Sometimes we may look back over the past year, or even our whole life, and decide that we want to try and put to rest some things in our minds so that we do not continue carrying around a lot of bitterness or acting out old habits and patterns that just do not work. In the process of doing this, we will see a lot of junk in our minds if we are honest with ourselves. Lama Yeshe called this the “garbage mind” because it produces garbage actions that in turn cause suffering. 

We may feel rather shocked when we first realise how distorted our perceptions are, but that shock can be a good thing if it inspires us to do something about our behaviour. Sometimes seeing the garbage in our mind can even deepen our faith in the Three Jewels because we realise that the Buddha understood how the mind works and how to counteract its garbage. On the other hand, we might go, “Oh, woe be me! This is too big of a thing, so I’ll just go to the pub.” We know this kind of attitude will not get us anywhere, so it is important to use our experiences constructively and not let old habitual patterns take over — like low self-esteem, self-criticism, defeatism, or wanting everything quick, cheap, and easy. We must recognise that these habits are rooted in ignorance and are part of the garbage mind to be abandoned.

Instead of following these thoughts like subjects following a dictator, we should stage a rebellion and overthrow the tyranny of self-grasping ignorance that produces all the negative habits that keep us bound to confusion and suffering. If we ever feel surprised at what is in our minds, let us use it to strengthen our refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha and to increase our determination
to turn things around. This is possible because all the afflictions are based on misconceptions that can be eliminated by wisdom. Let us always go forward in our practice with a very optimistic mind. 

“365 Gems of Wisdom” Volume One (January — March) e-book is out now!