Slogan #37

Don't make gods into demons.

As Pema Chodron writes: “Anything could be used to build yourself up and smooth things over and calm things down or to keep everything under control. Good food becomes poisonous and gods become demons when you use them to keep yourself in that room with the doors and windows closed.” This slogan is inviting us to apply Lojong and Tonglen to connect, feel, inquire, and integrate the practices of compassion into our lives. When our actions stem from arrogance, entitlement, and dissatisfaction, we turn the very best into the very worst. Instead, be curious about your experiences, love its challenges, be intrigued by your mistakes, seek new learning, and enjoy effort. Otherwise, Norman Fischer warns us that we will turn our lives into “burning hells!” Bow to moments of hardship with authenticity, vulnerability, and humility both on the cushion and in the world.

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket—safe, dark, motionless, airless—it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable."

C.S. Lewis