The Zen Studies Podcast 298 – Framing Your Dharma Practice in a Helpful Way
Mar 31, 2025
Consider how you frame your Dharma practice. This episode encourages a shift in perspective to unlock deeper insights and enhance your journey. It also reframes spiritual challenges, viewing the body and mind as 'borrowed vehicles' that foster compassion and gratitude. By being aware of your framing, you can transform frustrations into growth opportunities, ultimately enriching your practice.
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Common Practice Framing Pitfalls
- Most people frame Dharma practice as trying to improve or fix their body and mind, but this often leads to frustration.
- Identifying as either the executive trying to improve oneself or the flawed body-mind creates dissatisfaction or self-judgment.
Borrowed Vehicle Analogy
- Domyo Burk compares the body-mind to borrowing an old, imperfect car for a road trip.
- Despite flaws, the car allows the journey, inspiring gentle respect and gratitude toward the borrowed vehicle.
Retreat Reflection on Borrowing Self
- During a week-long silent retreat, Domyo saw his body-mind as borrowed, a vehicle enabling practice despite limitations and frustrations.
- This perspective reduced self-judgment and increased compassion toward himself and his 'owner'.