23. Whatever you meet unexpectedly, join with meditation. This slogan is a reminder that the only path out of my habitual experiences is through them. When I encounter something unexpected, I can let it stop my mind. Then I can notice the moment of bewilderment, astonishment and space and let myself rest in this gap …
6. In post-meditation, be a child of illusion. This is the final absolute bodhicitta slogan. It deals with the post-meditation experience, which is essentially everything that happens off the cushion. Trungpa Rinpoche writes, “Being a child of illusion means that you continue what you have experienced in your sitting practice…into postmeditation experience.” You continue to …
24. Of the two witnesses, hold the principal one. The “two witnesses” are my view of myself and others’ view of me. The “principal one” is my view of myself. This slogan reminds me that I’m the only one who really knows myself, whether it’s the shiny parts that I like and want to show …
14. Don’t ponder others; Don’t talk about injured limbs; Don’t malign others. This trio of slogans reveals the “naked truth” about how we so often spend our time thinking about and talking about other people and their shortcomings. When I constantly think and gossip about what I see others doing that I don’t like, or …
15. Don’t wait in ambush; don’t bring things to a painful point; don’t try to be the fastest. Here’s another set of reminders about our habitual way of relating with others: we wait until the time is right to attack, keep going in a conflict until it hurts and always compete and try to outdo …
16. Don’t make gods into demons; abandon poisonous food; don’t act with a twist. The first two slogans here describe the common experience of turning something beneficial, such as gods or food, into something harmful, such as demons or poison. For example, although exercise is beneficial to my body, if I overdo it or become obsessed with it then I might …
26. Always meditate on whatever provokes resentment. Similar to the slogan, “Whatever you meet unexpectedly, join with meditation,” this one is a reminder that I can view anger, resentment, frustration, hatred and other unpleasant emotional reactions as openings to a direct experience of the present moment. I can welcome these emotions as reminders rather than …
27. Don’t be swayed by external circumstances; don’t vacillate. These two slogans go together to remind us that the direct experience of our world starts in the sense perceptions and the mind. It’s the stories we tell ourselves about the direct experience that paint the world in different shades of “like” and “don’t like.” This …
28. Don’t misinterpret. This slogan invites us to differentiate between the genuine and idiot forms of compassion, patience and generosity. The idiot form of each quality, which we could also call “neurotic” or “habitual” or “conditioned,” is based in fear, keeps me grounded in my comfort zone and creates separation from my experience. It is what I do when I am …
29. Don’t expect applause. This is another favorite slogan of mine! Akin to the practice of “refraining from outrageous conduct” described in Slogan 32, it’s a pointer to the opportunity I have to just do what needs to be done with sincerity and genuine intention. I don’t have to make a big show about what …