MOTIVATION

PRELIMINARIES AND DEDICATION

In order to make the most out of the following analytical meditations, it is important to realise that one should not only observe the analytical mind, but also the emotions and feelings that come up.
It is strongly advised to start with a good motivation beforehand, to take a few minutes to calm down (doing e.g. a brief breathing meditation is very good) and to dedicate the positive energy afterwards.
For this, the following traditional prayers can be used, but feel free to use any other positive and unselfish thoughts:

Taking Refuge

I go for refuge to the Buddha, I go for refuge to the Dharma, I go for refuge to the Sangha. (3x)

Setting the Mind to Enlightenment

By virtue of giving and so forth,
may I become a Buddha for the benefit of all sentient beings. (3x)

4 Immeasurables

May all sentient beings have equanimity, free from attachment, aggression and prejudice.
May they be happy, and have the causes for happiness.
May they be free from suffering and causes for suffering.
May they never be separated from the happiness that is free from suffering. (3x)

7-Limbed Prayer

Respectfully I prostrate with body, speech and mind; I present clouds of every type of offerings, actual and imagined; I declare all the negative actions I have done since beginningless time,
and rejoice in the merit of all Aryas and ordinary beings.
Please teacher, remain until cyclic existence ends
and turn the wheel of Dharma for all sentient beings. I dedicate the virtues of myself and others to the great Enlightenment.

Dedication

By this virtue may I soon
reach a Guru-Buddha-state,
and lead each and every being
to that state of Buddhahood.

May the precious Bodhicitta
not yet born, arise and grow
may that born have no decline
but increase forever more.

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WHO DO I WANT TO BE?

Mentally project yourself 5 years into the future: how would I like to be, having accomplished what I want to accomplish, learned what I want to learn, did what I wanted to do.

- Which qualities have I developed in myself?
- Which are the most important lessons I have learned?
- What have I done for others that I feel most happy about?
- How did I manage to stop underestimating myself?
- How did I manage to stop underestimating other people?
- How did I manage to stop pretending that I cannot do things?
- Which kind of powers and abilities did I discover in myself?
- Which kind of powers and abilities did I find in others?
- What can I do right now in order to be this person in five years?
- If it feels right, make a commitment to yourself to make this vision reality.

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MAKE UP THE ACCOUNT

Imagine to be dying at the moment, without pain and with a clear mind.

- If I die now, how is the balance of my positive & negative karma of this life?
- How many good things did I do without self-interest, altruistic, out of unconditional love, without expecting anything - not even gratitude - back?
- If this is the addition of the good things, do I even need to consider the bad things?
- Conclusion & dedication - to do something better with the rest of my life.

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IF I HAD ONLY ONE MORE YEAR TO LIVE...

- Imagine lying on your deathbed, unable to move or to talk to the people around
- Observe all feelings and emotions coming up.
- The doctors have given me up, I do not have any pain, but the end may come any moment
- What did I do so far with my life?
- What help are my best friends now?
- What is the use of my savings and possessions?
- I am still much too young, still so much to do... If I only had...
- Suppose I had one more year to live, what would I do with it?
- What could I do that is reasonably possible?
- Are there any apologies to make, or do I need to tell someone the truth still?
- What would really be useful to do before I die?
- Bring yourself back to the here and now, not on my deathbed.
- But does that change anything about the fact I only have limited time to live?
- I can still die every day in traffic, eat something wrong, get ill.
- Are there any things I can do right now of the things I want to do before I die?
- Are there any things I should do within a few weeks?
- Life is much too uncertain to put things off...
- If I want to die peaceful, without regret, I have the chance right now to make my life useful.

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