The-Tibetan-Book-of-Living-and-Dying

366 THE TIBETAN BOOK OF LIVING AND DYINGthink they knew exactly how valuable and how revelatory theteachings would be when the modern world grew ready toreceive them. I think of Dudjom Rinpoche and Karmapa, whochose to die in the West itself, as if to bless it with the powerof their enlightenment. May their prayers for the transformationof the world and for the illumination of the hearts andminds of humanity be fulfilled! And may we who receivedtheir teachings be responsible to them, and strive to embodythem!The greatest challenge that spiritual teachings such as Buddhismface in this transition from their ancient settings to theWest is how, in a turbulent, fast-paced, and restless world, studentsof these teachings can find ways to practice them withthe calm and steady consistency that they require for the realizationof their truth to be possible. Spiritual training, after all,is the highest and in some ways the most demanding form ofeducation, and it must be followed with the same dedicatedand systematic application as any other kind of serious training.How can we accept that to train to be a doctor requiresyears of study and practice, but all we require for our spiritualpath through life are chance blessings, initiations, and occasionalencounters with different masters? In the past, peoplestayed in one place and followed a master all their lives. Thinkof Milarepa, serving Marpa for years before he was spirituallymature enough to leave him and practice on his own. Spiritualtraining requires a continuous transmission, working with themaster and learning, following him or her with ardor andsubtle skill. The main question for the future of the teachingin the modern world is how those who are following theteachings can be helped and inspired to find the right innerand outer environment in which fully to practice them, followthem through, and come to realize and embody their heartessence.The teachings of all the mystical paths of the world make itclear that there is within us an enormous reservoir of power,the power of wisdom and compassion, the power of whatChrist called the Kingdom of Heaven. If we learn how to useit—and this is the goal of the search for enlightenment—it cantransform not only ourselves but the world around us. Hasthere ever been a time when the clear use of this sacredpower was more essential or more urgent? Has there everbeen a time when it was more vital to understand the natureof this pure power and how to channel it and use it for thesake of the world? I pray that all of you who read this book