At every time in history people have had to face difficulties and confusion, and they have made big mistakes. We are encountering no more obstacles than our ancestors did, even though it may seem that way sometimes. Whatever our situation at this moment, whether it seems fortunate or unfortunate, we can choose to meet it as an opportunity to work with our mind. Then even a painful error can become an opportunity for awakening, an opportunity to transform our confusion into wisdom.
Particularly in challenging times, we need to remember that the path of wisdom is a mixed bag. On one hand, there is a process of transformation taking place: in some areas, we are clearly overcoming obstacles and experiencing some level of psychological liberation. In other areas, however, we are still struggling, still engaged in negative, unproductive actions, and therefore experiencing the negative results of that. We are not always perfect and our life includes blunders and burdens of various kinds. One of the greatest yogis of our time, Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, says, “Erring and erring, we walk the unerring path.”…
