At present, if you have any physical illness or mental disturbance, or are in an undesirable situation, you panic and are totally upset and paranoid about everything, like someone overcome by nausea. So how will it be when you experience the sufferings of the three lower realms? Alas!

Now the only means of escape from these sufferings is to accomplish the ultimate goal of the supreme dharma; otherwise, there is no way out.

You can hardly bear light pain, such as the prick of a thorn or a mild burn from a spark. If something goes against your desires, if you lose money or find yourself in an unpleasant situation, you get upset. You suspect that everyone wants to harm you, and you become so obsessed with your problems that you even lose your appetite. If you can’t bear even such insignificant sufferings, what will happen when you encounter the inconceivable sufferings of hell?

If someone speaks unkind words to you — even if it’s no more than “You are a liar” — it pierces your mind like an arrow and you think, “How dare he say that to me! I’m not going to let him get away with that!” Even if you come down with a very benign illness, you feel so uneasy and rush to the doctor.

So the only way to put an end to samsara is to practice the dharma. The dharma is offered to you, ready to be used. Therefore, it is up to you whether or not you practice it; the teacher cannot practice it for you.

If you practice with full dedication, you can achieve liberation in the span of this present life; if not, you can prepare the ground for achieving it within a few lifetimes, or at least you will acquire some affinity for the dharma that will eventually lead you along the path.

~ Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche –
A Wonderful Ocean of Advice – Collected Works Vol3 –
Shambhala Publications

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