Portugal

Practicing compassion is the highest method for awakening our mind. Compassion means completely opening our minds and hearts to others. The insights found in The Eight Verses of Thought Transformation are powerful keys for our opening and awakening.

Self-grasping causes separation and suffering. When we think too much about the self, we do not have room for others. Self-grasping closes our hearts and puts our minds to sleep, which causes great suffering for ourselves and others. Self-grasping is the king of negative emotions and this king needs to be eliminated.

The best way to slay self-grasping is with compassion. Compassion is the highest method for awakening our minds. Generating compassion greatly benefits us, for this is what opens us. When we become completely open to all who are suffering, to all sentient beings, we begin to understand the deep interdependence that connects us all. Only through practicing compassion can we begin to realize the true nature of existence.

In this retreat, Tulku Lobsang will explore the practice of compassion using the book The Eight Verses of Thought Transformation. This small book contains massive insights into practical ways we can expand our compassion, open our hearts, and awaken our minds. Its eight verses guide us to train our minds to shift from self-grasping toward love and connection. Then we find that we no longer need to defend this concept of self. Instead, we perceive the other as the greatest gift on the path to our enlightenment.
All beings give us the opportunity to practice compassion, and therefore they are the greatest treasure on our path. We must deeply say “thank you” to all beings for the opportunity to practice compassion, open our hearts, and awaken to our true nature.