My dear friends,

The fifth point of Geshe Chekawa's Mind Training in Seven Points is titled "The Measure of Having Transformed One's Thoughts". This emphasizes the importance of having measures or yardsticks to assess one's progress in mind training. These measures serve several purposes on the spiritual path:

1. Self-Assessment: Yardsticks provide a way to evaluate our progress. Without such benchmarks, it can be challenging to discern whether our practice is effective and transformative.
2. Motivation and Encouragement: Clear measures help to maintain motivation. When we see tangible signs of progress, we are encouraged to continue our efforts with enthusiasm and perseverance.
3. Guidance and Direction: These measures offer practical guidance on what the fruits of mind training should look like. They help us understand the qualities we should be cultivating and the states of mind we should aim to achieve.
4. Correction and Adjustment: By having specific criteria, we can identify areas where we may need to focus more effort or adjust our practice. It allows for continuous improvement and refinement of our spiritual journey.