The chapter on ‘Generating the Bodhisattva Spirit' resonated with me for many reasons, which I'll come to in a minute. Not all of the tenets of Buddhism are aligned with my truth.....I don't believe you can reincarnate as an animal, and I do believe there is a Supreme Omniscient Loving Consciousness, Source, God, however you want to label IT. There are more differences, I'm sure. However, I find myself inspired by the Dalai Lama, the teachings of Buddha, and my spiritual path has been graced with powerful gifts from Buddha himself.
So it was I found myself preparing for two lectures in Chicago, a workshop in Grand Rapids and a conference call last month, all within the space of a week. Reading through the seven points of cause and effect to generate the ‘bodhimind' struck a deep cord within me. The bodhimind is described as the ‘awakened mind' of one who "aspires to highest enlightenment as a means of benefiting the world"(2). The sixth point had me contemplating my mission as I prepared for these upcoming events.
"The Third Dalai Lama: Cause six: the extraordinary attitude, and the one effect, the bodhimind. Think, "However, do I have the power to accomplish these two wishes? Not to mention all sentient beings, I don't have the power to free even one from suffering nor place even one in transcendental happiness. For that very reason I made the resolve to attain perfect buddhahood, and if I now give up that resolve, surely I will fall into the lower realms. Yet I can do nothing to free beings from suffering and place them in peerless happiness until I have myself attained full buddhahood. I should immediately start working in every conceivable way to realize the state of complete, perfect enlightenment, samyaksambodhi, taking as the basis the thought to be able to free sentient beings from even the deepest suffering and bring them to ultimate joy."
The week before leaving was jammed full of stress, completing the taxes for my business and visit with the CPA, packing for the Body, Mind, Spirit Expo, planning and preparation. The 12 hour drive to Chicago included sitting on the interstate for an hour due to a terrible accident (we were safe, and our way perfect none the less). We arrived at our hotel about 10:30pm our time, and in 9½ hours would have to be setting up for the expo, fresh, invigorated, focused and an inspirational force of Spirit! Some might call that a tall order.
I prayed. Passionately, and throughout the night. To be connected to All That I Am, to be uplifted and empowered and effective.....to fulfill my mission, to show up and deliver the message.
We set up our booth the next morning, and when possible, prepared for my first lecture that afternoon. As the day unfolded, something quite profound and miraculous began happening. Every person that walked down the aisle, that passed by our booth or stopped to talk, was familiar to me. Not only did I recognize them, but knew them intimately. Looking upon them as family, I greeted them as brothers and sisters. My heart felt as big as the room. Deep love and tremendous compassion filled my heart for every person I saw or spoke with. Talking about this occurrence during my Sunday lecture, I commented that people must have thought me a little deranged as this strange woman was greeting them like long lost friends! It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I've touched this place before, but never lived it for 48 hours!
Thank you Chicago, for giving me the gift of experiencing the Unified Field. My gratitude goes out to every attendee and exhibitor of the Body, Mind, Spirit expo that weekend for bringing me the true knowing of The Bodhimind, and the awareness of how we generate the Spirit of the Bodhisattva regardless of our past, or the obstacles that might attempt to affect our present.
