Though you lack what you need and are constantly disparaged, afflicted by dangerous sickness and spirits, without discouragement take on the misdeeds and the pain of all living beings. This is the practice of Bodhisattvas. 

Sometimes we lack physical things we need like food, clothes or shelter, but we also have emotional distress because we are disparaged by others and lack external support. On top of this, we are experiencing health problems due to sickness, injury or harm from spiritual entities. Usually in any of these situations — let alone all three at once — we complain, blame others, get discouraged or depressed, and have a pity party. 

At work is the samsaric, self-centred mind that feels entitled to better and more, or fears we are not good enough for the world to give us anything. Instead of succumbing to this mind, which keeps us immersed in suffering and prevents us from actualising our spiritual aspirations, we can do the taking-andgiving meditation of exchanging our happiness for the pain of all living beings. It is very important that we do this without discouragement, however, the meditation will not work well unless we have realised that the self-centred thought is our enemy. Viewing ourselves as martyrs taking on the suffering of others who do not appreciate us will only lead to more discouragement. 

From a Buddhist perspective, discouragement is a form of laziness because it is the mind indulging in self-centred thought. Once I had an infection in my big toe when I was living at a monastery in France many years ago. We were in the countryside, and I could not get to the doctor until the following morning, so I had to endure the pain all night. I spent the night in the meditation hall doing the taking-and-giving meditation, starting out with sentient beings with pain in their big toes, then spreading out to others. I also tried to view the situation as a way to develop the qualities of the Bodhisattvas I admire so much. I began to see how physical pain was one thing, and how the self-centred way I was dealing with it was causing me much more misery. 

Employing the taking-and-giving meditation can be a very effective method of relaxing and calming our mind in situations of physical or mental suffering. It also increases our compassion and empathy, so we are more inclined to help others we encounter who are suffering. 

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