Note: This blog is part of a series sharing the teachings of the Atisha's Lojong Root Verses on Training the Mind as shared by Jetsumna Tenzin Palmo in London May 28 & 29, 2016. These are not transcriptions of the lectures, rather a collection of her thoughts sewn together.
1. The Supreme oral instruction is to observe the mind at all times
The mind is the center of our universe, therefore it is useful that we become aware of how she works.
We are generally swept up in the current of the mind. The play is to step out of her river, stand on the bank and begin to observe the thinking process with a subtler layer of ourselves.
This does not imply that we stop thinking. The ability to think is precious. We are not trying to blank out. We are trying to become more conscious about what are we thinking about.
“This quality of knowing is synonymous with waking up.” ~ Jetsumna Tenzin Palmo
As we begin to know how to observe, the mind gains strength and therefore knows how to be clear, aware and present on its own. She begins to know this as a way to take a mini-holiday from herself.
Please do be reminded that while we use the term mind, it includes the heart. As we become more proficient in this practice, the mental effort relaxes, we begin to embody the witnessing and become aware of how the heart is the primary observer.