So this is the final in a series of 4 where I've been thinking about some beautiful ideas in the Buddhist tradition. There is a melancholic air in the garden now. not as much light as there used to be in August. WE've come to the turn of the year. so here we go again. But I'm so happy.

I'm so happy to be talking to you. this is a strange thing, I've never got over it; the mystery of talking to you. being present with you. Sharing at this level my faith.

My faith is like the wind. Like gossamer. It comes and goes. Except when you share it. And next week I begin the big journey into the winter. I love this and if you've been with me for winter on previous years you'll know I feel hugged and loved by the cosmos when the light fades. the tree outside my door is the cosmos. that's the tentacle that connects with me. and I too am the cosmos. and so are you. me and you and the tree are just the cosmos talking to itself. And when you get into that space you could stay there forever. and finally

maybe we are eternally there. or here. or together. Forever.

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I was thinking that if you're going to deepen your insights into Buddhist philosophy, you might need more than me. So I took a book, which is special and singular and crucial for me in my path towards Buddhist wisdom. It's got a title with a lot of syllables and authored by a person with a strange name for the Western ear. Nonetheless, this is like a figure similar to Saint Augustine or Thomas Aquinas though his thought is more concise and he uses less pages to compose his thoughts. Shanti-deva is the man in question and the name of the book is The

Bodhicaryavatara, or in English, A guide to the bodhisattva way of life.

You can get it on kindle, or amazon or in hardback online. I think it's a key text in Tibetan Buddhism. I think it's something you can dip into occasionally for many years with great benefit.

And so we must look at this notion of the bodhisattva; what is that. Well it's a person who is dedicated to developing Bodhichitta. That's about the simplest way to say it. And what is Bodhichitta; it's a very simple matter, which I have really enjoyed reflecting on in this episode.

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It's a tricky subject; we say we're sending you vibes, sending you love, sending you best wishes. Praying for you. thinking about you. And so I wanted to pinpoint what I think is a key idea and a key prayer in the Buddhist Tradition which for me is the door into a Buddhist Pathway. One single prayer that opens up so many aspects of Buddhist practise.

The trouble is that it's a complicated enough thing to reflect on, so forgive me if I'm just talking around what is a big mystery; the mysterious of how we find happiness by praying for others.

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Our hearts are disconnected from the language of faith. But it's not impossible to dive into the wonderful narratives of hope that are contained in the Christian tradition and discover enormous resources for the human heart and mental well being. Today on the feast of Mary, Assumed into Heaven, or as it is called in the east, the Dormition, I'm beginning a three part meditation on the wonders of this feast. So let your rational mind relax and take hold of these lovely musings with your heart, and then ask yourself how much better you're feeling.

This is Part One. Part Two next weekend and Part Three on the last weekend in August.

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