My dear friends,

The penultimate precept in Geshe Chekawa's Mind Training in Seven Points may be interpreted in a variety of ways:

At its core, this precept encourages us to develop a mind that is not easily swayed by external circumstances or internal emotional states. The different interpretations all emphasize the importance of maintaining a consistent and steady mind, regardless of the situations one encounters.

• Equanimity: The instruction to "not be as changeable as spring weather" highlights the need for equanimity. Just as spring weather is unpredictable, so too can our moods and emotions fluctuate wildly if left unchecked. The practice here is to cultivate a mind that remains balanced, not swinging from joy to sorrow with every minor event.
• Emotional Stability: "Do not be temperamental" refers to the avoidance of excessive emotional reactions. Being temperamental means reacting strongly and inconsistently to various situations. This precept advises us to keep our emotions in check, fostering a calm and steady disposition.
• Avoiding Drama: "Don't be dramatic" touches on the tendency to exaggerate situations or get caught up in the highs and lows of life. By avoiding drama, one cultivates a mind that sees things clearly, without embellishing or getting overly involved in the emotional storylines we often create.

The Bodhisattva motivation of love and compassion, combined with the wisdom of emptiness and dependent arising, offers a profound foundation for achieving emotional stability. Let’s explore how these two aspects – compassionate motivation and wisdom – work together to stabilize our emotions.

Cultivating Universal Love and Compassion

A Bodhisattva is motivated by the deep desire to alleviate the suffering of all beings. This motivation is rooted in boundless love and compassion, which are directed toward everyone, including oneself. By cultivating these qualities, we can:

• Shift our Focus from Self-Centeredness: When we focus on the welfare of others and develop genuine compassion, our usual self-centered concerns, which often cause emotional turbulence, begin to diminish. This broader perspective helps us not to take things too personally, reducing the intensity of our emotional reactions.
• Generate Inner Strength: Compassion provides an inner strength that allows us to face difficulties with resilience. Knowing that our actions are motivated by the desire to help others, we are less likely to be overwhelmed by our emotions. We can maintain a calm and stable demeanor, even in challenging situations.

Understanding Emptiness and Dependent Arising

The wisdom of emptiness teaches us that all phenomena, including our emotions, lack inherent, independent existence. They arise due to causes and conditions—this is the principle of dependent arising. Understanding this wisdom helps us to see the true nature of our emotions:

• Emotions as Transient and Conditioned: By recognizing that emotions arise due to specific conditions and are not fixed or permanent, we become less attached to them. We understand that feelings of anger, sadness, or joy are temporary and will pass. This insight reduces the grip that emotions have on us, helping us maintain equanimity.
• Reducing Reactivity: When we understand that everything is interdependent and lacks inherent existence, we are less likely to react impulsively. Instead of getting caught up in the moment and responding with strong emotional outbursts, we can pause, reflect on the causes and conditions at play, and respond with wisdom.

Integrating Compassion and Wisdom

When love and compassion are combined with the wisdom of emptiness, a powerful synergy is created:

• Compassion with Detachment: Compassionate action, guided by the wisdom of emptiness, allows us to care deeply for others without becoming emotionally entangled. We can help others with a full heart, yet without being overwhelmed by their suffering. This balance between care and detachment ensures emotional stability.
• Wise Compassionate Response: Understanding the dependent nature of emotions and situations, we are better equipped to respond appropriately to life’s challenges. We can choose our emotional responses skillfully, guided by compassion, and not be ruled by fleeting feelings.

Practical Application

In practice, when we encounter difficult emotions or situations:

• Reflect on Interdependence: Remind yourself that the situation and your emotions are the result of many causes and conditions, none of which have an independent existence. This reflection can diminish the intensity of your emotional response.
• Anchor in Compassion: Shift your focus from how the situation affects you to how you can respond compassionately to others involved. This can transform a reactive emotional state into one of constructive action.
• Practice Mindfulness and Presence: By staying present and mindful, grounded in the understanding of emptiness and the motivation of compassion, you can maintain a steady mind even amidst emotional storms.

Conclusion

The Bodhisattva's path, rooted in the dual practices of compassion and wisdom, offers a profound means to achieve emotional stability. Compassion motivates us to care for others, shifting our focus away from self-centered emotional turmoil, while the wisdom of emptiness helps us see the transient, interdependent nature of emotions, preventing us from being overwhelmed by them. Together, these practices create a balanced, resilient mind capable of maintaining stability in the face of life's challenges.