{"id":419,"date":"2019-12-07T15:10:45","date_gmt":"2019-12-07T05:10:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/?page_id=419"},"modified":"2019-12-10T14:28:21","modified_gmt":"2019-12-10T04:28:21","slug":"further-pondering","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/further-pondering\/","title":{"rendered":"Meditation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The following contemplation, written by a Buddhist author, also has a universal appeal: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, thoroughly assess your karmic situation. Survey the\ncircumstances of this life to discern the karmic patterns established in the\npast, then check your current thoughts and actions as an indication of what\nwill come. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

No sentient being in the six realms prefers suffering to\nhappiness, yet almost all of us create the causes for misery. We act, oblivious\nto karmic consequences, seeking gratification in the moment, then blame our bad\nfortune on negative outer circumstances as if these represented random occurrences\nof fate rather than direct results of our own conduct. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, without equivocation, without hope of evading negative\nresults if non-virtue remains unpurified, bear honest witness to your own\nconduct. Others may praise you for your fine behavior, but only you truly know\nif your actions are tainted with impure motivation or poisonous emotions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sooner or later you must journey through the after-death bardos<\/em>,\nstripped of everything except consciousness and the forces of karma. Why\nsheathe yourself in hypocrisy and rationalizations now when you must stand\nnaked then? Contemplate in this way, then rest the mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When thoughts arise, use them to arouse compassion. Imagine\nthe karmic forces that overtake cruel aggressors when they die, the\nmultiplicity of aggression that rebounds upon them, the aeons of torture in\nhell. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think of those whose comfortable lives are suddenly\noverwhelmed by tragedy, the unexpected consequence of unsuspected karma. Think\nof those whose lives remain comfortable and neutral, who extinguish\npossibilities for future well-being by using up the fruits of past good karma\nand not planting seeds for more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contemplate lives almost devoid of opportunities to act with\nvirtue\u2014hell beings whose torment only infuriates them further, deprived spirits\nwhose insatiable craving obsesses them, animals that are predatory by instinct.\nWhen the power of compassion motivates you to alleviate in any way possible all\nthe sorrow arising from ignorance of karma, relax into uncontrived meditation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When thoughts arise, direct them toward prayer. Pray that\nall beings may refine perfectly the sense of what to accept and what to reject.\nPray that you may cease blaming others and begin purifying your own mind. Pray\nthat through well-disciplined physical activity, well-chosen words, and\nbeneficial intention, you may create the causes for fortunate circumstances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pray that, ultimately, we may all escape this bewildering\ntangle of karma altogether and enter a state of pristine awareness. Then rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, harnessing your thoughts once more, commit yourself to acting in accord with the most refined conduct and meditating until you establish the highest view. Then, again, rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source<\/strong>: Tromge, Jane. Ngondro Commentary: Instructions for the Concise Preliminary Practices of the New Treasure of Dudjom.<\/em> Compiled from the teachings of H.E. Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche. Junction City, CA: Padma Publishing, 1995. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a PDF copy of this contemplation, please click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"When
Reflection: When causes and conditions come together, a result is certain to follow. A harvest will come in time, which cannot be avoided. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\"Facebook\"<\/a>\"twitter\"<\/a>\"reddit\"<\/a>\"pinterest\"<\/a>\"linkedin\"<\/a>\"mail\"<\/a>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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