Changing the View on the Telescope

One of my favorite short examples comes from Khenpo Choga Rinpoche talking about small changes made to our thinking.

Often times, us Westerners want to make ‘overnight’ changes to our whole life when things do not seem to be going right. We quit our jobs, leave our spouse, radically alter our diets, and jump into new spiritual practices looking for immediate change.

Khenpo Choga Rinpoche likes to remind us that small changes have big effects over a long period of time. Khenpo-la likens it to a very small change in the direction of a telescope. When you look out into space, the view turns out to be millions of miles away.

We are reminded that very small changes when maintained make millions of miles change in our destiny and future lives.

Keep up with the daily small changes.

Many Dharma Blessings,

Geoff

Clearing/Cleansing the 9 Dead Winds

As part of the beginning of many meditative Vajrayana Practices and especially first thing in the morning, I have been taught that we should Clear or Cleanse the 9 Dead Winds. This exercised is included in the first part of our practice along with calming the mind, taking refuge in the Three Jewels, and setting our intention. It is the second step of the “Buddha Path Practice.”

I have been taught many different ways to do the clearing/cleansing practice. The differences are really based on the complexity of the procedure and the approaches adopted by certain centers and teachers. All seem to accomplish the same result. Over the years, I have found it enjoyable to learn the different ways noting the subtle differences in each method.

Rather than trying to explain one or more of the actual procedures, I would suggest that you seek the advice of a teacher or the student of Vajrayana Buddhism to show you their method. There are many different ways to do. Here, I just want to focus on what rather than how.

While oftentimes not mentioned by many teachers and texts, it should be noted that the channels are reverse for men and women. Since I am a man, I will explain for male order. Just note that for women the left and right channels are the mirror image and as such are reversed. It should be noted that the reason for this is related to Tantric unions - teachings which are way beyond my level of knowledge and training.

Our bodies and our speech are tools to aid in the training of our mind/thinking. Khenpo Choga Rinpoche says that our body can support and help 25%. Our speech, namely what we say, can support and help 50%. Until we remove all negative thinking and emotions, we use our bodies and our speech to support our mind training. In this preliminary exercise, we are using our bodies to help with cleansing the three poisons (desire, aversion, ignorance).

Each channel (left, right, and central) is cleansed 3 times. The repetition is the opportunity to cleanse three levels of each poison (or negative emotion) with the help of the channels and our bodies. We begin with the most gross level, followed by the more subtle level, and the finally most subtle level.

As I do the Cleansing, I note the following (remember they are reversed for women):

(1) Left Channel (Skt. lalana; Tib. kyangma) is red in color. Lalana is used to purify the negative winds of hate, anger and aversion. The cleansing breath out the left nostril (exit point of the left channel) cleanses the following (from stronger to softer and subtler forms of the emotion):
Hatred - 1st cleansing breath of lalana: cleanse all hatred
Anger - 2nd cleansing breath of lalana, cleanse all anger
Aversion – 3rd cleansing breath of the lalana, cleanse all aversions

(2) Right Channel (Skt. rasana; Tib. roma) is white in color. Rasana channel is used to purify the negative winds of cravings, desire, and attraction. The cleansing breath out the right nostril (exit point of the right channel) cleanses the following:
Cravings – 1st cleansing breath of the Rasana, cleanse all cravings
Desires – 2nd cleansing breath of the Rasana, cleanse all selfish desires
Attractions – 3rd cleansing breath of the Rasana, cleanse all attractions

(3) Central Channel (Skt. awaduti; Tib. uma) is sky blue in color. Awaduti channel is used to purify the negative winds of wrong views, confusion, and ignorance. The cleansing breath travels out a point between ones’ eyebrows but physically travels out both nostrils (at least for us beginners) as follows:
Wrong Views - 1st cleansing breath of the Awaduti, cleanse and clear all wrong views which we hold
Confusion – 2nd cleansing breath of the Awaduti, cleanse all confusion
Ignorance – 3rd cleansing breath of the Awaduti, cleanse all ignorance

Some methods go through a complete set of left, right, central and then repeat two more time (threes sets in all). When you consider that the first cleansing of each channel is to cleanse at the most gross-level of the emotion, I can see the reasoning in this approach as well. The first set cleanses the gross level emotion, the second set cleanses a more subtle level, and the third set cleanses the most subtle level. In every case we are cleansing nine in all and the order can just change.

Upon completion of the Cleansing of the 9-Dead Winds, I enter into a short period of meditation to focus my mind and thinking one-pointedly. It is after focusing my mind and thinking that I can then begin recitation of a practice. Hopefully my mind is free of distractions, I am focused, mindful, and attentive.

Many Dharma Blessings,

Geoff

If In Doubt; ASK!

Question and Answer Time

Maybe I have already mentioned this before. Maybe I have not. However, I just came a brief note in my Dharma Text that said “Remember Question and Answer to Remove Doubts.”

So I figured, this would be a great time to remind myself (and anyone who cared to read) about the importance of Q&A during teachings.

First a little background: I have had many wonderful Vajrayana teachers pass through our home. Many great teachings have blessed us here. Generally, those in attendance are extremely polite. Upon the completion of the teachings, most teachers will open up to questions. Most of the time there is silence!

No one has any questions? Nothing? Everything was perfectly clear? Everyone understand everything? No doubts, no confusion, no uncertainty?

Many of the Tibetan Teachers are not sure what to think of the lack of questions.

Following my teacher Khenpo Choga Rinpoche’s words on the subject, I like to remind those in attendance of the importance and significance of the question and answer period of a teaching.

For me the teaching begins with calming our body, speech and mind. We then follow this with setting our aspiration to listen and learn for the benefit of all sentient beings. We then listen to the Dharma talk. This is followed with an opportunity to ask questions. The teachings conclude with a dedication of merit to all sentient beings. This is the short list of the steps involved in a teaching.

Once the talk is completed, we should reflect on what has been said and determine what questions arise in our thinking.

It is extremely important that we ask any questions that have arisen related to the teachings. The questions can be to seek clarification. They can be to question the accuracy. They can be to express doubt that what has been said is true. This is absolutely the time to raise any and all doubts. This is not considered disrespectful. In fact, if you have sincere doubt, it is respectful to express these doubts so that they can removed.

Based on my experience, when the teachers say that they can eliminate all doubt and remove all confusion to the teachings, they mean it. However, you must ask!! Do not expect the teacher to read your mind and uncover your questions and doubts.

I have never seen a Tibetan teacher get upset or offended as the result of a question about the teachings. (I have seen them scold a student for asking a question that had nothing to do with the teachings or for asking an “academic” question.)

It is clear when someone asks a question if they really seek advice. Further, it also seems obvious when someone asks a question to look or sound important. Trust me, at least with Khenpo Choga Rinpoche, don’t bother to ask these kind of questions. You will not get the response you expected and he will likely turn the question back on you.

Oh! One last thing, if you ever come across a teacher that discourages you from raising doubts, who discourages questioning what has been taught, or belittles someone who asks such questions…..BEWARE! It is likely that you are not in the presence of an authentic teacher. Run as fast and as far away as you can!

So keep asking your question and raising your doubts. Trust me, the teachers can handle it!

Many Dharma Blessings,

Geoff