Rinpoche kindly gave a teaching on Transforming the Outer, Inner and Secret Enemies at Bodhicharya Berlin, and it was also simultaneously streamed via Zoom and Youtube. These “enemies” are different obstacles that can arise in our life and practice.

A Summary
by Maggy Jones

Part 1
“Outer” is something “outside” – a happening, an observation etc. “Inner” is something within us and is an important cause of outer problems. If you have few inner problems you will have few outer problems. “Secret” is something that we don’t really recognise; sometimes we see it is a solution but it creates more problems.

“Enemy” is something that does harm and prevents you from achieving your potential. Outer Enemies include conflicts and negative approaches. Sometimes the problem seems very big and we feel helpless but it did not come on its own; things happen because of many causes and conditions. Things can be changed. (Story: How a little thing can make a bit change.) We can work together; problems can be a useful lesson, and even an opportunity. Problems are mostly caused by the way we react and not the difficulty itself. Q & A

Part 2
Some say that if you are a spiritual practitioner, all your problems will disappear. Not true. Problems arise through causes and conditions, you must look for correct solutions which may or may not be spiritual. How we experience things and our reactions is due to our mind. 6 things make up our body, when they are in harmony we are healthy. When we talk about “Inner” we may mean that or we may mean emotions – kleshas – which can cause outer problems. Wars start with greed, fear, etc. Our “View” – how we see things – governs our reactions, decides our friends and enemies. Your views can be changed through loving kindness and compassion. Try not to retaliate. Beware of “attachment” which does not mean love. Remember that death could happen any time. Q & A

Part 3
Now we discuss the secret obstacles. You can say this prayer, “May the outer obstacles dissolve outside; may the inner obstacles dissolve inside and the secret obstacles dissolve into space.” What are the secret obstacles? It is something that we do not usually recognise as an obstacle. For example dharma practice can become an obstacle. You can become fanatical saying, “Buddhism is THE BEST”. You can become fanatical about anything but the Buddha taught the middle way. Never just accept what you have been told, examine it for yourself.

The solution? Open your mind, open your heart then you will see things more clearly and from other angles, and that nothing, nobody, is perfect. Self-consciousness can be a secret obstacle also expectations. Q & A

Rinpoche taught in English and there were simultaneous translations into German, Portuguese and Spanish.

This teaching was hosted by Bodhicharya Berlin. You can use the button below to make an offering to them.

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There were live simultaneous translations into German, Spanish, Portuguese (see audio files below). For session 1, only Portuguese translation is available for now.

If you would like to make an offering for translations, please click the links below:

• Tradução para o português – Tsering Paldron
• Deutsche Übersetzung – Eva Katrin Yahoual
• Traducción Española – Paula Jardon

For more information, visit: https://www.bodhicharya.de