Don't Act with a Twist

"Don't act with a twist." Chogyam Trunpa

This morning when I pulled this card from my lojong deck, I couldn’t imagine what it could mean. Then I read Chögyam Trungpa’s explanation in Training the Mind. It ended with, “The practice of this slogan is to drop that attitude of looking for personal benefits from practice—either as an immediate or a long-term gain.” All day long I was pondering what would mean to give up thinking about gain from practice.

I imagine that everyone takes up spiritual practice initially at least expecting some benefit unless the inspiration comes from somewhere much deeper and maybe not even recognized. Over many years, I know I have hoped somehow spiritual practice could improve me, make me happier, make me lovable, teach me how to love, and any number of other projections on how life would be different when I finally found my practice. I question now whether I have arrived at a place where I don’t expect anything from it for myself any more or if I ever will get to that point. Jamgon Kontrul in The Path of Great Awakening relates it more to the stages of the Buddhist path and arriving finally beyond practicing merely for yourself to responding “to the inspiration of full awakening for the benefit of others.” In Thomas Keating’s writing he talks about devotion and service. They appear to be to him two sides of the same coin. I believe that what starts out being for ourselves through growing in devotion over time leads to the desire to be of service to others. Somehow it becomes too good to hold onto just for ourselves and a desire to share rises from within. There is a growing sense within me that there is an aspect of “being” for others, not just doing. Perhaps what arises from practicing no longer just for our own benefit, but for the benefit of all beings (which includes us), is that it opens our hearts wide. Then do from this heartful place, whatever we do will be of benefit and not done with a twist.