Don’t Be Predictable is about breaking out of your bad habits so you don’t react automatically in the same way all the time. The original lojong slogan is more or less the same: Don’t be so predictable. Some of our habits are helpful, but others can become straightjackets. When you do things the same way,… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t Be Predictable
Don’t Poison Yourself is about not feeding your ego with negative or positive reinforcement, because it will feast on whatever you focus your mind on. The original lojong slogan is: Abandon poisonous food, which means looking at how you nourish yourself, not just in terms of the food you eat, but on every level: physical,… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t Poison Yourself
Abandon Hope is about not being attached to the outcome of whatever you’re doing. You might succeed or fail but focusing on either possibility takes you out of the present moment which is the only time in which you can act. The original lojong slogan is: Abandon any hope of fruition, which means letting go… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Abandon Hope
Work with your biggest problems first is about getting to the heart of whatever holds you back and dealing with that first. Don’t waste time worrying about minor upsets because they’ll heal themselves if you deal with the root of the problem, the thing that never goes away and never seems to get better. The… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Work With Your Biggest Problems First
Don’t ponder others is about not making assumptions about what you think might be going on inside another person’s head. There’s usually more going on than you can perceive or understand. The original lojong slogan is the same and it follows from the previous slogan about not criticising others. You can never know the motivations… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t Ponder Others
Don’t criticise is about not criticising others in order to feel better about yourself. Accept people as they are, warts and all, and remember that you’re not perfect either. The original lojong slogan is: Don’t talk about injured limbs which asks you to notice those moments when you subtly, or not so subtly, judge others… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t Criticize
Don’t be a fake is a reminder not to become egotistical about trying to transcend your ego. Mind training aims to free you from the tyranny of the ego and its fears, but there’s no need to turn that process into another ego trip. The original lojong slogan is: Change your attitude, but remain natural.… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t be a Fake
Come back to basics is about making and keeping a commitment to your mind training and writing practice. It’s about overcoming the tendency to get sidetracked by your ego and developing self-mastery instead. The original lojong slogan is: Always abide by the three basic principles which are: to keep your promises, to not act outrageously,… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Come Back to Basics
Practice when you’re distracted is about remembering to be mindful of whatever is happening and not allowing yourself to get distracted. And when you do get distracted, to use the distractions as part of your practice. The original lojong slogan is: If you can practice even when distracted, you are well trained. When you sit… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Practice When You’re Distracted
Always maintain a joyful mind is about not taking yourself too seriously and remembering that no matter what’s going on, you can have an optimistic approach to life. The original lojong slogan is more or less the same: Always maintain only a joyful mind. On the surface, it seems callous and simplistic to suggest that… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Always Maintain A Joyful Mind
Trust yourself is about how only you can really know what’s right for you and whether you’re doing your best or not. Only you have a direct line to your deepest truth. The original lojong slogan is: Of the two witnesses, hold the principal one. The two witnesses are you and others, but you are… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Trust Yourself
Get over yourself is about not letting your ego hijack whatever you’re doing, whether that’s mind training and meditation, or writing. It helps to get your ego out of the way and remember who you really are. The original lojong slogan is: All dharma agrees at one point, which means that all spiritual practices and… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Get Over Yourself
Jessica Davidson 