The topic for this module is Lojong (Mind Training).
We will use the book Start Where You Are – A Guide To Compassionate Living by Pema Chödrön, ISBN: 978-1570628399. It is available in paperback and as an e-book.
There are two other books that we can recommend for this module.
The Practice of Lojong – Cultivating Compassion through Training the Mind by Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche, ISBN 978-1590303788.
Training the Mind and Cultivating Loving Compassion by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, ISBN 978-1590300510.
All three of these books follow the root text by Chekawa Yeshe Dorje which has seven main points and 59 “slogans” grouped under the main points. Here is the Lojong root text as it appears in Pema’s book. This same text provides the outline for all the many books on Lojong, although the words may vary in different English translations.
Class 1: Introduction to Lojong
Audio of talk: February 19, 2015 by Michael Levin
Four Reminders
The homework assignment is to contemplate the four reminders. There is a commentary on them in the talk.
Class 2: Absolute Bodhichitta – Part 1 on February 26:
Audio of talk: February 26, 2015 by Michael Levin
Homework assignment: Contemplate slogans 2 and 3.
At start of daily meditation practice, rest in open space as taught in this class.
Class 3: Absolute Bodhichitta – Part 2 on March 5:
Audio of talk: March 5, 2015 by Michael Fagan
Homework assignment: Contemplate slogans 2 and 6.
At start of daily meditation practice, rest in open space as taught in this class.
In postmeditation, be a child of illusion.
Class 4: Tonglen Instruction: March 12
At this class, Emily gave instruction for Tonglen. This talk was not recorded.
This is also slogan 7: Sending and taking should be practiced alternately. These two should ride the breath.
Reading for talk 4 and 5: The relative bodhichitta slogans are 7-10. In Pema Chödrön‘s book, read through page 43. If you are using Trungpa Rinpoche’s book, read through page 70.
Outline for talks 4 and 5.
Class 5: Tonglen Instruction and Relative Bodhichitta Slogans on March 19
Tonglen Instruction was given by Emily during the sitting period.
Audio of talk: March 19, 2015 by Michael Levin
Class 6: Point 3: Transforming of Bad Circumstances into the Path of Enlightenment, Slogans 11-14.
Audio of talk: March 26 by Michael Fagan
Quotations read during the talk.
Discussion of the Four Kayas can be found in Pema Chödrön‘s book, pp 64-69; and in Trungpa Rinpoche’s book, pp 96-102.
Class 7: Point 3: Slogans 15 and 16. Point 4: Showing the Utilization of Practice in One’s Whole Life, Slogans 17 and 18.
Audio of talk: April 2, by Emily Weidman
Class handout.
Class 8: Point 5: Slogans 19-22
Audio of talk: April 9, by Michael Levin
Class 9: Points 6 and 7: Conclusion of Module VI
Audio of talk: April 16, by Emily Weidman