There is no certainty that we will not fall victim to disease, evil forces and so on. If we are afflicted by serious illness, we should think, “There are countless beings in this world suffering in the same way as I.” In this way we should generate strong feelings of compassion. If, for example, we are struck by heart disease, we should think, “Wherever space pervades, there are beings suffering like this,” and imagine that all their illnesses are concentrated in our own hearts.

If we are struck by evil forces, we should think, “By making me suffer, these evil beings are helping me to practise Bodhichitta; they are of great importance for my progress on the path, and rather than being expelled, they should be thanked.” We should be as grateful to them as we are towards our Teachers.

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

from the book Enlightened Courage: An Explanation of the Seven-Point Mind Training

Read a random quote or see all quotes by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.

Further quotes from the book Enlightened Courage:

• Honest examination
• The degree of self-clinging
• Morning pledge
• The impurity of our perception
• Antidote to our ego-clinging
• Taking advantage of suffering
• All Dharma has a single goal
• Always be sustained by cheerfulness
• Signs of realization
• Failing to use the instructions as an antidote
• Anger is an illusion
• The three essential factors on which the accomplishment of the Dharma depends
• The vows of the Mind Training
• Well rewarded
• Begin the training sequence with yourself
• Bodhicitta practice
• Give up hoping for results
• Delusion
• Forsaking all self-centeredness