The Art of Reframing:
Eight Verses to Change Your Perspective
with Geshe Sherab
We all experience being put down, criticized, or belittled at some point—and the feelings of hurt, anger, defensiveness, and hostility that usually follow. When we encounter such challenges, we suffer more from our own mental states than from the external events themselves. For this reason, changing our perspective can be extraordinarily effective.
Mind training (or lojong in Tibetan) is a category of Buddhist practice that guides us in transforming difficult situations at their emotional core. In his gentle and assured manner, Geshe Sherab teaches one of the most beloved mind training texts: the Eight Verses of Training the Mind, composed from oral traditions by Geshe Langri Tangpa. In eight memorable slogans, this text aims to turn our usual self-protective thinking upside down, distilling the essence of the Buddha’s teachings so they can be applied in daily life.
Geshe Sherab received the transmission of this celebrated work from Lama Zopa Rinpoche and many other highly regarded teachers. These teachings and practices offer a powerful path to cultivating the good heart: our loving-kindness, compassion, and the wisdom that understands the nature of ultimate truth.
Additional Materials
Prayers (PDF)
Text: Eight Verses of Training the Mind (Via lotsawahouse.org)
Recording
About the Teacher
Geshe Thubten Sherab was born in 1967 in a small village in the province of Manang, the western part of Nepal, to a Kagyu-Nyingma family. He entered Kopan Monastery at the age of nine and completed his geshe studies at Sera Jey monastery in South India, followed by a year at Gyumed Tantric College. He then completed retreat and teaching assignments in the United States and Asia. Geshe Sherab served as headmaster of Kopan Monastery’s school for four years, overseeing debate training and tantric training activities. Geshe-la taught and helped in the FPMT International Office for two and a half years in Taos, New Mexico (2001–03) and also served as director of the FPMT board for a few years. For the last few years, Geshe-la has been traveling and teaching at FPMT centers in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Asia, and Europe, while also serving as resident teacher at Thubten Norbu Ling in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
