Thank you David. Your post reminded me of the first time I encountered Sogyal Rinpoche"s The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. Many years ago as a geriatric nurse , I was the only witness to one of my residents dying. He had no living family and I felt bad that he would be alone. I still remember his name and face, and as I stood at his bedside observing his last breaths, I suddenly realized the immense gift I was being given at being present with him at this time of transition. I just remained standing by his side and thinking/speaking "You are not alone." After his death, I remember looking around his room and I felt he wanted me to take a little seashell from his dresser as a remembrance. Somehow the book became present in my life at that time period, and it opened my heart to so much. Since that experience I have been privileged to be with many others, human and non-human, at the times of their deaths. I am grateful and humbled.
Many thanks for sharing this, Marilyn! Helping people have a peaceful death is one of the greatest things that can be offered. I have a post on this coming up. Warmest wishes, David
Thank you David! I am reminded of a time I had 30 dogs of all ages and breeds in my care at a rescue organization and there weren’t enough hours in the day to cuddle and walk each one individually and this distressed me until it occurred to me to think of each walk I could accomplish as a walk for the 5-8 that wouldn’t get that attention on that day so I included their spirits as I walked the others and they in turn seemed to somehow know my love for them was included with the walkers and they settled down as tho they had been exercised as well! Then the question dawned on me, (and at the time I thought this might be a stretch )is this a form of Bodichitta? Are the dogs being walked somehow sending Love to the others by “sharing “ for the sake of others their time with me? 🐶🐶🐶💗 this helped me back then to understand how compassion and the motivation of Love can actually be applied to everything I do even with worldly time constraints…🌺 once again lessons from animals are the sweetest!
Who knows what happens in the minds of other beings, human or canine, but I agree that a mind of love and compassion can be applied to many things in daily life. At
Twala Animal Sanctuary, they take out dogs for daily walks in packs of twenty or more!
Thank you for this clear explanation, David. As a beginner in practicing bodhicitta I’m already finding that it helps turn the resentment of what are otherwise chores into pleasure and helps me be present in the moment. For example, as I lift my ageing dog into the car, instead of focusing on how my back hurts it makes me realise what aprivilege it is to be able to care for this wonderful being and to give back some of the love that she has shown us over the years. Very clever Tibetan psychology indeed!
I so agree, Julia. 'Grudge' jobs, which for me include washing the car and gardening, can be turned into benevolent actions, and as you say, the resentment disappears ...
Thank you so much David for this clear explanation of the concept of bodhichitta, that wonderful teaching and I’m so thankful that you explain Buddhist concepts in this highly comprehensible and accessible way.
The practice of meditation can become intellectual pretty quickly. Thank you for giving us such a clear explanation of Bodhichitta. 💕The cultivation of Bodhichitta makes it relational and real, and it helps the integration of practice in our every day life.
Many wishes for Saki Dawa tomorrow to you David and everyone else who celebrates . Bhavatu Sarva Mangalam 🙏🏻
Thank you David. Once again you get to the nut. It was a very clear explanation but remembering to do it is a problem.
Not insurmountable but something we must train our mind to do every time we do something or even if we are just sitting. There is no reason to bring up the subject in your mind. Thank you so much
Thank you, David. I have been contemplating to what I dedicate my life, my silence, and all my actions and seeking words to express how this corresponds to the Christian idea of salvation. It is extremely helpful to think about this practice of altruism. Your video was excellent. Love the photos. I can see that we didn't descend from cats! Sometimes I wish we had. Kathy
Yesterday, at Sravasti Abby, a monk gave a short presentation on Bodhicitta. I liked it. Then today this video breathed life into it. I aspire to be conscious enough to recollect this motivation in everything I do. I so desire enlightenment for all sentient beings.
Thank you for that explanation. It made things so much more clear. I hadn't realized that Bodhichitta included the desire for the enlightenment of non sentient beings. However, it makes sense. We are all one with all beings. So in fact, as Bodhichitta, would it not be accurate to say that there is a desire that all beings become aware of the enlightenment that already exists within?
Thank you (again) for the clear explanation of such an important subject!
It's a real privilege to be able to share this precious teaching thanks Mordy!
Thank you David. Your post reminded me of the first time I encountered Sogyal Rinpoche"s The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. Many years ago as a geriatric nurse , I was the only witness to one of my residents dying. He had no living family and I felt bad that he would be alone. I still remember his name and face, and as I stood at his bedside observing his last breaths, I suddenly realized the immense gift I was being given at being present with him at this time of transition. I just remained standing by his side and thinking/speaking "You are not alone." After his death, I remember looking around his room and I felt he wanted me to take a little seashell from his dresser as a remembrance. Somehow the book became present in my life at that time period, and it opened my heart to so much. Since that experience I have been privileged to be with many others, human and non-human, at the times of their deaths. I am grateful and humbled.
Many thanks for sharing this, Marilyn! Helping people have a peaceful death is one of the greatest things that can be offered. I have a post on this coming up. Warmest wishes, David
Thank you David! I am reminded of a time I had 30 dogs of all ages and breeds in my care at a rescue organization and there weren’t enough hours in the day to cuddle and walk each one individually and this distressed me until it occurred to me to think of each walk I could accomplish as a walk for the 5-8 that wouldn’t get that attention on that day so I included their spirits as I walked the others and they in turn seemed to somehow know my love for them was included with the walkers and they settled down as tho they had been exercised as well! Then the question dawned on me, (and at the time I thought this might be a stretch )is this a form of Bodichitta? Are the dogs being walked somehow sending Love to the others by “sharing “ for the sake of others their time with me? 🐶🐶🐶💗 this helped me back then to understand how compassion and the motivation of Love can actually be applied to everything I do even with worldly time constraints…🌺 once again lessons from animals are the sweetest!
Who knows what happens in the minds of other beings, human or canine, but I agree that a mind of love and compassion can be applied to many things in daily life. At
Twala Animal Sanctuary, they take out dogs for daily walks in packs of twenty or more!
Thank you for the explanation of bodhicitta and for the photos of the animals - both heartwarming.
My pleasure thank you Jeanne!
Thanks so muchbfor ur beautiful & heartwarming 💖 posts. This is Naomi Judith & I do look forward to meeting 😊 😀
My heartfelt thanks, Naomi!
Thank you David🙏🏽
Beautifully articulated.
Thank you Pat for all your support on our journey!
Thank you for this clear explanation, David. As a beginner in practicing bodhicitta I’m already finding that it helps turn the resentment of what are otherwise chores into pleasure and helps me be present in the moment. For example, as I lift my ageing dog into the car, instead of focusing on how my back hurts it makes me realise what aprivilege it is to be able to care for this wonderful being and to give back some of the love that she has shown us over the years. Very clever Tibetan psychology indeed!
I so agree, Julia. 'Grudge' jobs, which for me include washing the car and gardening, can be turned into benevolent actions, and as you say, the resentment disappears ...
Thank you so much David for this clear explanation of the concept of bodhichitta, that wonderful teaching and I’m so thankful that you explain Buddhist concepts in this highly comprehensible and accessible way.
My heartfelt thanks, Susanna!
The practice of meditation can become intellectual pretty quickly. Thank you for giving us such a clear explanation of Bodhichitta. 💕The cultivation of Bodhichitta makes it relational and real, and it helps the integration of practice in our every day life.
Many wishes for Saki Dawa tomorrow to you David and everyone else who celebrates . Bhavatu Sarva Mangalam 🙏🏻
Thank you for your writing, David.
Lovely to hear from you, Shirisha, and thank you so much for your beautiful message!
Thank you David. Once again you get to the nut. It was a very clear explanation but remembering to do it is a problem.
Not insurmountable but something we must train our mind to do every time we do something or even if we are just sitting. There is no reason to bring up the subject in your mind. Thank you so much
I agree, Peter. Like so much mind training, remembering to do it is the challenge!
Wonderful concise explanation. Thank you for saying, so clearly and supportively, things that help me understand things I really want to understand.
I am so,very glad to hear this Carol, thank you!
Thank you.
My pleasure, Jeannie!
Thank you, David. I have been contemplating to what I dedicate my life, my silence, and all my actions and seeking words to express how this corresponds to the Christian idea of salvation. It is extremely helpful to think about this practice of altruism. Your video was excellent. Love the photos. I can see that we didn't descend from cats! Sometimes I wish we had. Kathy
I am so glad to hear how this resonates with you, Kathy!
Thank you David for your explanation of Bodhichitta.
My pleasure, thanks Wendy!
Yesterday, at Sravasti Abby, a monk gave a short presentation on Bodhicitta. I liked it. Then today this video breathed life into it. I aspire to be conscious enough to recollect this motivation in everything I do. I so desire enlightenment for all sentient beings.
Thank you, David.
It is the ultimate motivation, Penelope! Delighted to hear of your Dharma journey!
Thank you for that explanation. It made things so much more clear. I hadn't realized that Bodhichitta included the desire for the enlightenment of non sentient beings. However, it makes sense. We are all one with all beings. So in fact, as Bodhichitta, would it not be accurate to say that there is a desire that all beings become aware of the enlightenment that already exists within?
Yes exactly, Lisa. We wish for all beings, ourselves included, to realize our Buddha nature.