"The Tibetan Book Of Living And Dying" - Summary

Discernment is a crucial aspect of the spiritual journey, requiring more intelligence, understanding, and discrimination than any other discipline. This is because the highest truth is at stake. It's important to approach the spiritual path with a sense of humor, acknowledging the baggage one brings along, including personal shortcomings, fantasies, and projections. Simultaneously, one should maintain a soaring awareness of their true nature, coupled with a grounded humility and a clear understanding of where they are on their spiritual journey and what still needs to be understood and accomplished.

A common pitfall to avoid is the "shopping mentality" prevalent in the West, where individuals hop from one spiritual master or teaching to another without any continuity or sustained dedication to a single discipline. The wisdom of great spiritual masters across traditions emphasizes the importance of mastering one path to truth, following one tradition wholeheartedly while remaining open and respectful towards the insights of others. This approach prevents the spiritual journey from becoming an obsession and keeps one centered on the path despite inevitable obstacles.

An illustrative example of this principle is the Tibetan saying, "Knowing one, you accomplish all." This highlights the importance of depth over breadth in spiritual exploration. The modern tendency to keep all options open and avoid commitment is a dangerous delusion that can sabotage one's spiritual search. Therefore, discernment in choosing and committing to a spiritual path is of utmost importance.