You might remain in a solitary place, physically isolated from the world,
Yet fail to let go of ordinary concerns, and, with attachment and aversion,
Seek to bring defeat upon your enemies while furthering the interests of your friends,
And involve yourself in all kinds of projects and financial dealings —
But there could hardly be anything worse than that at all.If you lack the wealth of contentment in your mind,
You’ll think you need all kinds of useless things,
And end up even worse than just an ordinary person,
Because you won’t manage even a single session of practice.
So set your mind on freedom from the need for anything at all.Wealth, success and status are all simply ways of attracting enemies and demons.
Pleasure-seeking practitioners who fail to turn their minds from this life’s concerns
Sever their connection to the authentic Dharma.
So take care to avoid becoming stubbornly immune to the teachings.
Chatral Rinpoche
from the book Compassionate Action
translated by Adam Pearcey
source: http://www.lotsawahouse.org/tibetan-masters/chatral-rinpoche/words-advice
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Further quotes from the book Compassionate Action:
- A disciplined mind
- Your own true enemies
- Gaining the riches of a Dharma practitioner
- Taking advantage of our human existence
- Relying on the instructions of your own qualified teacher
- Use it well
- Not enjoying meat or alcohol
- The best form of austerity
- View and conduct
- But when you die
- There is nothing more to it than that
- All you need
- No real happiness
- Act accordingly
- By then it’s too late!
- Three kinds of dharma practitioners
- The path of nonviolence
- Our responsibility