My dear friends,

The last two precepts in Point 2 of Geshe Chekawa's Mind Training in Seven Points are:

These precepts emphasize the importance of continuous mindfulness and consistent application of lojong principles in daily life. By doing so, they contribute significantly to the development of Bodhicitta, the mind of love, compassion and wisdom, through the transformation of the "Memory" and "Habit" aspects of the "Mental Formations" skandha shown in the figure above (previously explained here).

Remember this by repeated recollection.

By repeatedly recollecting the lojong teachings, you reinforce the neural pathways associated with these compassionate and wise principles. This repetition helps embed these teachings deeply into your memory, making them more readily accessible in moments of need.

Repeated recollection alters your habitual cognitive patterns, shifting them from self-centered thoughts to those focused on compassion and wisdom. This reprogramming helps override old, unhelpful patterns of thinking and behavior.

Practice every activity by these words.

By applying lojong principles in every activity, you cultivate a habit of compassionate and wise responses. This consistent practice helps to integrate these qualities into your everyday life, making them second nature.

As these principles are applied repeatedly, they form positive habits that contribute to your overall mental and emotional well-being. Over time, these habits become ingrained, leading to spontaneous compassionate and wise actions.

Reprogramming the Operating System

The skandhas, or aggregates, can be likened to the operating system of the human "biocomputer." The "Mental Formations" skandha, which includes memory and habits, plays a crucial role in how we perceive and interact with the world. By following these precepts, you effectively "reprogram" your operating system in the following ways:

• Altering Default Modes: The habitual recollection and practice of lojong principles shift your default modes of thought and behavior from self-centered to altruistic and wise.
• Enhancing Mindfulness: Continuous mindfulness of these teachings ensures that your thoughts, words, and actions align with the principles of Bodhicitta. This alignment fosters a harmonious and compassionate way of life.
• Creating a Compassionate Mindset: Repeated practice and recollection cultivate a compassionate mindset, transforming your interactions and responses to be more empathetic and wise.

Transforming the Karmic Cycle

The laws of karma indicate that your actions, thoughts, and habits affect your future experiences. By reprogramming the memory and habit aspects through lojong practice, you can:

• Break Negative Cycles: Repeated recollection and application of lojong teachings can interrupt and eventually dismantle negative karmic cycles.
• Establish Positive Cycles: By embedding compassionate and wise habits, you generate positive karma, leading to more beneficial future experiences.
• Cultivate Awareness and Wisdom: Enhanced awareness and wisdom from lojong practice help you to recognize and respond skillfully to situations, further supporting positive karmic outcomes.

By adhering to these precepts, you can transform the memory and habit aspects of your mental formations. This transformation reprograms the operating system of your human biocomputer, leading to the development of Bodhicitta and the establishment of positive karmic cycles for the benefit of all beings, accomplishing the lifetime's task of a Bodhisattva.