Slogan #47

Keep the three inseparable.

A complete practice cultivates harmony in body, speech, and mind. This deliberate practice infuses compassion in every aspect of our lives.

The residual effects of tracking of our sensations in stillness and in movement will be felt in our bodies. These lived experiences of our sensory realities will also be reflected in the depth of our practice. Manifest curiosity, patience, and kindness in the myriad of ways that your body relates to the physical world. Working with your body is a powerful expression of Lojong; open to sensations, somatic patterns, and feedback loops as the language of intimacy. What does recovery mean to you? Maintain an inventory of what your body is communicating to you and others. Can you recognize what’s true? Be accountable to yourself. Exude compassion both internally and externally.

Mindful self-awareness also encompasses the interpersonal in the form of speech. In personal, professional, and community spheres, use contemplative practices as the basis for action, as a way to implement your core beliefs, and as an intervention tool when things go awry. Practicing when speaking is a quality of communication that allows for both slowing down and opening up. Meditation is a resource that teaches us to self-regulate in order to find emotional balance between states of over-arousal and under-arousal. Relating skillfully to others requires creating a state of both participation and witness. This is emotional literacy in action.

Lojong #47 is a template for change that includes an open mind; focusing attention on our mental activity is a precursor to internal attunement. Compassion training is observing our thoughts in order to understand habitual narratives, preferences, and blind spots. Cultivate a mind that is both relaxed and alert. Practice what the Buddha calls an “unremitting” mindfulness to integrate these powerful practices into the fabric of your life.