In moments of focused prayer, meditation, kindness, caring, and mindful work, we generate a potency, like an electrical charge, within the stream of our being. This sweet ambrosia is like the vital energy or fuel for our spiritual evolution. Living a mindful, loving life, the strength and potency of this vitality grows within us, nourishing our soul, body, mind, and relationships. But in moments of mindlessness, fear, negativity, or anger, we bleed off this vitality and feel depleted. Understanding this, there is a powerful meditation practice for renewing this positive evolutionary energy that you can develop through the wisdom and generosity of the heart. It’s called the practice of “dedication”, and here is one way to get a sense for how it works:

Imagine that, as you distill the spiritual ambrosia from your positive actions, you can also put a drop of this sweet nectar in the cups of everyone you love, or even in the cups of every being. Your offering to them carries with it a potency, and becomes a source of nourishment and inspiration in their own lives, inspiring them and deepening their own wisdom and love.

It is as though with each “dividend check” that you receive for your good works, you consciously reach out from your heart and dedicate or deposit a little of your own spiritual capital into the “bank accounts” of others. Your investment in them increases their spiritual wealth. Then, if through mindlessness or recklessness you knock over your own cup, or dissipate your personal reserves, all is not lost.  Through your deep, heartfelt connections with others, there are resources that you can draw strength and inspiration from.  In times when your own storehouse may be low or depleted, it is likely that you will be able to receive support from the interests that have accrued due to your previous kindness. In this way, the gains that you realize can never be fully destroyed.

Drinking from the Well

As a way to further understand the spirit of dedication, the following parable gives an analogy and a practice you can use:

Imagine yourself standing in front of a sacred well. You are parched and yearning to have your thirst quenched. “I am so thirsty,” you say raising your cup up to be filled, “Please fill my cup that I might quench my thirst.” Filling your cup with cool clear water, the responsive and compassionate Universe says, “Sure, thanks for asking. May your thirst and wishes be fulfilled.”  You raise your cup to drink, and the sweet waters quench your thirst and quell your longing and you feel refreshed.

Yet, having tasted such sweetness you look around. So many others are still thirsty. Their cups are broken or empty, their lips are cracked. They too yearn to be fulfilled. Moved by compassion, you return to the sacred well. This time you ask, “Please, will you fill my cup, and while you fill my cup, will you fill the cups of those I love, and the cups of my friends and neighbors?  They too are thirsty, they too yearn to have their cups filled and their thirst quenched. It is unbearable to see their pain. Please help them as you have helped me.”  “Of course,” comes the compassionate voice from the well-spring, “May the thirst of all those you care for be quenched and their wishes be fulfilled. Thanks for asking.”  Raising your cup to drink this second time, you look around delighted to see the cups of those you love are also filled. It’s incredible and as you drink together this time, the water tastes so sweet and the satisfaction is so much greater, and you sense within you the deep satisfaction of many others. It feels so good.

As you approach the well the third time you are smiling. There is a twinkling in your eye. You now understand how this process works. Raising your cup to be filled, this time you say, “My thirst reminds me that all beings thirst for something. As you fill my cup, will you please fill the cups of each being and satisfy whatever their longing and desires are?”  “Of course,” replies the compassionate voice of the deep well, “May the cups of each being be filled with exactly that which will bring them into peace, harmony and balance in their lives. May their every wish be fulfilled!  Thanks for asking.”  As the sweet clear nectar fills your cup you look around. As far as you can see, as far as you can imagine, near and far, friend and foe, into the past and even into the distant future, countless cups are raised and filled. As you drink, and the clear nectar fills you with sweet satisfaction, you know that countless desires have been fulfilled, and that each being in their own way has at least a drop more peace and balance in their life because of your generosity of spirit. Your own satisfaction is inexhaustible.

 Excerpted and adapted from our various books on meditation.

 

Dedication Prayer
from Dudjum Rinpoche, often taught by Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche

 Throughout my many lives and until this moment

Whatever virtue I have accomplished

Including the merit generated by this practice and all that I will ever attain this I offer

for the welfare of sentient beings.

May sickness, war, famine and suffering be decreased for every being

While the wisdom and compassion increase in this and every future life

 May I clearly perceive all experiences to be as insubstantial as the dream fabric of the night and instantly awaken to perceive the pure wisdom display in the arising of every phenomena.

May I quickly attain enlightenment in order to work ceaselessly for the liberation of all sentient beings.

 

Buddhas and Bodhisattvas all together

Whatever kind of motivation you have whatever kind of beneficial action whatever kind of wishing prayers

Whatever kind of omniscience

Whatever kind of life accomplishment

Whatever kind of benevolent power and

Whatever kind of immense wisdom you have

then similarly may I who have come in the same way to benefit beings pray to attain these qualities

At this very moment for the people and the nations of the earth

May not even the names disease famine, war and suffering be heard

Rather may their moral conduct, merit, wealth and prosperity increase

And may supreme good fortune and well being always arise for them.