In these times of social polarization and emotional and economic uncertainty, we crave connection with others — to know that we’re in the same boat and that we can help each other. But despite this longing, our selfishness gets in the way and keeps us apart.
To break down the barriers of fear and alienation, we can practice what are called the Seven Causal Directives. Bodhicittathe desire to attain Buddhahood in order to benefit others. This meditation practice helps us understand that we are always connected to others and that we can open our hearts with love, compassion and altruism.
Before carrying out the first of the seven instructions, you must generate equanimity — that is, free yourself as much as possible from attachment to loved ones, antipathy to enemies (people with whom you are uncomfortable), and indifference to strangers.
One way to do this is to understand that people’s roles in life are constantly changing – that no one is a fixed loved one, enemy, or stranger. The second way is that we create these categories and then fit people into them depending on their relationship to “me,” as if that determines their worth.
Once you have cultivated equanimity, you can practice the following seven steps to develop compassion, wisdom, and bodhicitta.
meditation
1. Recognize that all living things were your parents.
Our ability to recognize that all living beings were once our parents in beginningless reincarnation is based on our embracing reincarnation and letting go of the idea that everyone has always existed as they now appear. If these ideas are new to you, set aside any hesitation for the sake of this meditation.
2. Remember the kindness you received
Using the example of your parents in this life, recall the immense kindness you received when all living beings were your parents. They gave you this body, protected you when you could not take care of yourself, fed you, made sure you had an education, taught you manners and how to interact with others, and encouraged your talents. They loved you and took care of you as best they could, taking into account their own problems and limitations. Forgive them for their failures, for they are living beings, just like you, subject to ignorance, attachment and anger.
3. I want to give back
When we realize that we have received great kindness from others, we naturally feel the need to return the kindness.
4. Experience heartwarming love
Your desire to reciprocate the kindness of others leads you to experience heartwarming love: you look upon others with affection and want them to be happy and to be the cause of happiness.
5. Inspire compassion
By contemplating the suffering of all living beings, we hope to develop a sense of compassion and be liberated from all unsatisfactory situations in samsara and their causes. We will know that our loving-kindness meditation has been successful when we can feel the same compassion towards all living beings that a mother feels towards her sick child.
6. Cultivate great determination
By repeated meditation, you strengthen your love and compassion, generating the intention to free others from suffering and its causes and to bring happiness to them. The stronger your awareness of the kindness and misery of others, the easier it is to generate this great resolve. Think to yourself: “How wonderful it would be if all sentient beings were free from suffering and its causes. May they be freed. I will free them. May all sentient beings have happiness and its causes. I will make this happen.”
7. Generate the altruistic intention of bodhicitta
At present, we have limitations and cannot free all living beings from suffering. Only by becoming a Buddha can this deepest aspiration be realized. Therefore, in order to most effectively benefit living beings, resolve to become a Buddha. This is the altruistic intention of bodhicitta. The first six steps of the seven causal instructions are usually considered the cause, and the last altruistic intention is the effect. This intention will put you on the path to realizing the wonderful human potential and being the cause of happiness for all living beings.
