eB 145 - Friendly Competition

Ego's arrogance ignores anything that doesn't serve "ME". "ME" is, in fact, the sole concern of arrogance, so it will hijack even our spiritual development. Bursting like a sausage stuffed with self-satisfaction, we'll congratulate ourselves for our great achievements of humility and altruism. Arrogance is as clueless as it is shameless in its performance, especially when it's dressed in a spiritual costume, and that's what makes it perhaps the most dangerous of emotional afflictions. Jampal Norbu examines the more subtle forms of arrogance with Lojong verse 37. Do not bring a god down to the level of a demon.

The experience of getting in your own way is what we are referring to in Dharma teachings when we say neurosis. Dharma practice is intended to reduce that neurosis. But take care, because we can convince ourselves that we are shining a light on our inner world, when we are really dragging subtle neurosis along in our shadow. Jampal Norbu examines how Dharma practice exposes the subtle neurosis of ego by considering Lojong verse 36: Do not twist the practice. 

Survival of the fittest, is a well worn cliche deeply seeped into the fibers of our contemporary culture. Our every relationship can be influenced by a sense of competition and comparison if we don't learn to observe ourselves honestly. Jampal Norbu examines the ways Lojong acts as both a reference and a remedy along the bodhisattva path to becoming a genuine friend to ourselves, to the world, and even to opposing sports teams.

We're quick to point a finger at another when anything's wrong. Sometimes the accusation might even be reasonable, but the point is, we have a tendency to blame others. Passing the buck, though, has a gradual weakening effect on our own mind. In the service of integrity and resilience we must reach the point of exclaiming,"The buck stops here." Jampal Norbu considers lawsuits, livestock, scapegoats and onion rings in the examination of Lojong verse 34, Do not transfer the dzo's load onto the ox.

On the surface, many Lojong verses seem like do-this-don't-do-that dictates restricting and prohibiting our freedom. These verses are actually friendly cautions alerting us to subtle attitudes that act against our well being. The integrity of our spiritual path depends upon a willingness to leave counterproductive habits behind in the name of true freedom. Jampal Norbu examines integrity in the context of aspiration bodhicitta through verse 33: Do Not Pounce Upon Vulnerability.

We are full of stories. Our whole relative experience can be seen as such, just stories. Stories are helpful in comprehending experience, but stories also confuse our very perceptions. When our sense of self importance writes the narrative, we typically arrive at stories that are corrosive to positive agency, confidence and contentment. Through Lojong we're encouraged to be aware of who from within is telling the story. Jampal Norbu examines Lojong verse 32: Do Not Wait In Ambush.

There are 59 verses in the root text of Lojong that function as pithy mind training slogans. Each verse is dialed into a specific way that we struggle with our self importance. Through the years on this podcast, we've contemplated the verses one-by-one because each verse is worth considering. Sometimes we take a step back to view the bigger picture of how the spiritual path and the practice of Lojong expands relationships. During a trip to New Zealand, Jampal Norbu reflected on that deep appreciation.

Humans have used debate for millennia because it effectively exposes assumption, bias and misunderstanding. Most debates these days, though, are undertaken not for the sake of clarity and understanding, but for the sake of argument. In the spirit of argument, the main objective is to win, not to learn or clarify. Argument is ego's conquest in its relentless campaign of self validation. In the spirit of debating argument, Jampal Norbu explores Lojong verse 31-Do Not Be Contentious.

Loyalty is a charged concept these days. For some, loyalty is a noble quality. For others, loyalty provokes dismissive disdain, as if it were just another outdated notion. But all of us demonstrate loyalty more often than we might be willing to admit. In this episode, Jampal Norbu reflects on the care and wisdom required to apply loyalty where loyalty is due. This is part 2 of a 2-part examination of Lojong verse 30 - Do not be a loyalist.

Each of Lojong's 59 slogans are composed of carefully selected words that can become powerful and reliable resources on the spiritual path. One's own words. Years ago, when Jampal Norbu worked on a Tibetan to English translation of the Lojong verses he was surprised to learn that Trungpa Rinpoche's well-know translation of Verse 30, "Don't be so predictable," was not quite direct or literal. In this episode, Jampal Norbu begins his two part examination of Lojong's most provocative verse.