My dear friends,

The second Measure of Having Transformed One's Thoughts, in Geshe Chekawa's Mind Training in Seven Points, is:

Similar advice is found in the teachings of the Apostle Paul and the great sage Atisha:

These teachings point to a profound shift in how we perceive and engage with the world. This reversal is fundamentally about turning away from self-centeredness and worldly attachments, and instead orienting our minds toward altruism, spiritual values, and the welfare of others.

In the context of Geshe Chekawa's teachings, this involves reversing our habitual attitudes of self-cherishing and attachment to worldly concerns, and instead cultivating Bodhicitta — the mind of love, compassion, and wisdom that seeks enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.

Atisha's saying that "The best conduct is that which is at odds with the mundane world" emphasizes the importance of adopting behaviors and attitudes that contrast sharply with the common values of society, which often prioritize material success, personal gratification, and egoistic pursuits. Similarly, the Apostle Paul's advice to "Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds" encourages a departure from worldly norms and the adoption of a spiritually renewed mindset.

The Attitude to be Reversed

• Self-Cherishing: The habitual tendency to prioritize one's own needs, desires, and interests over those of others.
• Attachment to Worldly Concerns: The pursuit of material wealth, status, and sensory pleasures as primary goals in life.
• Aversion and Hatred: The inclination to respond to challenges and difficulties with anger, blame, and resentment.
• Ignorance and Delusion: The misunderstanding of the nature of reality, particularly the mistaken belief in the inherent existence of the self and phenomena.

How to Accomplish This Reversal

1. Cultivating Bodhicitta: Develop a sincere wish to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings. This involves practicing loving-kindness, compassion, and empathy.
   • Meditative Practices: Engage in meditations such as loving-kindness (metta) and compassion (karuna), where one systematically generates feelings of warmth and care for oneself and others.
   • Lojong Practices: Engage in mind training techniques such as Tonglen, where one visualizes taking in the suffering of others and sending out happiness and relief.
2. Embracing the Paramitas: Practice the six perfections (paramitas)—generosity, ethical discipline, patience, enthusiastic effort, meditative concentration, and wisdom.
   • Generosity: Give freely without attachment, whether it be material offerings, time, or support.
   • Ethical Discipline: Adhere to moral precepts that promote harmony and reduce harm.
   • Patience: Develop the ability to bear difficulties and respond to harm without anger.
   • Enthusiastic Effort: Cultivate joyous perseverance in spiritual practice.
   • Meditative Concentration: Engage in practices that develop mental focus and tranquility.
   • Wisdom: Study and meditate on the nature of reality, particularly the teachings on emptiness.
3. Contemplation and Reflection: Regularly contemplate the transient nature of life, the suffering inherent in cyclic existence (samsara), and the benefits of liberation and enlightenment.
   • Reflection on Impermanence: Contemplate the impermanence of all phenomena to reduce attachment.
   • Reflection on Suffering: Contemplate the pervasive nature of suffering to generate compassion and renunciation.
4. Engaging in Selfless Service: Actively look for opportunities to help others without seeking personal gain. This can be in everyday interactions or through dedicated service activities.
5. Seeking Spiritual Guidance: Regularly seek advice and teachings from qualified spiritual teachers who embody these reversed attitudes and can provide personalized guidance on the path.

In summary, the attitude to be reversed is one of self-centeredness, attachment, and aversion, and this reversal is accomplished through the cultivation of bodhicitta, the practice of the paramitas, contemplation of key spiritual truths, engaging in selfless service, and seeking guidance from spiritual mentors. This transformation aligns our conduct with higher spiritual principles, setting us at odds with the mundane world and leading us toward true inner peace and enlightenment.