Meditation: Generating Bodhicitta (Awakened Heart) [AUDIO]

In this meditation we contemplate Bodhicitta. Literally, this means 'Awakened Heart-Mind', which is the state of wishing to be enlightened not for our own personal gain, but for the love of all beings.

When we meditate we are encouraged to approach our practice using the 'Three Excellences' - firstly by starting with an attitude of Bodhicitta, then while practicing we should have no attachment to results, and finally when we have finished our practice we offer any achievement ('merit') for the benefit of others.

The concept of Bodhicitta was most famously taught by the 8th Century monk Shantideva. He was an interesting and colorful character, as you can read here. Here are some of his words on Bodhicitta:

"Whatever joy there is in this world
All comes from desiring others to be happy,
And whatever suffering there is in this world,
All comes from desiring myself to be happy.
But what need is there to say much more?
The childish work for their own benefit,
The Buddhas work for the benefit of others.
Just look at the difference between them!"

There are traditional ways of generating Bodhicitta that are beyond the scope of a short 30-Minute introductory meditation. However we can still start to align our hearts towards the benefit of others by meditating on the simple 'Bodhicitta Prayer':

May the supreme jewel bodhicitta
that has not arisen arise and grow,
and may that which has arisen not diminish,
but increase more and more.

The full audio, including a 30 minute guided meditation is below.



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