88 Ultimate and Relative Bodhicitta Meditation and the Seventh Point from Seven Point Mind Training

Fall 2013 Shamatha and the Bodhisattva Way of Life

From the seventh point of Atisha's mind training: 'Adopt the three principle causes'

These causes are:
1. Following a qualified mentor
- Alan told the story of the first person to encounter the Buddha.
- Alan taught that we should see through the person and not reify them (or ourselves). Seeing all teachers equally whether it be as a emissary of the Budhha, like a Buddha or as a Buddha.
- If there is one with an inner heart connection, a root guru, see that guru in the centre and other teachers as emanations of that one.

2. Devoting ourselves to all stages of the practice
- Have a panoramic vision of all the teachings but focus primarily where you have traction.

3. Cultivate the outer and inner conditions for fruitful practice.
- One of our greatest freedoms is to choose our environment
- Inner conditions are the 5 faculties that when cultivated and developed become the 5 powers.

Meditation started immediately with no 'front loading'