LOJONG PRACTICE (LONG VERSION)

All items in red are recited aloud. These can and the silent reflections can be
done seated and/or while walking.
PART I: THE PRELIMINARIES
I have wasted enough time. Why waste any more? From now on, Ill do
something constructive and beneficial with my life, instead of
squandering it in meaningless activities.

Silent reflection
My life could easily have been different. I might have dies in infancy, be
suffering in grinding poverty, or be experiencing any of the things that
are anathema to pursuing a spiritual life. I am truly fortunate indeed.
Silent reflection
If even mountains are subject to change and dissolution, how much
more so is my body, which is susceptible to disease, breakdown, the
elements, accidents, and all kinds of harm? I must utilize my
opportunities now, before that chance is lost forever.
Silent reflection
Most of my experiences are unpleasant, because my mind is completely
unruly and disturbed by conflicting emotions. Even when I imagine Im
having a good time, its really only a disguised form of pain. As temporal
goals can only satisfy temporary needs, I will devote myself from this
day forward to spiritual practice.
Silent reflection

PART I: SETTING THE INTENTION

Eight Verses on Mind Training (standing)
1. By thinking of all sentient beings
As more precious than a wish-fulfilling jewel for accomplishing
the highest aim,
I will always hold them dear.
2. Whenever Im in the company of others,
I will regard myself as the lowest among all, and from the depths
of my heart cherish others as supreme.
3. In my every action, I will watch my mind, and the moment
destructive emotions arise, I will confront them strongly and avert
them, Since they will hurt both me and others.
4. Whenever I see ill-natured beings,
Or those overwhelmed by heavy misdeeds or suffering,
I will cherish them as something rare, as though Id found a
priceless treasure.
5. Whenever someone out of envy does me wrong by attacking or
belittling me, I will take defeat upon myself, and give the victory
to others.
6. Even when someone I have helped, or in whom I have placed
great hopes mistreats me very unjustly,
I will view that person as a true spiritual teacher.
7. In brief, directly or indirectly, I will offer help and happiness to all
my mothers, And secretly take upon myself
All their hurt and suffering.
8. I will learn to keep all these practices Untainted by thoughts of
the eight worldly concerns. may I recognize all things as like
illusions, And, without attachment, gain freedom from bondage.

Silent reflection

My current suffering is due to negative actions, attitudes, thoughts, and

emotions I performed in the past, and whatever I think, say, and do now
will determine what I experience and become in the future, and pursue
my spiritual practices with enthusiasm and positive intentions
Silent Reflection

May I have the power to go beyond selfish absorption and engage with
others. When I become enmeshed in selfishness, I will offer my own
happiness to living beings so as to counteract it. In the same way, should
a companion be ungrateful to me, I will be content in knowing that this
is in retribution for my own inconstancy.

Silent reflection


PART III: CULTIVATING BODHICITTA
Like a bubble, a lifetime has no inner core. Like a mist, it dissipates upon close
examination. Like a mirage, it is beautiful from afar, Like a reflection in a mirror, it
seems as if it were really true. Like clouds and fog, it seems as if it were really stable.
Silent reflection

My mind has no origin, it has never come into existence in the first place. It is not
located anywhere, inside or outside my body. It is not some object that goes
somewhere or ceases to exist. I will examine and investigate my mindso that I can
come to a precise and certain understanding of the nature of awareness, which has
no origin, location, or cessation.
Silent reflection
Even though I can see that life is a dream, a mist, a fog, and that my mind has no
origin or location, and while this knowledge makes me feel quiet, tranquil, and
serene, I will see that even this is a dream. It is just another mirage created by my
mind.. I will rest naturally in a state of bare awareness without thinking or forcing
my mind one way or the other.
Silent reflection


I will look closely at my own activities and will discover that they do not deserve the
trust I put in them. I am not the agent in power but the victim of my own
projections. I will turn my mind inward, look closely, and reflect on this. I will
investigate the real causes of imperfection.
Silent Reflection
The world is imperfect and will remain that way. I cannot change this but will see it
as an opportunity to awaken. I cannot control events but I can change my attitude
towards them. I will develop the wisdom not to assume that my initial responses
are always true and correct.
Silent Reflection
When something undesirable happens, rather than blaming somebody or something
else, I will look at how I might have contributed to it. I will train to ask: maybe this
isnt how things really are. It might be my own ego projecting something onto the
circumstances. I must learn to stop personalizing things. I will look at the poison
and not the person.
Silent Reflection
When confronted by negative circumstances I will try to thin k good thoughts and
try to turn the negative to my own spiritual advantage. I will reflect on the kindness
of others.
Silent Reflection
Many of my past motivations have been tainted by ego, anger, aggression, jealousy,
and resentment. I have gossiped and taken pleasure at others misfortune and failed
to act in an awakened and compassionate manner. The regret and shame that I feel
cannot be overcome until I have atoned with the deepest remorse and without
concealing anything.


PART IV: SELF REFLECTION
May what I am about to do yield beneficial results. May it give me the power to be of
real benefit to others, May it help me overcome my defilements and delusions. May
it clear away the obstacles on the path. May it propel me to the future state of
enlightenment,
Silent Reflection
There is nothing that does not grow light through habit and familiarity. Putting up
with little cares Ill train myself to bear them. I will look at how I respond to
situations---the words I use, my tone of voice, the look on my face; how I carry
myself, all of the little things I do from moment to moment that reflect my emotions
and mental state. I will pay attention to my thoughts, words, and deeds. Whatever I
am doing, I will maintain awareness and mindfulness.
Silent Reflection
I will plant white seeds through my awareness and mindfulness. I will continually
remind myself that my thoughts, words, and deeds are the three gates through
which I will move for the benefit of others. I shall purify my bodily and my verbal
forms of activity. My mental activities too I shall purify and do nothing that is non-
virtuous.
Silent Reflection
I will undertake to vigorously engage in self reflection to penetrate the layers of self-
deception I have created around myself so that I may be free from negative mental
states and emotions. I wll seek to break down and understand my experiences for
what they are and gain insight into my emotions and mental states.
Silent Reflection
May whatever I have done, no matter how small, have a ripple effect and influence
the lives of other beings in a positive way so that they can develop bodhicitta in
their mind streams and become freed of resentment, bitterness, hostility, and
hatred. May they find comfort and ease through the practice of love, compassion,
joy, and equanimity.

PART V: ASSESSING
Instead of deriving comfort from the suffering of others and drawing pleasure from all
the wrong place, I will generate mindfulness and awareness and take pleasure in living
with the right view. I will respond to others with less spite, jealousy, and egoism, and
will demonstrate more kindness, appreciation, and compassion. When I do, I am making
progress with my training.

Am I thinking more of others than myself?

Silent reflection

Am I less irritated and bothered by others and the things that happen around me?

Silent reflection

Am I more aware and mindful?

Silent reflection

Do I regularly engage in meditation?

Silent reflection

Do I find that the practice is becoming more automatic?

Silent reflection
Have I taken the time to examine and analyze my own mind?
Silent reflection
Have my activities been undertaken with the single intention to be of benefit to
others?
Silent reflection

Do I spend too much time pondering others and their weaknesses?

Silent reflection
Do I malign others and hold grudges?
Silent reflection
Do I wait in ambush for others?
Silent reflection
Have I brought things to a painful point?
Silent reflection
Have I practiced the main points: others before self, awakening compassion?
Silent reflection

A Song of Compassion (standing)

by Shabkar Tsokdruk Rangdrol

My heart goes out to all those who are now suffering, my very own mothers who
have cared for me so kindly, throughout the whole of time, from its very beginnings
until now. These kind mothers of mine helped to cool me when I was hot,
but now some have taken birth in the eight hot hells To be tormented by the searing
heat my heart goes out to them!
These mothers of mine gave me warmth when I was cold, but now some have taken
birth in the eight cold hells To be tormented by the freezing cold my heart goes
out to them!
These mothers of mine gave me food and drink in my hunger and thirst,
but now some have taken birth in the preta realm to be tormented by famine and
drought my heart goes out to them!
These kind mothers of mine always cared for me with love, but now some have
taken birth among the animals To be tormented by servitude and exploitation
my heart goes out to them!
These kind mothers of mine lovingly gave me whatever I desired, but now some
have taken birth among human beings to be tormented by the pains of aging and
death my heart goes out to them!
These kind mothers of mine shielded me from every harm, but now some have taken
birth among the asuras To be tormented by conflict and strife my heart goes out
to them!
These kind mothers of mine nurtured me and brought me only benefit, but now
some have taken birth among the gods To be tormented by death and
transmigration my heart goes out to them!

By yourselves, you have no chance to escape samsaras pains,
And for now you lack the power to provide your own protection
O my mothers, undergoing all this suffering, my heart goes out to you!
When I consider these sufferings which we all endure, I think to myself,
If only I could gain enlightenment! Let it not be tomorrow,
but let it come to me today!
Swiftly, ever so swiftly, may I gain awakening, and, having done so, dispel all beings
pain, Leading them all to perfect bliss, I pray!