It’s vital to include everything in mind training. Leave nothing out. Literally every single thing that happens to you- everything you think, experience, or observe- can help you grow. And in fact, one of the best gifts of lojong mind training is that it helps us create a more holistic, whole approach to life.

So often, we section our lives off into little distinct parcels. Our work goes over here, our relationships over there, our spirituality over that way. But if we want to grow in integrity, we grow in such a way that brings all of these sections together into one.

The traditional phrasing of lojong slogan 48 says, “Train without bias in all areas. It is crucial to always do this pervasively and wholeheartedly.” Training without bias doesn’t only mean not ignoring certain things. It also means not favoring certain things, either. A lot of times, we like to focus on what we feel best at, or what comes easiest to us.

I remember when I first began serving as a chaplain in a retirement community, my supervisor asked me if I was spending equal time with the residents. Of course I wasn’t! I didn’t linger in the rooms of the residents who were mean to me. And I tended to stay longer with those who really seemed to enjoy my visits. She said, “Next week, try the opposite. See if you can give your best efforts to those who seem most resistant to it and see what happens.” It was such a good lesson on how I had unconsciously been spending my time in a lopsided way.

Training pervasively and wholeheartedly means simply giving it our all. And it also means not leaving anything out because we trust this process. I like the way Norman Fischer says it:

Recalling that there’s absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, nothing you need to hide, that everything in you can be brought forth at the proper time and all of it is not only worthwhile, it is a necessary part of the picture.

This week, what if you decided to include everything in your practice? Consider where you may be spending too much time, and what areas of life you may be avoiding. See if, like the wise suggestion of my chaplain, you can switch where you’re giving your best efforts this week. See what happens!