Instructions for Aids/Cancer Retreat

Use the Vajrapani meditation. Visualize Vajrapani in front emitting strong white beams of purification to wherever you have pain or disease. Vajrapani purifies the disease and stops harm by non-human beings and other conditions associated with the disease. There have been people healed from cancer by using Vajrapani meditation.

Meditate a little on ignorance—not knowing the mind's ultimate nature, the five aggregates, right and wrong actions, and desire and anger—all of these bring about karmic action. That unwholesome action leaves a potential on the consciousness, which is the main cause for the disease and all life's problems. Without this imprint one won't get contagious diseases, therefore it must be purified. Think that one is purifying not only oneself but on behalf of everyone with cancer and AIDS, and for all beings with problems.

Use these analogies: Negative and positive imprints relate to happiness and success or failure. We can remember yesterday although it no longer exists. We can recall the past depending on our clarity of mind. The amount we can recall depends on this clarity, or it can be recalled in a dream. Good or bad actions arise from the mental imprint.

Explain that mind is not physically substantial, like electricity. We don't see electricity but it has the capacity to carry a message from one point to the radio or television, whatever. Like this, karma created in this life can be experienced from life to life.

Emphasize the capacity of the mind, whether we now remember karma or reincarnation or not. The mind is like a telescope. If it is developed, like sophisticated technology, then it can see far and very clearly.

Meditation should focus on bodhicitta with tonglen. We develop a good heart and loving kindness and then meditate on the four immeasurables with tonglen. The object of tonglen is all beings' three poisonous minds and diseases, but particularly the same disease as the meditator has. This is developing the thought of making the sickness worthwhile and purifying others.

Use loving kindness with the mind of giving. Get the meditation from FPMT Central Office of the person who recovered from AIDS (called "Meditation for AIDS", File: AIDS.MD).

Sometimes just recite mantras and then practice tonglen. Using thought transformation is important. No matter whether many people come to an organized event or not, even practicing it with one person is worthwhile.

The length of time for the retreat can be five days to one week, ten days, or a weekend. If it is ten days, then people can come according to the time they have available.

The practice is beneficial not only for curing the disease but for accumulating merit and purifying. Sometimes, depending on the people present, we can explain dependent arising and emptiness, gross and subtle, but mostly use bodhicitta.

Resources

The Seven Point Training of the Mind, Geshe Chekawa.

Advice from a Spiritual Friend, Geshes Dhargyey and Rabten, includes commentary by Geshe Rabten, Wisdom Publications, 1986.

Selected Works of the Dalai Lama VII, trans. Glen Mullin, Snow Lion, 1982.

The Mind-Training like the Rays of the Sun, H.H. 14th Dalai Lama, with commentary by H.H. Dalai Lama, Nam-kha Pel - Chö Yang magazine Vol 1 No.1, 1986.

Commentary by Geshe Jampa Tegchok, trans. S. Carlier, Nalanda Monastery, France, 1992.

Mind Training like the Rays of the Sun, Nam-kha Pel/B. Beresford, LTWA, 1992.

Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche/M. Richards, Wisdom Publications, 1991 (Root text pp. 788-792 and commentary pp. 589-625).

Transforming Problems, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Wisdom Publications, Boston 1993.

Also, use the thought transformation prayers in the Lama Chöpa (Guru Puja). It is important to see the disease as positive. Mainly think, “I am experiencing this disease on behalf of all sentient beings.” Practice this awareness in the day. Wish all to be free of this disease and to never have to experience it.

If people are open-minded, then explain about liberating animals. People have untimely deaths, though generally have the karma for a long life. Liberation of animals creates the cause for a long life. Buy fish and crayfish in restaurants. You can also buy maggots. This helps all the beings involved. Liberate 100 beings or up to the age of the person, depending on the economic situation of the person.

Think, “Instead of all beings, I take this on.” Doing this sincerely definitely helps. With sudden pain at any time, use tonglen, even just reciting the words or starting to have the intention.