My dear friends,

This passage from Atisha’s “The Best” reminds us that the true sources of refuge — the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha — are not merely external entities but qualities we cultivate within ourselves. The teachings remind us that the best spiritual teacher is not always an external guide, but our own willingness to face and transform our weaknesses. The best instruction is found in the practices that directly address and overcome our shortcomings. And our best spiritual friends are the inner companions of mindfulness and introspective awareness, which keep us on the path. The following reflections explore how these principles guide us toward deeper self-awareness, liberation, and awakening.

Challenging Our Weaknesses: The Best Spiritual Teacher (Buddha)

To challenge our weaknesses means to confront the habits, tendencies, and inclinations within ourselves that lead to suffering, confusion, and separation. These weaknesses may manifest as attachment, anger, ignorance, pride, jealousy, and countless subtle forms of delusion.

When we take refuge in the Buddha, we do not merely venerate a historical figure or external image. Rather, we awaken to the Buddha nature within ourselves — the potential for perfect clarity, compassion, and wisdom. A true teacher helps us to see our own delusions and does not shy away from pointing them out. Similarly, when we challenge our weaknesses, we are turning towards the light of awareness, allowing the deeper truth within us to emerge. In this way, our own willingness to face and transform these weaknesses becomes our inner Buddha, guiding us along the path.

Why is this the best teacher? Because it is only through directly facing and understanding our faults that we can truly transform them. No external teacher can walk this inner journey for us. By continually challenging our own delusions, we activate our own wisdom and compassion, bringing us closer to the essence of Buddhahood.

Striking at Our Own Shortcomings: The Best Instruction (Dharma)

Striking at our own shortcomings means to apply a discerning mind to see where we fall short of our own aspirations and to take action to correct these faults. This is not done out of self-criticism or harsh judgment, but from a place of sincere and compassionate self-awareness. It is about identifying the patterns of mind that cause suffering and actively working to transform them.

Why is this the best instruction? Because the Dharma — the teachings and practices that lead to awakening — is not simply a collection of doctrines to be memorized. It is a path of transformation. And the most direct, effective way to transform is to see clearly where we are stuck, where we cling, and where we stray from the path of love, wisdom, and virtue. When we engage in practices that directly confront our shortcomings, such as meditation on patience when we feel anger, or practices of generosity when we feel greed, we are actively living the Dharma. This is the essence of the higher training in wisdom, which sees the true nature of things by cutting through delusion.

Mindfulness and Introspective Awareness: The Best Spiritual Friends (Sangha)

Mindfulness (Sati) and introspective awareness (Sampajañña) are our best spiritual friends because they keep us close to the path, just as true friends accompany us and support us. Mindfulness is the continuous, gentle, and alert presence of mind, which helps us remain aware of our thoughts, words, and actions. It allows us to see what is happening within us without becoming swept away by it.

Introspective awareness, on the other hand, is the reflective quality that observes how well we are maintaining our mindfulness. It is the friend who gently taps us on the shoulder when we start to lose our way, saying, “Look, you are becoming distracted, or caught up in anger, or pulled by desire.” Together, these two friends help us stay connected to our true purpose and remind us to be vigilant, caring, and wise in each moment.

Why are they our best spiritual friends, our Sangha? Because they are always with us, always ready to support us if we cultivate them. While external friends can help and guide us, there is no companionship as reliable and steadfast as mindfulness and introspective awareness. They keep us from wandering off into distraction or habitual patterns and guide us gently back to our practice. In this way, they embody the qualities of the Sangha, providing support, encouragement, and a safe space to grow.

The Heart of the Practice

These teachings point to a profound truth: the ultimate refuge — the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha — is not something outside of us, but a quality we develop within.

• The Buddha within is the teacher who shows us how to see and confront our own ignorance.
• The Dharma is the method that helps us identify and strike at the root of our delusions.
• The Sangha is the inner support system of mindfulness and introspective awareness that keeps us on track, gently reminding us to return to the path when we stray.

When we take refuge in this internalized form of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, we cultivate self-reliance and inner strength. We learn to challenge our weaknesses not to judge ourselves, but to free ourselves. We strike at our shortcomings not to punish ourselves, but to liberate ourselves from the chains of delusion. And we develop mindfulness and introspective awareness as constant companions who help us walk this path with clarity and love.

Through this, we learn to carry the teachings within our hearts, so that wherever we are, we have the resources to grow, transform, and awaken. This is the essence of the path of a Bodhisattva — to awaken for the benefit of all beings, beginning with the work of transforming ourselves.