Today’s teaching from Rinpoche requires some background. Years ago, Rinpoche and his student Foster where walking on the beach, meditating and reading the Eight Verses of Training the Mind, when Rinpoche noticed a seagull that was attempting to eat a very large fish carcass. They both watched as the seagull managed to get the big fish down his throat, but then the trouble started. The fish was too big for the seagull’s throat. The seagull was in danger of dying. He tried and tried and finally was able to eject the fish and spare his life. It was a profound Dharma teaching. On the back of the little paper that held the Eight Verses (as they had no other paper), Rinpoche wrote this:
The translation of the Tibetan into English is thanks to Rinpoche and Monlam AI:
22. On the seashore, a white seagull devours a large fish
By just filling its belly, it will surly lose its life
So please match your appetite accordingly
That is my heart advice.
Foster and Rinpoche joked that it was a continuation of the Rinpoche’s 21 verse Heartelt Advice of Dharma Nectar. They laughed, and then Foster wrote verse 23–which has Rinpoche’s stamp of approval!
Think about love, wisdom, and impermanence.
Then take a nap.
That is my heart advice.
By Venerable Khenpo Karten Rinpoche and his dear student Foster. Story told to Rachel and Miles as we visited on 4-6-25; year of the event unknown; the little card turned up when Lisa A. cleaned and organized Rinpoche’s bookshelf.
