(142 MB)
How do we cultivate self-love (and love for others) when thoughts and feelings go up and down unpredictably? In this teaching, we look at the difference between thought-based love and transcendent love, the kind of love that doesn’t fluctuate with adversity.
The Problem with Conceptual Love
Thought-based love relies on conceptualization of self and other. It clenches with hope and fear. It pushes and pulls uncomfortably. As Lama Lena says, “if you base self-love on what you think of yourself, you’re in for a rollercoaster ride!” It goes up and down. But the real you is infinite in time and space. In this space, real love is consistent, but you have to go past the thinking and the thinker, into this vast open space to actually love.
So what’s the problem? Over-thinking is the cornerstone of the human mind. Words and thoughts are useful, but usually we can’t make it shut up! When our minds get tangled in the threads of reasoning, cutting through to this ultimate space can be difficult. This is where the practice of tantra comes in.
Tantra
We use Tantra to get out of the box we’ve thought ourselves into. Since it’s a box made of conceptual thought, we can’t think our way out of it; we need to transcend thought. As Lama Lena says, “you can’t cut cloth with cloth. You need scissors.” Tantra is the language of symbols. While thoughts and words are limited, symbols are not. You don’t have to rationally understand symbols for them to have an effect on you. Tantra bypasses thought processes to create transformation at deeper, more subconscious levels.
1000-Armed Chenrezig
The key to un-wavering love for self and others is the cultivation of “nying gi” or “open-hearted great-heartedness”. This is not romantic love or compassion. Instead, Lama Lena likens it to the feeling we get when we hold a kitten or look into the calm, loving eyes of a baby… times a billion! In Tibetan Buddhism, the archetypal embodiment of this feeling is 1000-Armed Chenrezig (aka Avalokiteshvara).
Lama Lena gives instructions on the visualization and mantra of 1000-Armed Chenrezig, a vivid and personal practice we can take into our daily lives. Through this timeless practice, we can move beyond the “sticky” love that goes up and down painfully, moment to moment. We get a taste of transcendent love for ourselves and all other beings.
This public talk was given at The Temple of Kriya Yoga, in Chicago, on June 25, 2018. Thanks to Vova Kuperman at Preserving Authenticity for the audio recordings!
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