Lois Kuhle learns how to tame the crazy elephant inside – that is our own mind!
Conjure up the image of a Buddhist Monk and one immediately envisages a person exuding loving kindness and compassion. Gen Kelsang Sangdak does not disappoint on any level, and although he shies away from adoration, one cannot help but get caught up in the curiosity of who this beautiful man is. Not to mention that he looked fab in his maroon robes!
Gen Sangdak was the guest speaker at the Durban North Cancer Support Group and his popularity was evident in the good turn-out of cancer sufferers and survivors.
This gentle, softly spoken man took us on a simple journey to develop a peaceful mind through meditation.
“Life is full of difficulties,” said Gen Sangdak “and often we don’t know how to deal with them. As a response our mind develops feelings of frustration, anger and disappointment, and this makes us feel unhappy.”
The body and mind are two separate, yet related objects.
“The body is useful for this life,” he continued “and our mind resides within our body, just like a bird using a nest. When we die, our mind leaves this body.”
Gen Sangdak elaborated as follows: The importance of the mind must not be understated. It can understand, perceive and apprehend. The body cannot do that. It does not have the ability to contemplate or comprehend. It is impermanent and never perfect and right from the time we are born it is already preparing to die. This is not easy to accept, but true universally.
“It is vitally important to learn about the mind, regardless of religion. Happiness and unhappiness depend upon the state of mind. If you can transform your mind to make it well and peaceful, you will be happy!”
We need to learn to control our mind, and not let unpleasant feelings and negative emotions take hold in our daily lives. If a negative emotion (like anger) arises, learn to reduce it, control it and overcome it. In this way we are liberating ourselves from these internal poisons. When we are able to see a beautiful world around us, this is a clear indication that our mind has transformed into a good state. And vice versa.
“There is no point in holding onto negative thoughts, they have absolutely no benefit” explained Gen Sangdak. “It is never too late to look inside and learn to understand the mind. We could all have such enjoyment, and there is so much wonderful work we could do with a good state of mind. We could live with deep inner peace, confidence, without fear and anxiety.”
We all have the potential to change for the better. Goodness knows we have already changed many times in our lives.
Meditation is a way of reflecting inward, getting to know the mind, and learning to pacify the inner turmoil. Generally our mind is constantly busy, like a washing machine that never ends its cycle. This lack of inner peace is very uncomfortable to have and brings so much suffering.
“The highest achievement is to gain control over our own mind, to tame the ‘crazy elephant’ inside. At the moment it controls us, we are like a slave, the mind tells us what to do, and we suffer from its many negativities. We need to reverse this to lead a peaceful, happy, and harmonious life”
Then Gen Sangdak led us on a simple meditation, using the breath as a focus. “Follow the breath in and out. When exhaling, exhale all the negative thoughts, like black smoke from your lungs. Let them go. While inhaling, imagine inhaling bright, warm, radiant light that fills your body and mind with positivity and happiness.”
His advice for daily life was to sincerely practice love and compassion, it is the best way to make both ourselves and others happy.
The Durban North Cancer Support Group meets every second Tuesday of the month, with interesting guest speakers offering mental, spiritual and medical support. Contact Sheila Moolman on 031 564 2510
Info: Contact Gen Sangdak at Mahasiddha Kadampa Buddhist Centre. Tel 031 464 0984 www.meditateindurban.org