The Fix-It Man in the Manufacturing Shop

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, author of “Flow” and other wonderful books wrote about an industrial shop worker he interviewed. He tells about the worker as being a wonderful example of his concept he has termed Flow. This worker’s single responsibility in the shop is to fix machinery that is malfunctioning or broken.

Rather than this worker becoming upset at a broken piece of machinery, he actually becomes focused and intrigued. When interviewed, the worker says that he finds each malfunction as a challenge. Its an opportunity to investigate what is wrong and fix the problem. The more difficult and challenging the problem, the more this worker focuses on the situation.

Mihaly relates this to the efforts of such workers as auto mechanics. He found that the best auto mechanics are typically very quiet when they are at work. They are completely focused on the work at hand. They tend to lose track of time and become “lost” in the task at hand.

I would like to suggest that this attention to the broken machine mentioned by the industrial shop employee is Exactly the same thing that Vajrayana Buddhist talk about when they teach the approach to our own problems and obstacles.

The fix-it man does not experience disappointment or anger. He is only focused on solving and fixing the problem.

I have recalled this story when something in my house has broken, like a toilet. Toilet repair is not one of my specialties. But rather than getting upset at the situation, if I can see the broken toilet as an opportunity to face a challenge and successfully solve it, then I end up finding the repair job enjoyable.

So to when we are faced with other malfunctions in our life, we can make the problem an opportunity to focus in on the situation. We put our attention on problem at hand and take action the best that we can. There are no negative thoughts r emotions, just excitement about the opportunity to get to work.

For me this is part of putting Buddhist teachings into practice at during my daily life. There always seem to be plenty of opportunities to “practice.”

Many Dharma Blessings,

Geoff

Monasteries, Universities, and Retreats

While it does not seem to be a common discussion within the Tibetan Buddhist community, there seems to be three primary different systems of study found within Tibetan Buddhism. There is the Monastery System, the University System, and the Retreat System.

Under the monastery system, a member becomes a monk, or an ani in the case of a woman. Training includes linguistics, rituals, art, monastery care, and eventually Tantric practices.

Within the university system, the structure of study is focused on academic analysis and understanding. Students begin with Pratimoksha, move on to Madhyamika and Prajnaparamita, and complete with the secret Tantras and practices.

Finally under the retreat system, the methods progress from outer preliminary practice of Ngondro, move on to various Tantric practices, and complete with esoteric Tantric practices of Atiyoga.

I think that it is a wonderful structure to provide a path for different constituencies and personal capabilities.

One of the matters of which I feel we should be aware, is that the form of teaching from a teacher could significantly differ depending on where the teacher’s primary source of study comes from.

A monastic teacher is going to emphasize structure and rituals associated with a practice. A university teacher is going to work with the philosophical methods and Views. A Retreat teacher is going to emphasize personal experience and realization.

I have received teachings from all three kinds of teachers. Each can absolutely take you along the path, they just have very different approaches. Rather than shutting out the value of a given teacher, be aware that the teacher may be approaching teachings from a different perspective depending on their background.

I am not big on rituals, so I have a personal aversion to the rules and regulation forms of Buddhism. I am susceptible to the intellectual analysis, so I am drawn to the university approaches. However, my own personal path is definitely most in-tune to the yogis of retreat practice. When I read biographies of lineage holders, I find myself most intrigued with the yogis who on the surface lived seemingly average lives or wandered as homeless beggars.

The most important point here is to be aware of your own path and follow that which works for you. Just make sure that who ever you follow is an authentic lineage holder. This is easiest when a teacher has completed studies through the monasteries and universities. Its somewhat more difficult when the teacher is from a retreat/yogic method.

Examining Our Own Faults

I have recently reviewed teachings on 37-Practices of a Bodhisattva and found myself stuck on the Stanza in which Gyalse Togme reminds us to focus our attention on our own faults.

Stanza 31 of the 37-Practices of a Bodhisattva says:

Without making efforts to clearly analyze delusions we have and mistakes we commit,
We still may perform many non-Dharmic deeds even though outwardly practicing the Dharma,
For this reason, examine your mistakes and delusions, the faults we possess,
Then afterwards remove them completely-
Bodhisattvas all practice this way.

It’s a very concise teaching on where to focus our attention. As a practicitioner, I must continually remind myself to direct my attention to my own faults.

I may have the appearance of a Dharma practicitioner even fooling myself. I may remember advice of my teachers. I may recite practices, I may recall the words of teachings, however, if I fail to clearly analyze my delusions, faults, and mistakes; I am really just a false practicitioner.

Khenpo Choga Rinpoche says the essence of the teachings are to watch our thinking. Maintain positive thinking. Simply stated positive thinking can be summarized into the following five positive thinkings: Renunciation, Compassion, Faith, Loving-Kindness, and Wisdom.

The great and auspicious Padmasambhava had said “Though my View is as wide as all the Universe, My actions are as fine as powder [sand].”

Everywhere that I look, the essence of Buddhist practices is right in front of me. Watch our thinking and our minds above everything else. Each moment is a moment to be aware of our thinking, our words, and our actions.

Maybe once we have established some stabilization in our thinking, negative thinking, words, and actions disappear, however, it is not for my concern at this time. I have no stabilization and no realization ….just lots of delusions and mistakes to correct.

During a teaching this weekend from Khenpo Choga Rinpoche, he told us that when faced with others causing problems, we must first decide if we can help without loosing our own positive thinking. If taking action results in negative thinking in us, then it is better to do nothing. Because we can be of no true help if we have negative thinking.

For the last few days, I have been more aware of my thinking. Checking as emotions arise. I am reminded that I am of no help to others if my thinking is not positive and pure. I just continue to go back to checking my own delusions and mistakes.

Many Dharma Blessings,

Geoff

Never Give Up!

I had a wonderful discussion this afternoon. My son, 15, is starting to see how deceitful, dishonest, and cruel the world really is. Its amazing the rationalization that people will go through to justify their self-serving actions.

There are a couple of things that I wanted to him know:

(1) Yes. People throughout the world are dishonest, deceitful, and cruel. In fact, Patrul Rinpoche said Don’t rely on anybody. Don’t trust anybody. However, Don’t stop trying to do what you can to make the world a better place starting with yourself and your immediate community.

(2) You cannot change the world. Yep! No matter what you do, you cannot expect to change even the thinking of one friend no less the world. However, Don’t stop trying to do what you can to make the world a better place starting with yourself and your immediate community.

(3) Give up any hope that your efforts will do any good. At Best, you can help 20%, the 80% is up to them. They have to do the hard work themselves. You cannot stop, really stop, anyone from doing what they want to do. Someone wants to kill themselves, sorry but if they are set on it, they will do it no matter what you do or say. However, Don’t stop trying to do what you can to make the world a better place starting with yourself and your immediate community.

(4) Focus on your actions not the results. You have 100% control of your actions, your words, and your thinking. You have very little influence on the actions, word, and thinking of others. To the extend that the results depend on anyone else, you are not in control of the results. However, Don’t stop trying to do what you can to make the world a better place starting with yourself and your immediate community.

(4) Never give up on doing good. Never. Even at the sake of your life. Never. Never, Give up!

Many Dharma Blessings,

Geoff

Every Moment Many Choices

(The following is dedicated to someone close to me that made a bad choice. Fortunately, the results of his actions are not disastrous. However, I pray that the experience can be an opportunity to awaken even slightly and not the beginning of a pattern which could lead to an unfortunate future.)

At every moment we are constantly making choices. Our choices define the direction of our lives.

Repeated choices can quickly become a habit.

Let us say that sometime in your life, you began to act outrageously in order to gain attention. It might be how you dress, how you talk, what you do.

The outrageous behavior gains you attention. Before long many friends and acquaintances begin defining you based on this outrageous behavior. When the “crazy” plans hatch, you are the one that everyone brings in. When something happens, you are the one that everyone looks to first.

While I can say that you always have the ability to change because you have the ability to make different choices, its hard to believe. The most common response is something like “Well, I can’t help it. That is who I am.”

I am telling you that this is not you!

These are your habits. Your habits are not you!

You can have good habits. You can have bad habits. What you chose to do and what you chose to repeat are what become your habits. Before you know it your habitual patterns are controlling you. Stop before its too late!

Khenpo Choga Rinpoche has said that anything repeated becomes a habit. If you repeatedly get angry, you will soon become regarded as an angry person. If you are continually helpful, you will become a kind and helpful person. Looking back, at one time you were not likely an angry person but over time, one moment after another you became an a person who got angry. Now the habit controls you.

Within Buddhism, we slowly but surely begin to become aware of our thoughts. We begin to watch how we “automatically” react to situations. We first train in becoming aware of the emotions and thoughts as they occur. We train our awareness so that we can avoid reacting based on our habitual patterns.

Later we begin to work on removing the auto-reactions all together. Within Buddhism, even the initial reaction, the seemingly automatic response to a situation whether it be fear, disgust, anger, anxiety, etc. are looked upon as habits as well.

So what are we to do? First start paying attention to your thinking and emotions. Watch your immediate response to a situation. Don’t act on your emotions. Don’t automatically do what comes naturally. It is likely a habit

You want to become aware of your automatic reaction to situations. Then, at the very least, stop before you transition from the emotional response into negative action. Create a break. Stop before you act.

Second, consider the benefit of small changes in your thinking and choices. Take a distant view of your actions. It is like looking through a telescope. At the eye-piece, you might make a fractional alteration of its position. However, what you are now looking at, way out in space, is million of miles away from the previous trajectory.

Small changes in our choices can make big changes in our future.

If you make a bad choice in life. Then take action immediately to correct. Whatever you do, don’t repeat it. Don’t turn a bad choice into a bad habit. It’s a lot easier to modify your behavior before it becomes a habit.

Please take note. Before its too late!

May you be free from suffering. May you find unchangeable happiness and the causes of true happiness. I send my love to you.

Many Dharma Blessings,

Geoff

Neuroscience Conference 2005 Reports on Meditation

November 12-16, 2005, the Society of Neuroscience is holding its annual conference in Washington, DC. Within an estimated 31,000 of its 37,000 members in attendance, this is the place for presentation of cutting edge research findings for neuroscience (http://web.sfn.org/am2005/ )

A part of the conference presentations revolved around studies related to the effects of meditation on the physical and operation of our brain. The Dalai Lama was the keynote speaker for the conference on Saturday, November 12. His Holiness’ keynote was reportedly a standing-room only sell-out.

Prior to the Conference, the Mind and Life Institute had held its own conference in Washington, DC. Entitled Science and Clinical Applications of Meditation” (see http://www.mindandlife.org/ for information on this and other activities sponsored by this organization). I point this out for anyone who might want to uncover even more research on meditation than what was reported at the Neuroscience Conference.

I wanted to share the highlights reported from the Neuroscience Conference because of its importance to substantiating the benefits of meditation on the brain and ultimately the quality of one’s life. (Read the press releases from the conference at http://web.sfn.org/content/AboutSfN1/NewsReleases/index.html )

First, The presentation of the H.H. Dalai Lama. His Holiness discussed why this research is so important. He states that rather than “supporting” meditation, he emphasized ways to improve the quality of life and “to gain insight into the human psyche.” If in fact, contemplative traditions as the Dalai Lama refers to them, can be shown to improve the quality of life, he is very interested in learning how and why.

Second, he drew a comparison between science and Buddhism in it methods of verification. The Dalai Lama states that in Buddhism, there are three primary sources of knowledge – experience, reason, and testimony – with that of experience clearly being on the top of the Buddhist list. He then points out that empirical evidence should always be put above scriptural authority. Similarly science is always seeking empirical evidence to test theories and obtain new findings.

He completed his remarks by reminding them that in today’s world scientist are held in greater respect. He appealed to them to maintain high levels of ethical principles in their research.

I think that part of this was a call to keep doing the research as scientist despite political and society pressure.

The presentations reported by the Society of Neuroscience on meditation are summarized in one of the releases on their web site. I am just going to give a brief recap of the four presentations reported.

Alteration of the Brain Structure: Sara Lazar, PhD, Harvard Medical School, reported on research on western-style meditators. Based on research with 20 meditators and 15 non-meditators, they found increases in the size and thickness of the brain cortex. This portion of the brain is commonly associated with attention and sensory processing functions of the brain. Normally this portion of the brain reduces in size with age, however, meditation seems to not only stop this shrinkage but actually increases the cortex.

Comparison of Meditation and Sleep: Bruce F. O’Hara, PhD, reported on research being done at the University of Kentucky. The primary findings reported in the release shows that while both sleep and meditation have restorative effect on the brain’s functioning, meditation seem to immediately improve performance on a test called the Psychomotor Vigilance Task. They further reported that significant improvement was noted even with subjects that had no previous meditation experience. The improvements applied to everyone.

Effect of Meditation to Aid Complex Mental Processes: Richard Davidson, PhD reported on the findings of his research at the University of Wisconsin on long-term meditation practices. Dr. Davidson’s research is based on long-term meditators, mostly Tibetan monks, with over 10,000 hours of meditation. The researchers measured “gamma band rhythms” which are apparently brain patterns associated with higher mental activity.

The research shows increased abilities to focus and attention after a period of meditation. More importantly, the base line of an individual were higher in the long-term mediators. The research seems to show the changes in the ability of the brain function as the result of long-term meditation.

Meditation and the Ability to Stabilize the Thinking/Mind: Olivia Carter, PhD, of Harvard University reported on their study of 76 Tibetan Buddhist monks with 5-54 years of meditation experience. She presented their research on meditation effects measured through the perceptual rivalry test used to test consciousness and attention. The findings showed that the monks had a significantly greater ability to focus attention (4.1 seconds vs. 2.6 seconds with no suggestions made by the researchers). Second and probably more important, the research showed even greater significance in ability of monks over non-meditators to focus their attention when instructed to do so. While the results to date, do not prove an ability to alleviate depression or stress, they are reportedly consistent with monks’ claims that they can in fact direct their thinking towards “a positive and calm state.” More research will need to be completed before they can make any scientific claims about alleviating depression and stress.

In summary, it is really wonderful what is being reported here. The studies addressed both immediate benefits of meditation as well as long-term benefits of adopting meditation practices. The studies showed benefits for both western “part-time meditation as well increasing benefits of committed monks. The research showed measurable increases in our brain’s performance, long-term changes in the baseline abilities of our brains, and significant changes in the actual size of important brain regions.

There is lot to study here. For us meditation practicitioners, we welcome the research if only to confirm what we already believe to be true – from testimony and personal experience.

Many Dharma Blessings,

Geoff

Purifying our Negative Actions, Words, and Thinking

I am getting better about my actions and even my words. However, I still catch myself with negative thinking all the time. I think that my most common negative thinking is the frustration when things are not going the way I want them to go.

As a Vajrayana Buddhist student, I know that every negative thought (including emotions) carries with it some negative "consequences"...this is what we call karma.

Since I am regularly building up negative karma, it is important that I remember the Purification techniques expounded by Vajrayana meditation masters.

The Four Powers are a means to purify our negative karma.

The first power is the power of Support. We call on the power of the deity or deities to hear our confession. I personally use Vajrasattva, the “buddha” of purification, as the deity along with his consort. I do a short form of practice, which includes visualization, mantra recitation, and dissolution.

The second power is the power of Regret. We are called upon to fully and deeply regret all our negative actions, words, thoughts in this life as well as past lives. It is important to remember that we have lived many many lives and carry the karmic imprints from all these lives.

We must remember that the seeds of karma must be purified otherwise they will manifest at some point in our life - If not this life then in a future life. We definitely carry forward our karmic seeds from past lives in our stream of consciousness. The purification process is meant to purify negative karma before the conditions arise.

The third power is the power of Resolve - to never do again. As my teacher has told me, a promise carries much power. For every moment we keep a promise, we are creating good merit – good karma. If and when we break a promise, we again can purify the negative karma and make another promise.

Yeah I know this sound a little crazy. Its really funny because I use to have a big problem with the idea that we could do really bad things, confess them and then everything would be okay. Yeah right! However, within Buddhism, its not that simple. We must call on powers beyond us, truly regret our actions, and promise never to do again. Finally, we must commit to the fourth power as well.

The fourth power is the power of the Do Good. The most common translation for this is the power of the Antidote, but I prefer to use “Do Good.” What this means to me is to then purify our wrongs with doing what is good and meritous. I think that the best antidote is to do whatever I can at every moment to help all sentient beings be free from suffering and have happiness. And each day I have plenty of things to purify when I fail to everything I can. So I start over and try again for another day.

So, if you are like me, you would be asking, “Well, this all sounds nice but it is really hard to believe that these four powers have the power to purify. It does sound a little ridiculous.”

For me it took some really bad feelings and times before I actually put the four powers into Practice. Did it help? Are there really results?

I want to conclude by suggesting that you give it a try. Put it into practice. Try the practice of Vajrasattva and the four powers into practice for 10 days. When you practice, practice with complete faith and no doubt. See for yourself. If it helps you, then continue. If it does not help you, then stop.

Many Dharma Blessings,

Geoff

Today is the Perfect Day!

“Hoje é o dia Perfeito. Pode acreditar!”
“Today is the perfect day. Be sure!”

I am sitting here listening to “Um Dia Perfeito” by Falamansa. They are young Brasilian Forró band.(there web site is http://www.falamansa.art.br) I cannot help but be uplifted and filled with happiness when I listen to Forró Music.

Forró music has its roots in Northeast Brasil. It is an upbeat, extremely danceable beat with lyrics about love and happiness. Its about being so filled with love that there is no room for anything else.

For me, it’s great form of Buddhist music. It exudes with happiness and love. It encourages spontaneous singing and dancing.

I can easily see hundreds, even thousands, of people singing and dancing in the streets. Their bodies, voices, and minds so filled with love and happiness that there is no room for anger, greed, jealousy, or pride.

So Dance! Sing! Rejoice!

Today is the Perfect Day! Be Sure!

Many Dharma Blessings,

Geoff

Life is a Lot Easier Ever Since I Gave Up!

I found this bumper sticker at a local store. Its on my refrigerator.

It is a little strange because on one hand it sounds very “uncompassionate and unloving” – very un-Buddhist. Yes?

Well it could. But, let me explain what it means to me. I want to start with a little back up on what reminded me about this slogan.

Over the last two days, I became over-whelmed (at least in my mind) with my assumed responsibility to fix a whole bunch of problems. I started to take on everyone’s problems. I started to have expectations that I would be able to fix everything. Before I knew it, I was nervous, anxious, and frustrated.

Then yesterday, I stopped by to see Lama Dawa. He is a wonderful lama from Pharping outside Kathmandu, Nepal. He has lived along side Chatral Rinpoche for many many years. He has spent about 16 years in retreats under the direction of Chatral Rinpoche. He is an amazing person.

All of a sudden everything that I had been loading up on myself just let go. The burden I was taking on to “fix the world” dropped and everything was just wonderful. I remembered “Oh, yeah! Just give it Up!”

I had been typing up the translated “The Heart Treasure of The Enlightened Ones,” over the last few evenings…but I was not really listening to what Patrul Rinpoche was telling me.

Sitting down with Lama Dawa for just a few moments brought everything to my mind. Verse 12 of The Heart Treasure says:

Though you explain, people miss the point or don’t believe you;
Though your motivation is truly altruistic, people think it’s not.
These days, when the crooked see the straight as crooked,
You cannot help anyone – give up any hope of that.

Here is the point. At every moment we aspire to (1) see the all appearances as pure, (2) constantly do whatever we can to help with love and compassion.

But in every situation, we cannot hold any expectation that anything we will do will really help. That is what we must give up on. We must remember to give up on the expectation that we can actually help. All we can do is keep showing up and doing what we can. The result of our activities to help, however, is out of my control.

So when I read “Life is a lot easier ever since I gave up,” I am talking about giving up on any expectations that I can really help. I can just showing up and doing what I can.

No expectations. No worries. No problems. Just opportunities to practice.

Many Dharma Blessings,

Geoff

Patrul Rinpoche's Words of Advice

Here is a portion of Patrul Rinpoche's Poem
Words of Advice to Myself:

Just sleep, eat, piss, shit.
There's nothing else in life that has to be done.

Don't get involved with other things:
They're not the point.

Keep a low profile,
Sleep.

In the triple universe
When you're lower than your company
You should take the low seat.

Should you happen to be the superior one,
Don't get arrogant.

There's no absolute need to have close friends;
You're better off just keeping to yourself.

When you're without any worldly or religious obligations,
Don't keep on longing to acquire some!

If you let go of everything—
Everything, everything—
That's the real point!

Many Dharma Blessings,
Geoff

Remembering the Defects of the Pot

A favorite metaphor of mine is one that is related to what to avoid when one listens (as well as presumably reads) teachings. I have heard this many times from my teachers and have read them in numerous texts.

Know as the Defects of the Pots: The first defect is to listen like a pot turned upside down. The second defect is to listen like a cracked pot. The third defect is to listen like a pot containing poison. The fourth (at least added by my teacher) is to listen like a pot already full.

To listen like a pot turned upside down. If we listen like a pot turned upside down, then nothing goes in the pot. No matter how many teachings we hear no matter how many sacred texts we read, if nothing goes in, then we are wasting our time.

To listen like a cracked pot: If we listen like a cracked pot, then we hear but it does not stay. No matter how much we hear and read, we do not retain the teachings. They will do us no good.

To listen like a pot containing poison: If we listen like a pot containing poison, then the sacred teachings become contaminated. They are poisoned. No matter what we hear, the poison destroys and corrupts the sacred teachings. They will only do us harm.

To listen like a pot already full: If we listen like a pot which is already full, then no matter how much we listen there is no room for the teachings in our mind. No matter how many teachings we attend, if you think that you already know everything, you will never get the teachings.

These are easy to remember and easy for me to visualize. I try to always try to recall them before the start of teachings and before I read sacred teachings and texts.

Just see of your mind as a sacred vessel prepared to receive sacred nectar. Keep it upright, unbroken, uncontaminated, and spaceous.

Many Dharma Blessings,

Geoff