
I feel like the practices have become just another part of my daily “to-do” list.
In my deep seated desire to be a good boy I faithfully do the practices each day – offerings, Six-session Guru Yoga, nine-round breathing, my deity practice – but I feel like I’m racing through the practice, trying to get it done, rather than settling into the practice as something that supports my being.
Can you offer any advice as to how to proceed through this stage of practice?
Thank you again for your time.
Take care,
D
ANSWER
Good to hear from you, D!
I understand, for sure. And it’s normal, I promise!
First look at the good side of things: It is so good that you’re being a good boy — much better than giving up your practice.
Why is because we forget that the long-term benefit of your keeping your word of honor, your commitments is the main cause of your meeting the Dharma, the buddhas, the gurus again in future lives. We mightn’t see much benefit now, but even rushing the practices but nevertheless doing them programs your mind with the Dharma, with virtue, with the qualities of the buddhas you’re practicing. And this too, of course, is the very cause of becoming them in the future, which is the point!
Be so pleased about this!
How to improve your practice? You need to keep hearing the teachings: one thing — otherwise you forget all about why you’re doing all these practices in the first place.
Another is to nourish your devotion in the guru buddhas. If our devotion goes cold, then we will give it all up. Try to grow that: think of the qualities of His Holiness, your other lamas, think of the qualities of your deity: this is crucial. Cultivate a feeling of closeness to them, of their having affection for you, of only wanting to help you. Devotion means the heart is open, so you have to nourish it.
What do you think?
Love,
Robina
QUESTION
Good morning, Robina.
Thank you for your words and encouragement.
I understand the idea that the practices now are for the future. But sometimes I feel like our human experience in this life gets lost in the push for future benefit.
I tried letting go of the practice – that lasted about two weeks – and I felt a “need” to start again.
Thank you for your encouragement to continue. I am continuing and I feel less anxious when I practice now, more at ease with the daily regimen.
I like reciting the Heart Sutra, like they do at a Japanese monastery where another of my teachers lives.
It had a big effect on me. I hear it frequently in my mind now and have even tried chanting it in Japanese since my return.
Although it is not Tibetan Buddhism, the Heart Sutra feels important to me. Emptiness is none other than form. Form is none other than emptiness.
I will keep with my practices. Particularly my yidam.
Thank you for the devotional encouragement. I appreciate your words very much.
Take care,
D
ANSWER
Good, D.
First of all, it is possible that “our human experience in this life gets lost in the push for future benefit,” but when our present practice is conscious and heartfelt, it can only enhance the quality of our present life — how could it not! Anything less than that won’t bring any benefit — now or in the future!
Tibetan Buddhism incorporates all the levels of Buddhist philosophy and practice — the Hinayana, the teachings and practices taught in Burma and Thailand, etc.; the Mahayana sutra teachings taught in Japan, China, etc.; and the Mahayana tantric teachings, the Vajrayana or Tantrayana.
Therefore, of course, Tibet has the Heart Sutra: it’s the first thing I recite every day: I love it!
There’s a lovely commentary by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, published by Wisdom: Essence of the Heart Sutra.
The key thing in order to develop devotion is to imagine that your yidam is the guru and the guru is your yidam: it makes it so real, so personal. So if you like you could imagine that your other teacher is oneness with the mind of His Holiness and therefore the yidam as well.
Whatever moves the heart, okay!
QUESTION
Thank you for your words, Ven. Robina. I appreciate your council very much.
I’ll check out the Dalai Lama’s commentary on the Heart Sutra. The chanting of the sutra has had a big effect on me. It warrants further investigation.
I will continue with my daily practices!
Thank you again for your time and wisdom.
Take care,
D