Working in the world

• Using our skills and abilities to benefit others
• Taking care oneself to practice the dharma without leaning towards self-mortification or self-indulgence
• Applying the mind training techniques to accept the illness or difficulty we are experiencing
• Differentiating between physical pain and associated mental pain
• Balancing our practice and social engagement
• Having realistic expectations

60 Approaching the Buddhist Path: Working in the World (download)

Contemplation points

Good Health and Dealing with Illness and Injury

1. His Holiness writes: “Everyone desires good health, and for Dharma practitioners, it facilitates our ability to practice. For this reason we should do our best to maintain our health by eating nutritious meals, exercising and sleeping enough… “ How do you take care of yourself in this regard?
2. In mind-training practice, we see our illness as a result of destructive actions. What are some ways to purify those?
3. The Dalai Lama advises: “Sit quietly and observe the difference between the actual physical pain of the illness or injury and the mental suffering caused by fear and anxiety.
4. Bring to mind an actual situation of physical pain such as stomach pain or an experience from the past. Try to differentiate in your imagination what is happening to you physically and whats going on in your mind?