So while reading Rebel Buddha by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, I had to take a detour. I can't explain why I am struggling through Rebel Buddha but I think about that later. In the meantime, I decided to read Geshe Sonam Rinchen's commentary on 8 Verses for Training the Mind. Geshe Ngawang Phende at Drepung Loseling in Atlanta is currently in the middle of a series of teachings on root text. I love to read Geshe Rinchen's commentaries. I find them very straight forward and accessible for students of all levels. This teaching in particular is a wonderfully simple explanation of Langritangpa's 8 Verses. He expounds on each verse leading us though a practice to develop our love and compassion. As Geshe-la explains:
Greater kindheartedness can transform our daily life and make all our activites meaningful. This is something we can all practice whether or not we have extensive knowledge of philosophy.The value of these 8 verses in incalculable. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama includes them in his daily medititations. Geshe Rinchen tells us in the book to take one verses that appears to be revelant to our current circumstances and ponder it over and over until until we feel its effect. By studying all the verses in this manner and putting them into practice we begin to use every circumstance in our lives a chance to strengthen the Bodhisattva qualities, of insight, kindheartedness, and concern for others and result in greater happiness, peace and contentment on our life.
