When listening to (or reading) these teachings, it is important to allow your mind to be open and supple. A great teacher Geshe Potowa went to the discourse of another great scholar, Geshe Chokyi Woser. Potowa benefited immensely from the teaching and said, "I didn't learn anything I had not learned before, but I did gain understandings I had never understood before." This is the the attitude we must also observe when learning these meditations. You may have heard about these realizations many times, but, have you understood them and realized them directly?
The magic of direct realizations is that once you realize them, the feeling never goes away - you never have to spend time doubting or contemplating these topics again because you have realized them directly - it is a permanent stage and it will save you so much time...it may feel slow at the beginning...but in the long run, it will actually speed your progress substantially. If you stick with this, you will reach the ultimate stages in this lifetime; jivanmukti. (Remember Lamrim means Stages on the Path. The final stage will be realizing ultimate reality.)
The first topic: Relying upon a Spiritual Guide
A few years ago, I would have brushed aside such a teaching or rolled my eyes believing this path is really about tapping into our intuition, and letting our intuition guide us to perfection because in our hearts we know what is best for us. I relied on my intuition for years and it was amazing! My intuition led me to focus on this path, to excel in my practice, to release fears and travel to unknown places with unknown people, to live a really wonderful, beautiful life that I am so so grateful for.
But, my intuition can only take me so far. If my goal is to move beyond my body, see past the physical, be as free and unbounded as light itself, truly make a significant difference in people's lives, experience lasting peace and happiness and ultimate truth...then, without doubt, I need a guide.
Remember, every spiritual tradition on this planet shares one teaching: Our Ego will Stop us from progressing on the spiritual path. We must destroy our ego. We have so much to experience, and it is coming in the way. If we knew how to attain these goals ourselves, we would be there now.
We need a teacher. In fact, our teacher is our path. Our teacher is the most important aspect of our path. Our teachers have achieved these goals and so they can get us there and they can get us there fast. Much faster than our intuition. if we rely on our intuition, it will take lifetimes - it will take lifetimes for our intuition to finally submit to the teachings of a higher being. But, if we release our ego now, and are receptive to a teacher (who is probably around us now and just waiting for us to recognize him/her) than we can achieve full Enlightenment/Freedom/Samadhi in this lifetime. Only with the help of a guide.
It took me years to realize this one teaching. I am sure you will realize it faster than me, and I rejoice for you :)
By the way, I am not your teacher :) I am your friend, giving you a humble snapshot of this path. A teacher is someone who you must have a personal relationship with. Someone you see face to face, who you can talk to, sit with, ask questions to. Eventually, you will build such a strong heart connection with your teacher that the physical distance of space and time will not matter. But, in the beginning you need a teacher that is close to you. So, if you have a teacher, thank them, serve them, learn from them, spend time with them, shower them with gifts. This teacher is the one who is going to guide you to clear and pure light. By following the directions of this teacher, you will attain the highest goals and will also be able to help others achieve the highest states. This teacher will get to know you so well, not only will they guide you, they will guide you perfectly and swiftly. And, if you don't have a teacher, close your eyes and ask for them to grace your life- like in the preliminaries. We will get into this topic of finding and serving a teacher in more detail in a moment.
Each of the 21 meditations in the Lamrim has five parts: Preliminaries, Contemplation, Meditation, Dedication and Subsequent Practice.
The purpose of contemplation is to bring to mind the object we will eventually meditate on. Contemplation includes reasoning, contemplating analogies, reflecting on scriptures, debating a given point from all angles. Remember, we never accept things on this path until we feel them directly. For example, I am not writing all of these things about a teacher so that you go on and accept that you need a teacher because of my words. No, no! You must - yourself - come to the conclusion that you need a teacher to rely upon. So, in the contemplation, you will debate this point in your own mind until it becomes clear to you. Only then, will the single-pointed meditation begin. And, of course, if and when you have a teacher, you can supplement your daily meditations with debates on all of the meditation topics with your teacher and/or with your spiritual friends or sangha.
Today's Contemplation: See page 31 of "A Meditation Handbook" (on your reading list)
We think -- If I rely sincerely upon a Spiritual Guide, he or she will lead me along the spiritual path, which is the only way I can solve all my problems and make my life meaningful. I shall gradually draw closer to the the attainments of full freedom and truth. All beings will be delighted with me. I shall be protected from harm. I shall find it easy to abandon delusions and harmful actions. My practical experience of the spiritual path will increase. I shall never be born in lower hell realms. In all my future lives, I will meet well qualified Spiritual Guides. All my virtuous wishes for beneficial conditions in this world as well as for liberation beyond this world, will be fulfilled.
Contemplate these benefits until you generate a determination to rely upon a Spiritual Guide sincerely and with faith. The object of your meditation is this determination. You must contemplate the above points - debate them from every angel in your mind (and on this blog, feel free to debate by leaving comments) - debate, analyze, contemplate, reflect, until you have an experience of clarity on this topic. Once you experience that shift in your mind - from debate to solid clarity - you meditate on the determination to rely upon a spiritual guide for as long as possible.
With practice, shifts will occur in your mind. From contemplation to clarity to holding the clarity (meditation)- to contrived realizations to uncontrived realizations. When the shift in your mind truly happens, you will know it. It is a strong experience.
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So far we have gone over Preliminaries, Contemplation and Meditation.
The fourth part of the session is Dedication. Dedicate all the merit you have cultivated by engaging in the preliminaries, contemplation and meditation to protect that virtue so that it will not be destroyed by a mental affliction like anger or jealousy once you leave your meditation cushion. Dedicate the merit to really bring you closer to Truth. You can think, "May I realize these instructions so that I may experience ultimate freedom and bliss quickly and lead others there quickly as well."
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Congratulations! The first day of meditation is the hardest! So much instruction...but, it will just start to get more natural and effortless.
Thank you for your patience and practice!
If you don't have a stop watch, please invest in a stop watch that gives you the option of setting two times - Set one for 35 minutes and one for 10 minutes. Allow 10 minutes for the preliminaries, 25 minutes for contemplation and meditation, and then after the second timer goes off, take a minute or two to dedicate.
Once you leave your cushion today, when you have some breaks in your day, think about your teacher. If you have one, think of their positive qualities and in your heart thank them for their presence in your life. Feel inspired to listen to them and follow their advise and instructions. If you don't have a teacher, be encouraged by the determination made in your meditation to find one. In the next session, we will go into more depth on how to find and serve and learn from a qualified teacher.
Namaste,
Reema
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