The World Is Like a Screen

What we see outside is a reflection of our own minds. Therefore, we can’t change our experience from the outside, we must change ourselves.

This is seen to be an essential point in Buddhism. We must first identify the flaws that lie within us, then, as we gradually correct them and improve as people, the outer world will change for the better as well.

The world is like a projector screen and our minds are like projectors. The screen cannot determine what it shows, that power lies solely with the projector.

The process to change ourselves, as it is taught, entails three steps. The first is to listen. It is a little bit strange that to improve ourselves we need to listen to what someone else says or teaches. But that’s just the way things are, we need that external input.

The second step is contemplation. We reflect on what was said and our situation, until we sever all our doubts about what the situation is and what we need to do.

The third step is practice, meditation, where we consciously train and habituate ourselves to that which we know to be better and more correct.

Drupon Khen Rinpoche

Thrangu Sekhar Retreat Centre

12.04.2023