My dear friends,

The sixth precept under the seventh point in Geshe Chekawa's Mind Training in Seven Points is:

Pabongka Rinpoche, in his Liberation in the Palm of your Hand," identifies the "three hardships" as (1) "identifying delusions (kleshas) [as they arise]," (2) "applying antidotes," and (3) "breaking the continuity of the delusions." Let's explore why these steps are hard and how a follower of the Bodhisattva path can be prepared to undertake them:

1. Identifying Delusions as They Arise
   • Why It's Hard:
     • Subtlety of Delusions: Delusions often arise subtly and can be deeply ingrained habits of thought, making them difficult to recognize.
     • Attachment and Aversion: Our attachment to pleasant experiences and aversion to unpleasant ones can cloud our judgment, preventing clear recognition of delusions.
     • Mental Habituation: Long-standing patterns of deluded thinking become second nature, requiring a high degree of mindfulness and self-awareness to identify.
   • Being Prepared:
     • Mindfulness Practice: Cultivating mindfulness through meditation helps increase awareness of one's thoughts and emotions, making it easier to recognize delusions as they arise.
     • Study and Reflection: Deep understanding of the nature of delusions through study of Buddhist teachings provides the necessary framework to identify them.
     • Spiritual Guidance: Seeking guidance from a qualified teacher can help in identifying and understanding personal delusions.
2. Applying Antidotes
   • Why It's Hard:
     • Immediate Response: Applying antidotes requires a swift and appropriate response, which can be challenging in the heat of the moment.
     • Knowledge of Antidotes: One must have a clear understanding of the specific antidotes to various delusions and how to apply them effectively.
     • Resistance to Change: The ego often resists change, clinging to familiar patterns even if they are harmful.
   • Being Prepared:
     • Regular Practice: Consistent practice in applying antidotes strengthens the ability to respond effectively over time.
     • Study of Antidotes: Learning about the specific antidotes to different delusions, such as patience for anger or loving-kindness for hatred, equips practitioners with the necessary tools.
     • Meditative Rehearsal: Mentally rehearsing scenarios and how to apply antidotes can make it easier to do so in real situations.
3. Breaking the Continuity of the Delusions
   • Why It's Hard:
     • Entrenched Habits: Delusions are often long-standing habits that have developed over many lifetimes, making them difficult to break.
     • Relapse: There is a strong tendency to relapse into old patterns, especially under stress or pressure.
     • Persistence and Diligence: It requires sustained effort and perseverance to continuously break the cycle of delusions.
   • Being Prepared:
     • Long-term Commitment: Understanding that breaking the continuity of delusions is a long-term process encourages patience and persistence.
     • Supportive Community: Being part of a spiritual community provides support, encouragement, and accountability.
     • Cumulative Wisdom and Compassion: Cultivating wisdom and compassion strengthens the resolve and capacity to overcome delusions.

Following the Bodhisattva Path

• Bodhicitta Motivation: Developing a strong motivation to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all beings fuels the perseverance needed to face these hardships.
• Ethical Discipline: Adhering to ethical precepts creates a stable foundation for mindfulness and insight.
• Meditative Concentration: Regular meditation enhances mental clarity and stability, which are essential for recognizing and addressing delusions.
• Wisdom Realizing Emptiness: Developing insight into the nature of reality (emptiness) undermines the very foundation of delusions, aiding in their dissolution.

This precept is consistent with verse 3 of Geshe Langri Tangpa's Eight Verses of Mind Training, which served as the inspiration for Geshe Chekawa's work:

This verse encapsulates the essence of these three steps: constant vigilance, immediate response, and firm resolve. Internalizing this commitment helps us to overcome the delusions that may hinder us on the Bodhisattva path.