In case one wasn’t aware of what I routinely do at the end of each and every meditation session, puja, offering, mantra, or prayer….I dedicate all the merit acquired to the benefit of all sentient beings. Such a practice is wonderful for continuing selflessness – and especially so since we tend to view giving with strings attached. Ultimately, we should give freely without hoping to be paid back or even noticed. Usually the dedication goes like this:
Due to the merits of the these virtuous actions,
May I quickly attain the state of a guru-buddha
And lead all sentient beings, without exception,
Into that enlightened state.
May the supreme jewel bodhichitta
That has not arisen, arise and grow;
And that which has arisen not diminish
But increase more and more.
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Ultimately, we should not even be patting ourselves on the back for being such a noble and kind person. This isn’t about us, because the self does not inherently exist on it’s own side. This is about remembering why we do what we do on the path to enlightenment.
It’s about dancing forever on the bridge between you and me, with my heart open to you.
Hi Thalia… A few years ago I remixxed both the ‘refuge’ kickstart and the dedication roundoff. With the dedication of merit, I start with those for whom I have the *most* personal concern (my kids), then expand it to other children for whom I am spiritual mentor, then to the human dakinis and consorts in my circles, then to those who love and support them, then the next circle – out to the six worlds. When I hit the intermediate state (Bardo) I fire it up, put some spin on it, cause I *know* many of those beings are confused and fragile.
The idea is to imprint the merit with my most passionate concern, then let that passion propagate out to the farthest edge of Beingness. It might seem like this would take as long as the practice itself, but not so much … and believe me when I say it thousandizes the sadhana, and turns your heart into a Koto drum.
Roll it out, darlin’…
Ema Ho!
Leu
Prima Boborina, http://tantra4bobos.blogspot.com