Using illness on the path ~ Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

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

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