REMARKS BY LAMA PADMA KARMA

Try hard as we may, in the beginning it always seems to be an impossible task to establish a consistent daily practice. When we are successful, it only seems to last for a few weeks before we become distracted for a day or so, then a week, then a month. What is this all about? Why is it so hard to develop a practice routine? We try to come to the Center twice weekly, hear the teachings, read books and attend ongoing discussions. Like a sponge we try to absorb and comprehend the foundational ideas of Buddhism, but still, consistent daily practice eludes us. 

For ongoing practitioners, another type of reality surfaces after a year or so once they have adjusted to the physical (coarse) reality of Awareness practice and the base teachings. One’s mind begins to search for additional reasons to be committed to the ongoing effort we call rediscovering our true nature. It is as though our understanding of the teachings has gone into suspended animation, we have flat lined. 

At this point, something else begins to happen, doubt arises, thoughts regarding why we practice begin to surface. Am I making any progress? Maybe I need a new environment? What is the point of all of this anyway? I haven’t found anyone I really connect with at the Center, etc.

Of course there are many reasons why these types of issues arise for practitioners, but for the most part, this ping pong behavior is quite normal, from beginning to full enlightenment, this is the power of Samsara. Developing consistency with anything takes us down a similar path, the difference with studying and practicing the Dharma is that we do not get any brownie points, no one gives us a gold star, something the ego is geared to respond to. Consequently, retraining our ego to recognize a healthy state of body, speech and mind takes time, patience and persistence.

I encourage you all to read biographies of the great masters when you feel down. What you will discover is that they too had road blocks to overcome and at times felt frustrated and overwhelmed. Why did they become stars in the daytime while the rest of us continued to migrate from life to life in the vast ocean of suffering? Are they special, unique, unusual? Yes and no. No, in that they took form within all the six realms just as we have for infinite lifetimes with all the same Karmic tendencies. However, what makes them special is that once their desire to liberate themselves for the benefit of others arose, a day didn’t go by without some form of inquiry or practice to remove their veils of delusion. With each lifetime they became better practitioners, gradually becoming rooted in the true nature of reality.

Given that we have been migrating for infinite lifetimes, if we are able to read this and appreciate what is being said, I guess we are not doing too badly. But rather than resting on our laurels, we now have access to the swift path of Vajrayana, something that is not always available to us with each lifetime. So, at least for me, I feel it is time to pick up the pace a bit. So for this reason, the month of May begins a process of delving deeper into the teachings handed down to us from Buddha Shakyamuni. It has been said, if we engage our intellect fully in dissecting the Dharma, while trying to maintain consistent practice, our veils of delusion must dissolve.

I have encouraged the Apprentices to take responsibility for generating discussion within the context of monthly study groups. They are now prepared to lead discussion on Refuge, Bodhisattva and Ngondro using the texts listed in last months Newsletter (April). Wednesday evening discussions will be centered on how to integrate Awareness Practice into our everyday life. The texts we have chosen, written by some extraordinary Lamas, are very precious. They contain the keys to enlightenment. I hope you take the opportunity to have fun, study diligently and support each other on the path to liberation. This is the traditional way, actively pursuing both Wisdom (insight) and Compassion (skillful means).