I think we all have some Dharma quotes, or teachings that inspire us to practice, motivate us on our path of liberation. Here is one of my favorites from the 19th century Tibetan yogi Shabkar, definitely tied for first place with another quote from Santideva. This one comes from the excellent book Life of Shabkar . I can’t reproduce all of it here because it is too long but Shabkar’s dialogue between Ego and Wisdom is stunning, amazing, and so much more. The Ego is trying to tell Wisdom why Ego is better.
“(Ego says) These days Dharma practitioners say they want you [Wisdom]. But in their hearts, they all want me…why? Because you don’t bring quick rewards –like food!…You might bring benefit in the next life, but the future is something far away… In this decadent age, It is I who preside over the happiness and suffering of beings in general…These days, in this dark age, my activity prospers…All are my retinue, my servants. Who is greater than me?”
I can read this section over and over again and never tire of it. Shabkar captures how powerful the ego is and how difficult it is to defeat. Ego goes on to explain that with just a little hardship people will abandon their Dharma practice. I look at this as a mirror and when I read it I ask myself where am I? Do I have a little hardship and slow down my practice? Maybe I am a little bit sleepy and think oh tomorrow I will do more practice, or maybe my mind is agitated and I can’t focus on practice. I only need to re-read this section and I realize how powerful our habitual tendencies really are. And that is why we practice, to undo those habitual tendencies.
from Shabkar.org
That is indeed a wonderful quote. The whole argument between Ego and Wisdom is quite — dare I say — illuminating. It is true what you say… that when we experience hardships, our practice is affected and our suffering is perpetuated. In fact, I find that my awareness of my ego makes my suffering more acute and my distaste for it (my ego) greater!
So, I too, am trying to make sure that no matter how awful I feel, I will do some practice because if I don’t, it means I allowed my ego to win out.
And in a related quote…
This morning I was reading my “Reflections on a Mountain Lake — Teachings on Practical Buddhism” book by Ani Tenzin Palmo. (A brilliant human being!)
A question is asked of her about how anger relates to the ego, and here is an excerpt of what she says, “It’s one of the great ego boosters. It makes the ego feel simultaneously great and awful. When anger arises in the mind, we should be conscious of it. If possible, not identify with it. Not think this is “my” anger. Bt just recognize it for what it is, a mental state. Then, if possible, just let it drop. If we see it with great clarity, then in that moment of really seeing it, it will naturally transform.”
That is exactly what happens. It does transform but do not underestimate the ego because as soon as one moment of anger is transformed and neutralized, the ego will step in and create another moment of anger. And it feels like I have to go through several rounds of the process that Ani Tenzin Palmo describes.
Sometimes I am successful and sometimes, I have to change the situation I am in. And if that doesn’t help, I practice and I always feel the transformation occurring as I practice because inevitably, when practicing, I give rise to Bodhicitta, so I am always putting all sentient being before me. Voila! Anger evaporated!
Simple, huh! So, the “moral” of the story is, when in doubt… practice… more!!!
I started reading about Shabkar… Thank you for sharing your inspiration.