Slogan One

First, train in the preliminaries.

From the Lojong for the Layperson booklet:

                The preliminaries remind us of the human condition and inspire us to begin and sustain our practice. The first slogan is a foundation for all the rest, and is built on the Four Reflections:

·         The preciousness of human life.

·         The truth of impermanence (change) and the inevitability of death.

·         Thoughts, words and actions have consequences (cause and effect).

·         A repetitive cycle of suffering caused by a constant search for security.

The only adequate response is a practice that will allow us to develop wisdom, compassion and resilience –training to strengthen the mind and heart.

Photo: Nest among a tangle of Confederate jasmine in bloom.

       I recently put together a baby swing for our new grandson. When I pulled all the many pieces and screws out of the box, I had no desire to sort all the parts and read the directions. I just wanted to put the swing together as quickly as possible. That's my natural response - just get it done. But without understanding the directions, I doubt the swing would have worked the way it was designed. I couldn't jump from the first step to the last successfully. In the same way, I need to ground myself in the Four Reflections before I dive into the rest of the slogans. Once I begin to comprehend them and apply them, I can "hatch out" and move on the the next slogan.