Advice for Daily Practice

A summary of essential daily meditation practice by Geshe Pema Tsering - 2008

When we wake up we should train ourselves in cultivating thoughts of aspiration to practise the Dharma in order to reach enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings. In this way it becomes a habit and will be the first thought that arises in the morning.  There is no end to the benefits of giving rise to the thought of cherishing the welfare of all other sentient beings. Giving rise to a good motivation makes our work of the day meaningful as well.

The formalities of a daily practice are taking refuge, which gives rise to bodhicitta, along with the seven limb prayer. Other prayers of personal significance may be recited as well. Depending on the time available engagement in spiritual activities such as making offerings, confession, prostrations, reciting mantras and study can follow.

Making offerings: Traditionally seven water bowls are offered on an altar. Other objects, like flowers, food, etc.  can be offered as well. The most important factor is that offerings are made wholeheartedly. It is very beneficial to offer water bowls; water is used in many different ways such as to wash, drink, cook and so on. Water is relatively cheap and plentiful, which prevents us from developing miserliness when we offer.

While making prostrations we should aspire to accomplish the same realizations as the Buddha. With hands together, fingers touching, thumbs inside facing up, representing method and wisdom, place the hands respectively on the crown of the head, forehead, throat and heart. This represents the exalted actions of a Buddha's body, speech and mind. Focus on the wish to benefit sentient beings in the ways that the enlightened ones do. If one cannot physically prostrate, the creation of reverence in the mind is the most important factor.

Suggested mantras to recite are the mantra of Chenrezig (Om Mani Padme Hum), Tara (Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha) or Manjushri (Om Ah Ra Pa Tsa Na Dhih). When we recite the mantras or think of the deities we should not think of attaining such qualities as clairvoyance, power and beauty as this desire arises from our self-cantered mind. Instead we should focus on their bodhisattva qualities, such as their wisdom, great compassion and boundless ability to help and work for sentient beings.

Our motivation is more important than the number of mantras recited. It is good to do 100 or 1000 mantras, but even 1, 2 or 3 is beneficial if done wholeheartedly.

Study, reading and contemplation are very important aspects of a daily practice as well. If we don't have to work, such as on weekends, study as much as time allows. Study and contemplation are the prerequisites for meditation. At this point, as beginners, we cannot achieve single pointed meditation, so we should engage in analytical meditation that flows naturally from studying of Dharma.

It's up to each individual to decide precisely what to include in their daily practice depending on what one is capable of doing, but we should always try to arrest any thoughts that are concerned with the happiness of this life only.

Finally, it is important to take whatever virtues we have created and dedicate them, so that these virtues will be the cause of attaining enlightenment for the sake of benefiting all beings.

Spiritual practice should not be just morning practice. We should try to take refuge throughout the day, making aspirations and dedications, bringing our awareness back and focusing the mind. This is not difficult or time consuming, but a simple and easy thing to do as it takes only a few minutes. It so becomes an integral part of our thinking.