In this talk Venerable Thubten Dekyi draws a compelling analogy between weeds in a garden and afflictions in one’s mind.
She describes her personal anxiety and stress during summer as she sees weeds growing, equating this to the visibility of afflictions and past karma.
Identifying and managing these mental afflictions, such as attachment, the need to be right, distraction, and people-pleasing, can be challenging.
Some afflictions, like native plants, thrive under certain conditions, while others, like attachment, are difficult to recognize.
Thubten Dekyi emphasizes the importance of early detection and rapid response, using the example of Rush skeleton weed, which is analogous to the deep-rooted mentality of “I’m right.”
She highlights the need to let go of attachments to opinions and ideas, which often cause strife and hinder growth.
Thubten Dekyi identifies three common afflictions: the need to be right, distraction (tumble mustard), and people-pleasing (horseweed).
Managing these afflictions requires a healthy mind, akin to maintaining healthy soil for weed control.
Recognizing interdependence and fostering a diverse, healthy mind are crucial for cultivating authenticity and genuine connections.
Gratitude is underscored as a vital quality that enhances longevity and fosters authentic connections.
Thubten Dekyi shares positive news about the decline in global CO2 emissions, attributing this to the rise of renewable energy.
She encourages focusing on life’s positives and supporting renewable energy to protect the environment and each other.
