We watched as an eager young television reporter from CNN asked the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, the Dalai Lama, what his first thought was upon awaking in the morning. We thought that this revered teacher and probably the world's most well known meditator would say something deeply profound or insightful, something along the lines of vowing to save the world from its own ignorance, or what he would do to save the Tibetan people from the Chinese occupation. Instead, he simply replied, "Shaping motivation."
He added that he needs to stay vigilant so that his intentions are focused in a positive direction, and how shaping his motivation on a daily basis constantly reminds him to extend loving kindness and compassion to all others, including the Chinese. We were somewhat surprised that even the Dalai Lama, one of the kindest people we have ever met, actually needs to be reminded to extend loving kindness and compassion to others!
Those interesting two words -- shaping motivation -- immediately resonated, as they apply both to our personal actions and communication as much as to our more lofty intentions. Motivation guides our behavior and determines whether our intent is arising out of selfishness or selflessness.
Obviously, there are those whose incentives for their behavior are greed, hatred, power, or anger.
In order to determine what is driving our own hidden agendas, we can ask: Are we motivated by kindness, forgiveness or generosity, or by judgment, blame or grasping? Are we making someone else seem wrong in order for us to appear right? Are we ignoring or dismissing someone, or are we genuinely concerned?
"By and large, the mind always looks out critically and deals with external events, but rarely bothers about itself. Therefore, we have to give it new instructions. Up to now, you have dealt with what's going on outside; that's well and good, but now the time has come to explore within," writes the Dalai Lama in the foreword to our book, "Be the Change." "In doing so, we also have to make an effort to restrain the way our thoughts follow memories of the past and speculations about the future. We need to find the space between such thoughts, which, like the water deep in the ocean, remains clear and undisturbed even though there may be waves on the surface."
As we sat with him at his residence in Dharamsala, India, the Dalai Lama held our hands tightly and made us feel as if we were his dearest friends. He shared how he manifests his motivation, such as through talking with and listening to people from all different cultures and religions. This is his way of breaking down barriers and differences, as he sees all people as connected and equally important.
We had experienced this ourselves when we were on the veranda of his residence, waiting to meet with him. It overlooked the vast Himalayan mountain range, glorious in the early-morning sun. As the Dalai Lama came to greet us we immediately began to prostrate, as this is the traditional way of greeting a high Lama. But he made us both stand, saying, "No, no, we are all equal here." And he sincerely meant it: we are all one and the same, any differences are really only superficial. At that moment Ed realized that all people, no matter if they are the Head of State or a beggar on the street, are equal. We are all human beings and all deserving of love.
How do you transform your negative mind? Please comment below.
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See our award-winning book, "Be the Change: How Meditation Can Transform You and the World," with forewords by the Dalai Lama and Robert Thurman, with contributors Jack Kornfield, Gangaji, Jane Fonda, Ram Dass, Byron Katie, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Marianne Williamson and others.
Our three meditation CDs -- "Metta: Loving-Kindness and Forgiveness," "Samadhi: Breath Awareness and Insight" and "Yoga Nidra: Inner Conscious Relaxation" -- are available at www.EdandDebShapiro.com.
Follow Ed and Deb Shapiro on Twitter: www.twitter.com/edanddebshapiro
Dan Goleman: Want a Happier Brain? Try Mindfulness
FANNED 8 FAV'D
do feel you are in the right direction! :-))
Arrogance: A word with many meanings
The word arrogance is a word that is misunderstood. In the 16th century the original word arrogant was derived from the Latin word, arrogare. Meaning:'Claiming for oneself'
What if we claimed the knowledge we passionate knew for oneself for the purpose of sharing and teaching it without worrying what others thought even if others think of us as arrogant? Is that still considered arrogant? More@ http://aurbanmystic.blogspot.com/
This is great - you said it well:
"Arrogance: A word with many meanings
The word arrogance is a word that is misunderstood. In the 16th century the original word arrogant was derived from the Latin word, arrogare. Meaning:'Claiming for oneself' http://aurbanmystic.blogspot.com/
You are a favorite & fanned-
I like what you say here:
"When negative emotions begin to well up within me, I use meditation to aid in discovering the cause and the solution."
That's what I think, in a nutshell, is helping me shape motivation.
Oh yes - and it's much easier to be positive when one has had a good night's sleep (having my beautiful son has taught me the value of sleep), so goodnight and sweet dreams to all!
lovely comment- well put!
I recommend that viewers read this!
Blessings -
In Bhutan the GNP (Gross National Product) is HAPPINESS*
In reading this article, I finally 'understand' this imperative!
The ones who are most angry, hurtful, mean, abusive are the ones who themselves are hurting or who have been hurt before.
Extending a kind word to those who least expect it, is transformational and healing.
Finally understanding this 'shapes my motivation' from a cognitive one, to a more spiritual and self-less one.
Thanks for another enlightening writing.
It's people like you that make blogging meaningful - you say:
Jesus said "love your enemies".
In reading this article, I finally 'understand' this imperative!
The ones who are most angry, hurtful, mean, abusive are the ones who themselves are hurting or who have been hurt before.
Extending a kind word to those who least expect it, is transformational and healing.
Finally understanding this 'shapes my motivation' from a cognitive one, to a more spiritual and self-less one.
Blessings of Love & Light through Sound,
Jonathan
I love what you say here:
"First and foremost by generating loving kindness and compassion to myself and then to all sentient beings."
dissolve negativity in the mind. As the sound is absorbed it relaxes and releases all thoughts and puts you into a peaceful state of mind!
Great reminder of checking in with ourselves on a regular basis...I was taken with the Dalai Lama saying " he needs to stay vigilant so that his intentions are focused in a positive direction".
Wow! If even the Dalai Lama has to stay vigilant...what a beautiful life lesson this is for me! It makes me want to be even more vigilant...thank you!
LOVE YOU,
AndiG
You are cool & Fav'd
Mindfulness is cheerfulness!
This is part of what is so good in these creative teaching stories. The story is grown from the seeds strewn by the master -in this case HHDL.
"Shaping motivation" is almost a type of bij mantra that creates a fruit -
fruit which people can then pluck and apply -according to their merits.
By focusing on the love and kindness of good intentions we really can avoid the monkey minded chasing of two rabbits at once and remain one pointed in our positive reality instead of diverging into a less convenient reality.
I really have to salute Ed and Deb for their prolific work to spread the Dhrama. And now days especially...
This is a bit of a confession.. lately when ever I feel my mindfulness is sagging and I need a cheer-up moment.....I just think of Ed doing the jitterbug!!
Always brings a big smile!!
-RW
who do you think/see dancing?
Ed then or Ed now?
I certainly can still dance!!!
But not like I did when i was 19 mate! :-))
www.happierthanabillionaire.com
Nothingwrong with possessions BUT
If possessions have you it causes suffering!
If you have possessions no suffering!
may all beings be happy!
What a wonderful discussion going on here! Your article and responses to comments offers great healing. I want to linger here awhile and absorb all this positive energy and goodness.
Bless you!
Judith
It has been a blessing sharing with others
Thanks for noticing!
I feel the same as you! much honesty being shared!
Ommmm
FANNED & FAV'D
BUT
the clarity comes naturally
all that is necessary is to be aware
being aware of whatever is happening whether it is peasant or unpleasant - whether things are chaotic, confusing awareness of whatever and no judgement
when you go to bed at night you prepare the bed and make it comfortable but the sleep comes by itself.
when you are aware then clarity comes naturally -
just breathe & enjoy this precious gift of life!
You can't miss!
But they are coming from ignorance - the ignorance of our interconnectedness - & that is what you can forgive the ignorance is their obstacle-
you don't condone their actions- BUT by hating and feeling all sorts of negative thoughts and feelings it is you who is suffering - - feel bad etc.
they are self-centered - ego-manics - they only think of themselves and pretend they care about others. So do know your feelings are justified but move on-
see that their karma will run over their dogma - they will not get away with anything for sure!
Breathe and let go and wish well to all people
May all beings be happy!
Treasure yourself, Ed
well said!
For me, negativity can be addressed through the stories we tell about ourselves.
"Life stories do not only describe our lives, they define them. These stories do far more than re-tell what happened to us, they also set the stage for what will happen to us."
See my recent post here on Huffpo http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steven-crandell/defining-yourself-whats-y_b_777718.html and consider re-examing one of the most important parts of who you are -- your own personal narrative.
Beautifully said!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steven-crandell/defining-yourself-whats-y_b_777718.html
I chanted for many years - I love the sound of :
'Nam Myoho Renge Kyo'
it resonates with my whole being!
Thank you!
Other concept I like is poison into medicine. Channel that anger into the right direction. Grass root activism. Non violent civil disobedience. Hatred for injustice is a righteous hatred but you have to turn into a fight for justice. Killing a Tea Party person leaves you defiled in the three poisons of anger greed and foolishness as they are. Practice into action is also transforming the negative mind. Don't beat yourself up because you have natural and human emotions. What makes you a Buddha is how you turn them into something beneficial to yourself and society on a whole.
Lastly, keep in there and never give up. You are the Buddha now let that buddhanature shine!