of the path.
-- Ngak'chang Rinpoche, quoted in "Dangerous Friend: The Teacher-Student
Relationship in Vajrayana Buddhism", Shambhala Publications
+~
+ When clouds cover the sky, we cannot see the pure nature of space.
+Likewise, when conceptual thoughts occupy the mind, we cannot see the pure
+nature of the mind. To see whether this is true, we can meditate so that the
+mind becomes relaxed and peaceful, and then there is room to develop
+compassion, love, and bodhicitta. But when our mind is occupied by conceptual
+thoughts and negative thoughts, there is no space to develop good qualities.
+Our mind becomes full of suffering and we cannot disentangle ourselves from
+confusion.
+ When our mind emphasizes positive, calming, and relaxing thoughts, it leaves
+no space for negative thoughts to arise. Then we can maintain a peaceful,
+harmonious mind regardless of external conditions. This becomes a matter of
+how much we habituate ourselves to the Dharma teachings.
+ -- from "Opening the Treasure of the Profound: Teachings on the Songs of
+ Jigten Sumgön and Milarepa", by Khenchen Konchog Gyaltshen Rinpoche,
+ Shambhala Publications and Snow Lion Publications.