7/7/2026 – Introducing Lojong and Point One
Recap
We had a wonderful kick-off to the new book study this week. In case you missed it, we are now reading Training the Mind: And Cultivating LovingKindness, by Chögyam Trungpa. This book presents the Mahayana mind training (also known as lojong), which was developed by Atisha in the 11th century and practiced widely in Tibetan Buddhism. Contemplation of the slogans helps us to experience a less self-centered, more compassionate outlook and bring meditative insight into daily life.
On Tuesday night, Michael gave an excellent talk to set the up the background for Lojong and introduce the new text. His talk covers the book's foreword, introduction, "Point One” and the first lojong slogan.
You can watch the recording here. Read on for information about the next meeting on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. We will return to the read-along format for a while.
Michael’s talk introducing Lojong [43 min] — Watch high quality video
“First, train in the preliminaries.
Commentary:
The preliminaries are also known as the four reminders. In your daily life, try to:
1. Maintain an awareness of the preciousness of human life.
2. Be aware of the reality that life ends; death comes for everyone.
3. Recall that whatever you do, whether virtuous or not, has a result; what goes around comes around.
4. Contemplate that as long as you are too focused on self-importance and too caught up in thinking about how you are good or bad, you will suffer. Obsessing about getting what you want and avoiding what you don’t want does not result in happiness.”
From the Archives
In 2022, as part of a weekly course studying Chögyam Trungpa's The Profound Treasury of the Ocean of Dharma, Volume 2, John gave a similar lecture introducing Lojong. You can now rewatch that clip here, or go to the original course information for the full video.
Next Week
We are returning to the read-along format and continuing with “Point Two" of the Seven Point Mind Training, which includes slogans 2 through 10. We will continue at the group’s desired pacing, taking turns reading, discussing, and practicing. There is no reading assignment, but it’s encouraged to stay within the same section as the group and continue to work with the week’s learnings throughout the week.
6:45-7:00pm ET - Zoom opens
7:00-7:30pm ET - Evening Meditation
7:35-9:00pm ET - Book Study Group
Or open your zoom app, click Join a Meeting, and enter the following information:
Meeting ID — 954 4344 5887
Password — 108108
This group is freely offered. All are welcome to join.
Still Need the Book?
There are many thoughtful ways to get a copy of Training the Mind: And Cultivating Loving Kindness, by Chögyam Trungpa
Check out a digital copy from your local library
Buy used online from a variety of stores, including here, here, and here
Buy new from your local bookstore or directly from the publisher
