The Gradual Path Blog
Having established the altruistic intention, we move to the altruistic actions. These six modes of training build our capacity for optimal social engagement while at the same time cultivate the inner qualities leading to Buddhahood.
The Mahayana is the path of awakening through our social interac...
Congratulations!
Youâve made it to the second milestone of the journey!
How is your memorization going?
Based on strong love and compassion for others, and the view of our interdependence, we want to help, but recognize our own limitations. How can we ultimately help others awaken from their ni...
Get ready for an expresso shot!
I articulate Asangaâs âSeven Step Cause and Effectâ method for generating Bodhichitta and follow this up with Shantidevaâs Four-points of Exchanging Self and Otherâ to show how Tsongkhapa stitched both methods together into his 11 point method and how I snuck them ...
Overcome the negativity bias and conduct an inventory of all the success stories and expressions of human triumph.
Just as all social suffering has its origin in self-grasping in each of us, so too all examples of social flourishing have their roots in love and compassion.
Hereâs the good news, ...
Our compassion training combines both a wise mind and an open heart, analysis and emotion.
Here we take a deep dive to expose the root cause (mula klesha) of the myriad forms of suffering, ecological, social and personal.
Try to trace the chain link of events for the most extreme atrocities back...
Reflect on the spectrum of superiority and inferiority.
Where do you put yourself, consciously and unconsciously, and how does this impact your relations with others?
What are the reinforcements in evolution, family systems, culture, and media that determine an imbalance between self and other?
...Recognize all beings as kin helps us feel solidarity.
Remembering their kindness helps us feel gratitude.
Now repay their kindness. Identify all the contaminated motivations for giving - obligation, guilt, fear etc.
Now try to imagine coming from a place of basic trust over mistrust, abundance ...
The world is undergoing an unprecedented period of metamorphosis. No one remains unimpacted by death, loss, and change, yet all spiritual teachings agree that through the dark night a new, more meaningful life is possible for those who are well prepared.
Join us for an innovative, 2 hour guided vis...
Remember the Kindness of all Mother Beings.
We are sculpting our minds towards industrial strength altruism.
In this series of reflections we are consciously choosing what to focus on. Step 16 recognizes all beings as kin, step 17 remembers their kindness.
Letâs define kindness as the investmen...
Though we postponed our annual Buddhist pilgrimage to Nepal and India due to the pandemic until October 2022, Miles offers his reflections on purification, collecting merit, and thinking of others in the meantime.
Miles also shares some exciting news about a very rare and auspicious pre-trip exte...
 In order to develop sustainable compassion capable of withstanding the strong forces of social negativity we need to also develop a realistic worldview, which appreciates our inter-relationality and interdependence since beginingless time.
What if we could see, that at one time or another, all b...
Whereas the steps leading to the first milestone of renunciation cultivated the view and skills for individual freedom, we have now transitioned to a series of steps leading to the second milestone of altruism.
This transition in emphasis from self liberation to liberation of others, is predicate...
