Lo-jong, which literally means “mind-training,” is a type of contemplative practice within Tibetan Buddhism involving active reflection on a set of aphorisms that serve as instructional reminders (e.g. be grateful to everyone; don’t take pleasure in contemplating the flaws of others; always meditate on whatever provokes resentment). Presented as a means of supporting the wellbeing of self and others, the lo jong contemplations serve as antidotes to the mental states that cause suffering primarily by promoting the active cultivation of compassion (which has an affective component reliant on feelings of affection for an individual or group, a cognitive component that includes an awareness of other’s suffering, and a motivational component which is a desire to relieve others’ suffering—including one’s own).   

 

In this type of analytical meditation, one learns to systematically engage in the cognitive reappraisal of events and behaviors and then shift the types of mindsets that undermine wellbeing. While some of the traditional topics of contemplation require a belief in certain aspects of Buddhist philosophy (e.g. the emptiness of all phenomena) or metaphysics (e.g. rebirth, karma), many are extremely practical and available to anyone. In this session, we will briefly look at the history, theory and practice of lo-jong and how analytical meditation differs from the practice of mindfulness. We will try out a couple of traditional lo-jong contemplations and discuss how this technique can applied to the situations one encounters in everyday life.