The third aspect of virya paramita, the perfection of energy, is altruism. The dictionary defines "altruism" as unselfish regard for the well-being of others.
In Buddhism, this unselfish regard for others� is something that arises naturally from practice. As our grip on our ego loosens, and wisdom grows, compassion grows as well. In fact, wisdom and compassion are inextricably linked.
Most of us begin practice with self-benefit in mind. Yes, we're warned to not expect to gain anything, but we expect it anyway. But at some point, sooner or later, there's a turning around of our concern, and a genuine desire to practice for others arises. This is bodhicitta.
You can't will bodhicitta, I don't think. Even dedicating yourself to charitable work is not necessarily bodhicitta, if you are still attaching your ego to what you do. Genuine bodhicitta arises from practice.
So, you might ask, what does this have to do with energy? Many of us find that the turning away from self-concern is energizing. The late Lama Thubten Yeshe said, "Bodhicitta energy is alchemical. It transforms all your ordinary actions of body, speech and mind - your entire life into positivity and benefit for others, like iron transmuted into gold."
I believe there are Tibetan tantric practices that visualize bodhicitta flowing through energy channels in the body. This certainly sounds energizing! Even without that specific visualization, however, as we turn away from self-concern we are also opening up and breaking down the walls that define "me." And as we do that, on a subtle level we tap into the energy of the universe.
At the same time, we no longer put so much energy into protecting ourselves. Personal failure becomes an empty concept, no longer weighing us down, because practice is no longer about "just me."
This isn't a state reached all at once. You may experience boundless confidence one day and be locked back up in negativity the next. But now you know that boundless confidence is possible, so keep practicing!
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