Start Where You Are

Train Wholeheartedly
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a p p e n d i x
The Root Text of the Seven Points
of Training the Mind
C h e k a w a Ye s h e D o r j e
Po i n t O n e :
The Preliminaries, Which Are
a Basis for Dharma Practice
I prostrate to the Great Compassionate One.
First, train in the preliminaries.
Point Two: The Main Practice, Which Is
Training in Bodhichitta
Absolute Bodhichitta
Regard all dharmas as dreams.
Examine the nature of unborn awareness.
Self-liberate even the antidote.
Rest in the nature of alaya, the essence.
In postmeditation, be a child of illusion.
Relative Bodhichitta
Sending and taking should be practiced alter-
nately.
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These two should ride the breath.
Three objects, three poisons, and three seeds of
virtue.
In all activities, train with slogans.
Begin the sequence of sending and taking with
yourself.
Po i n t T h r e e :
Transformation of Bad Cir-
cumstances into the Path of Enlightenment
When the world is filled with evil,
Transform all mishaps into the path of bodhi.
Drive all blames into one.
Be grateful to everyone.
Seeing confusion as the four kayas
Is unsurpassable shunyata protection.
Four practices are the best of methods.
Whatever you meet unexpectedly, join with
meditation.
Po i n t Fo u r :
Showing the Utilization of
Practice in One’s Whole Life
Practice the five strengths,
The condensed heart instructions.
The mahayana instruction for ejection of con-
sciousness at death
208
Appendix

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Is the five strengths: how you conduct yourself 
is important.
Po i n t F i v e :
Evaluation of Mind Training
All dharma agrees at one point.
Of the two witnesses, hold the principal one.
Always maintain only a joyful mind.
If you can practice even when distracted, you are
well trained.
Po i n t S i x :
Disciplines of Mind Training
Always abide by the three basic principles.
Change your attitude, but remain natural.
Don’t talk about injured limbs.
Don’t ponder others.
Work with the greatest defilements first.
Abandon any hope of fruition.
Abandon poisonous food.
Don’t be so predictable.
Don’t malign others.
Don’t wait in ambush.
Don’t bring things to a painful point.
Don’t transfer the ox’s load to the cow.
Don’t try to be the fastest.
Don’t act with a twist.
Appendix
209

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210
Appendix
Don’t make gods into demons.
Don’t seek others’ pain as the limbs of your own
happiness.
Po i n t S e v e n :
Guidelines of Mind
Training
All activities should be done with one intention.
Correct all wrongs with one intention.
Two activities: one at the beginning, one at the
end.
Whichever of the two occurs, be patient.
Observe these two, even at the risk of your life.
Train in the three difficulties.
Take on the three principal causes.
Pay heed that the three never wane.
Keep the three inseparable.
Train without bias in all areas. It is crucial always
to do this pervasively and wholeheartedly.
Always meditate on whatever provokes resent-
ment.
Don’t be swayed by external circumstances.
This time, practice the main points.
Don’t misinterpret.
Don’t vacillate.
Train wholeheartedly.

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Liberate yourself by examining and analyzing.
Don’t wallow in self-pity.
Don’t be jealous.
Don’t be frivolous.
Don’t expect applause.
When the five dark ages occur,
This is the way to transform them into the path 
of bodhi.
This is the essence of the amrita of the oral
instructions,
Which were handed down from the tradition of
the sage of Suvarnadvipa.
Having awakened the karma of previous training
And being urged on by intense dedication,
I disregarded misfortune and slander
And received oral instruction on taming ego-
fixation.
Now, even at death, I will have no regrets.