Rest, Volume 1", Translated by Padmakara Translation Group, published by
Shambhala Publications
~
-Thinking about the self as composed of “aggregates” (Skt. skandha) can
+Thinking about the self as composed of "aggregates" (Skt. skandha) can
help us reflect on our personal identity in new ways. Generally, we attribute
characteristics to our personal identity, feeling that it is solid, permanent,
and real. But here, describing the self as being composed of aggregates can
help us see ourselves more accurately. The word skandha can be translated
-literally as “heap.” This definition, when applied to ourselves, can help
+literally as "heap." This definition, when applied to ourselves, can help
us see that we do not have a cohesive, real, and solid self. We are just a
heap of stuff — flesh, blood, veins, nerves, bones, hair, cartilage, and so
on. When we sort through this heap, what are we actually? None of the
-elements of the heap is actually “me.” We are a mere mishmash of material
-conditions that we have identified with and labeled “I.”
+elements of the heap is actually "me." We are a mere mishmash of material
+conditions that we have identified with and labeled "I."
-- Anyen Rinpoche and Allison Choying Zangmo, in "Stop Biting the Tail
You're Chasing: Using Buddhist Mind Training to Free Yourself from Painful
Emotional Patterns" published by Shambhala Publications
-- Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel, from "The Logic of Faith: The Buddhist Approach
to Finding Certainty Beyond Belief and Doubt", published by Shambhala
Publications
+~
+If we are attached to a thought, it becomes an obstacle to the development of
+our meditation or samadhi. The remedies for reducing attachments to thoughts
+are called "pacification" and "taming the mind," which involve what to
+do when we are unwilling to let go of thoughts. Normally we regard thoughts,
+and especially certain thoughts, as either particularly important or
+particularly pleasant and therefore worthwhile or entertaining. However, in
+meditation, thoughts are nothing other than impediments to what we are trying
+to do. So, when we are practicing meditation, we have to maintain the
+attitude, "This is my time to meditate and now I am not trying to think
+thoughts. If I let myself think, I am wasting this time I have to practice."
+ -- Khenchen Thrangu, from "The Mahamudra Lineage Prayer: A Guide to
+ Practice", published by Shambhala Publications
+~
+The arrogant mind never stops searching for identity, and this identity always
+defines itself through attributes: "the beautiful one," "the smart one,"
+"the creative one," "the successful one." Sometimes we take this further by
+creating a more elaborate persona: "the rebel," "the maverick," "the suffering
+artist," "the fearless leader." We can hold onto these labels on a "good" day.
+But when we feel insecure about our attributes, or our lack thereof, we start
+to wonder how to define ourselves; we wonder who it is we really are.
+Regardless of whether we’re having a good day or a low self-esteem day, the
+point is, we haven’t found a way to relax, to be natural, unself-conscious.
+We don’t know how to take our seat in ordinariness and feel comfortable in
+our own skin. We’re always searching for something to be.
+ -- Dzigar Kongtrul, from "Light Comes Through: Buddhist Teachings on
+ Awakening to Our Natural Intelligence", published by Shambhala
+ Publications
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