Small Group Exercise: One Life One Slogan

One Life, One Slogan

Point 7 Slogans:

• All activities should be done with one intention

• Correct all wrongs with one intention

• Two activities: one at the beginning and one at the end: set intention and dedicate

• Whichever of the two occurs, be patient: good or bad

• Observe these two, even at the risk of your life: keep your vows

• Train in the three difficulties: open to neurosis, address, continue

• Take on the three principal causes: life is teaching you, dedication to the path, create positive life circumstances

• Pay heed that the three never wane: trust the teaching, continue mind-training, maintain refuge and bodhisattva vows

• Keep the three inseparable: action, speech/thought/heartmind

• Train without bias in all areas. It is crucial to do this pervasively and wholeheartedly

• Always meditate on whatever provokes resentment

• Don’t be swayed by external circumstances

• This time, practice the main points

• Don’t misinterpret

• Don’t vacillate

• Train wholeheartedly

• Liberate yourself by examining and analyzing

• Don’t wallow in self-pity

• Don’t be jealous

• Don’t be frivolous

• Don’t expect applause

Group Instructions (75 minutes)

Step 1: Personal check in (10 minutes)

• Each member of the triad takes 2-3 minutes to check in and share.

Step 2: shared facilitation & timekeeping (2 minutes)

This session is designed for shared leadership and mutual presence. Before beginning, take a few minutes to decide:

• Who will read the prompts for each section?

• Who will serve as Timekeeper to help the group stay gently on track?

Once roles are chosen, begin with a brief cohering meditation (3–4 minutes) to rest in the heart mind, connect to the stability of the earth, attunement, and the mycelial connection of your small group.

Step 3: Framing the context (6 minutes)

Each member of the Triad reads a paragraph to the group.

In the beginning of our path, we often think of practice as something we do — on the cushion, in silence, with a bell to guide us. But over time, we begin to see that the real purpose of meditation is to transform the way we live — how we speak, how we respond, how we show up in the middle of life. And that means the real test of practice is not how calm we are in retreat, but how we hold ourselves in the midst of pressure, complexity, and relationship.

Point Seven is where the rubber meets the road. It’s the transition point between formal sitting and the lived field of dharma — where slogans become ethical commitments, and insights become relational integrity. These guidelines are not gentle reminders; they are rigorous, compassionate provocations. They ask: Can you hold your vow when you’re misunderstood? Can you act from bodhicitta when you’re tired, afraid, or reactive? Can you keep your ethical thread in the face of adversity?

This is the spirit of Point Seven: not idealism, but embodiment. It’s a training ground for ethical responsiveness, rooted in daily life. Noticing when we justify our habits. Catching ourselves when we drift into reactivity. Realizing that our patterns — and our vows — show up in the way we write emails, listen to a friend, or walk into conflict. This is where we build the capacity to act from depth, not default.

Today, we will enter this terrain honestly. Each of us will name a part of our life — a relationship or pattern — where the tension between vow and reaction is most alive. And then we will explore which of the Point Seven slogans is calling to us as a guide. This is not about judgment or perfection. It’s about choosing to live from the heart of our path, even when — especially when — things fall apart.

So let’s begin by remembering: practice is not something we step into and out of. It is a way of being. The slogans were never meant to stay on a page. They’re meant to be carried into traffic, family life, inboxes, decisions, and disagreements. They’re here to help us become what we already are — vessels of integrity, care, and wisdom in a complex world.

Take a moment of silence  to integrate what has been shared.

Step 4: REflection & Journaling (10 minutes)

Now we’ll take 10 minutes for personal reflection and journaling.

Ask yourself:

• Where in my life am I most challenged to live my practice?

• What’s the edge I’m standing at?

• Which of the Point Seven slogans speaks directly to this moment?

• What vow, ethical posture, or quality of heart is being asked of me?

Step 5: Commitment circle (15 minutes - 5 minutes each)

We’ll now move into our commitment circle. Each person will take about 5 minutes. This is a space to speak your vow, reflect on its meaning, and be witnessed with care.

Begin by stating your commitment aloud using this sentence:

“In [life context] of my daily life , I vow to [chosen slogan].”

Let it come from the heart. You don’t need to perform — just speak it clearly and sincerely.

After speaking your vow, take a couple of minutes to reflect more personally. Share why this vow matters to you at this moment in your life. What makes it feel alive or urgent? What challenge do you anticipate in holding to it? What kind of support or remembrance might help you live into it?

When you’re complete, we  will offer a brief response. 

After each round,we will take a short pause in silence before moving on to the next person.

We will have about six to seven minutes. Trust the natural rhythm of the group, and stay connected to your heart as you speak and listen.