Summary: A student discusses their practice with Lama Shenpen with particular focus on the problem of attachments.
A student writes:
I am in a committed practice but it seems that every time I've 'moved ahead' petty suffering returns to compensate as if to say, 'Not so fast. Two steps forward, one step back.'"
Lama Shenpen:
Yes it’s important to relax into the process and not think that we have gone anywhere. We are always at the same place and the same things happen, its the way we look at them that changes - our perspective on them changes.
Student:
I begin to obsess again, ascribe false significance or meaning to trivial events, fear the loss of treasured things including relationships, wake up with horrible feelings of guilt, etc.
Nothing I can't handle. Been there, done that. But is this par for a practice? It does seem to be cyclical. 'It's back!' is my reaction."
Lama Shenpen:
Yes – it’s always the same old patterns, which I suppose is good really. When we have cracked the old patterns then that will be it. We don’t want new patterns to have to crack do we?
Student:
It also does seem that attachments are the fly in the ointment."
Lama Shenpen:
Well - the habit to attach to attachments is the problem! The things we are attached to are not the problem - does that make sense?
Student:
Do attachments still rear their ugly head in your practice? And, if so, what do you do about them?"
Lama Shenpen:
That is what my practice consists of all the time - habitual patterns of attachment to things as real, to ways of thinking that I know are misguided. So the practice is to notice that and wake up - that is what practice is. When there is no more attachment I wont need practice - I will be Enlightened!
Student:
In spite of, or perhaps because of, these ups and downs, I am still enjoying the journey down this path"
Lama Shenpen:
I am too!
--- By Lama Shenpen Hookham
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