​7. The Supreme Accomplishment is a continuous decrease of disturbing emotions.

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.

7. The Supreme Accomplishment is a continuous decrease of disturbing emotions.

Jetsumna reminded us that when Atisha arrived in Tibet, the accumulation of siddhis (accomplishments) had become the main sport of the spiritual practices.  Atisha undercuts this as spiritual and psychic powers are not a true mark of spiritual advancement. 

Essentially, the question is, “Is my practice working?” Am I less angry, jealous, and greedy? The question when a practitioner returns from retreat is not, “What kind of phenomenon did you experience?” It is, “Have your difficult emotions decreased, stayed the same or increased?”

The dissolution of the disturbing emotions is a sign that the grip of our self identification (or ego) has loosened.  This is the sign of success and that we are on the right track.

Read the eighth root verse and notes from the teachings.