Coming across a monk praying while circumambulating a holy building, Geshe Tenpa said, “How pleasant to walk around sacred places, but you know, it’s far better to practice the wonderful Dharma.” The monk took his words to heart and began earnestly studying the scriptures.
One day Geshe Tenpa came across him and commented, “How commendable it is to study the scriptures, but you know, it is far better to practice the wonderful Dharma.” The monk took his words to heart and took up intensive meditation.
One day Geshe Tenpa came across him and said, “How blissful to be lost in one-pointed meditation, but you know, it’s far better to practice the wonderful Dharma.” The monk was completely confounded.
In desperation, he begged… “Master, teach me what to do.” Geshe Tenpa smiled and replied, “Just stop grasping at things.“
In our work, our relationships and especially our spiritual practices, we can grasp, demand, and try altogether way too hard. The ‘wonderful dharma’ that Geshe Tenpa describes is an undertaking of it all, with lightness and love. Can we practice it all, undertake it all in this way? This is the true path.
Sent with love,
Jac x