Four years I’ve been unsure what is meant by the term bodhicitta beyond nurturing a wish to become a Buddha to relieve the suffering of beings. But, yesterday, during my life practice off the cushion, I began to fancy the idea that bodhicitta might just be a shorthand for a group of virtues and behaviors that conduce to liberation.
I made the aspiration yesterday that I would guard the loving-kindness in my heart all day long as is recommended in the Karaniya Metta Sutta. Quickly I found that it wasn’t just metta but all of the ten paramis and the iddhi bala as well. It occurred to me: maybe this is what is meant when Mahayana masters speak of an enlightened heart-mind. It’s not solely compassion or loving-kindness but it is the determination to help others with wisdom and discernment as well.
Clearly, thus hasn’t turned out to be nearly as earth-shattering when written as it appeared to me when I contemplated it in silence but I’ve shared nonetheless.
May I guard bodhicitta against the defilements and be of service and succor to all I meet.
Cattāri Brahmavihārā 
Leave a comment