Mind training in adverse circumstances

Cheri has volunteered in many ways, bringing baskets of flowers to hang in the spring, rolling enormous numbers of mantras, bringing up Southern-style cobblers, and working in the gardens among other offerings. She is also the painter of the beautiful rocks in our Book Nook, donations for which are dedicated to support the Buddha Hall.

Cheri has inspired us all with the depth of her thought-training practice as she lives with a long-term chronic illness. She recently sent this message to Venerable Chodron.

At a time when many people are struggling with adverse conditions, we thought Cheri’s commitment might inspire you too.

Dear Venerable Chodron,

Thank you for always helping me keep it real. Time and time again, teaching after teaching.

Sometimes I feel so sick I just want to cry. I want to feel well, be at the Abbey, bringing pies and veggies again!  Fortunately I am very aware of what’s arising in my mind at all times thanks to practice, so I catch myself immediately and remember all the negative karma I created in this life, not to mention lifetimes I can’t even remember, and I’m immediately grateful for the opportunity to burn up nasty karma in comfort.

And it is in comfort. I’m not homeless, or alone, I don’t have little children to take care of,  I don’t have to work to survive. I don’t live in an abusive relationship. I have good healthcare.  I am extremely fortunate.

I have an old school friend who is healthy and has a full active life. And, sadly, has no appetite for Dharma. I wouldn’t swap my life with hers even if I was able to do so. I wouldn’t change my life for a perfectly healthy body even if I could.

Without the teachings you have so generously given over the years, I wouldn’t be where I am, and I am happy with my life because of my practice.

Thought training resources

The thought training teachings are described in short, pithy instructions that emphasize how to bring adversity into the path to awakening. Both Venerable Thubten Chodron and Venerable Sangye Khadro have taught these extensively, most recently in Venerable Chodron’s six-talk series for the Dharmakaya Center in Reno, NV.

Use these resources to develop fortitude and resilience, confront the self-centered thought, and transform life problems to fuel your  bodhicitta motivation and attain awakening.

• Seven Point Mind Training 2024-25 – 8-talk series – Ven. Thubten Chodron
• Seven Point Mind Training 2020 -12 talk series – Ven. Sangye Khadro
• Mind Training Like Rays of the Sun 2008-2010 – 88 teachings series – Ven. Thubten Chodron
• Good Karma, The Wheel of Sharp Weapons – 21 teachings so far – Ven. Thubten Chodron.
  This is the topic of the annual Memorial Day Retreat at Sravasti Abbey