The responsibility of being a practitioner - Battlecry of Freedom

“Experienced practitioners understand their great good fortune in having been taught how to control their mind. They fully embrace the responsibility that comes with this: to be in control of the wild horse of the mind at all times. Non-practitioners have not had this good fortune. They have not been given the methods of Mind Training. Recognising this, practitioners expect absolutely nothing of nonpractitioners. They acknowledge that non-practitioners may inadvertently harm them, but take responsibility for that as well. This responsibility is present at all times, whatever the practitioners are experiencing in their life circumstances – good or bad.”

Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8 Part II - the slogans, p. 172

Do not bring out others’ secret state - Battlecry of Freedom

“This slogan is connected to gossip. Indulging in gossip can be a means of feeling more secure through shared opinions. Practitioners of Mind Training take responsibility for their own states of mind, and regard the mindstates of others as none of their business. They know that even if they believe that they have clearly seen to the heart of situations, this does not give them the right to offer that insight to others.”

Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8 Part II - the slogans, p. 167

Slogan 58 - Battlecry of Freedom

Ngakma Nor’dzin and Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin read from ‘Battlecry of Freedom’.

‘Battlecry of Freedom’ by Ngakma Nor’dzin, published by Aro Books worldwide in 2019, explores the Tibetan Buddhist practice of Lojong, Mind Training, as presented by Chekhawa Yeshé Dorje in the 12th century. His Seven Points of Mind Training offer a complete approach to daily practice in 59 slogans.

This video is Slogan 58.

Monday Meditations: 7 - 8:30 pm (UK time) on Zoom Monday evenings.
Zoom Meeting ID: 85249620913
Passcode: 640389
Do join us for silent sitting and yogic song, finishing with a reading from ‘Battlecry of Freedom’. Everyone is welcome.

Slogan 57 - Battlecry of Freedom

Slogan 57 of ‘Battlecry of Freedom’ is now available to view on Aro Ling Cardiff’s YouTube channel: https://youtube/KiB48be8gCc

For live commentary on these slogans of Buddhist Mind Training, join us for Monday Meditations: 7 - 8:30 pm (UK time) on Zoom, Monday evenings.
Zoom Meeting ID: 85249620913
Passcode: 640389
Silent sitting and yogic song, finishing with a slogan from ‘Battlecry of Freedom’.

Everyone is welcome.

Avoid taking anything personally - Battlecry of Freedom

“Holding on to past wrongs, and looking for an opportunity to ensure that wrong-doers get their comeuppance, is an attitude that fixes the mind in the past, and distorts the present moment. Practitioners should avoid this mind-state. The perception of a wrong having been committed is subjective, and it cannot be assumed that the motivation of the perpetrator is accurately understood. It is best to avoid taking anything that happens in life personally, and to let go of the self-protective justification that might lead to waiting in ambush.”

Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8 Part II - the slogans, p. 163

Let go of the past - Battlecry of Freedom

“Each present moment is a new opportunity. Do not let past grievances distort the relationship with whomever or whatever is in the present moment. The past is the past. Leave it there. Awakening—when it arises—will be in the present moment.”

Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8 Part II - the slogans, p. 161

Trust mind and method - Battlecry of Freedom

“Practitioners just need to trust the methods and apply them. If the methods are being applied there will be progress and practitioners can feel content. Ceasing to engage in the neurotic patterning that prevents awakening, is the responsibility of riders. Trusting in the capacity to awaken is the responsibility of riders. Relaxing into awakening is the result. Mind is beginninglessly awakened —it knows how to take the jump—so relax, and let it awaken. Point the mind at awakening. Trust mind and method. Then relax, and awaken.”

Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8, Part II - the slogans, p. 158