The Dharma Dashboard

The Dharma Dashboard is a quick checklist reminder I use every day, to get a reading on my state of mind and give it a tune-up.

I do it first thing every morning when I wake up, even before I open my eyes.

The Dashboard is a checklist of mental qualities, some wholesome and some not. I envision a panel of indicator lights in my mind’s eye, like those on the dashboard of an airplane.

Going through the checklist is magical because the act of checking automatically switches on wholesome qualities and switches off unwholesome ones, at least temporarily.

When you start each day this way, the mind brightens with interest and keeps an eye on itself all day, boosting what’s wholesome and diminishing what’s not.

Customize the dashboard to fit your needs!

The Dharma Dashboard

Am I aware?

Is the heart radiant?

Is the body relaxed or not?

Is the mind relaxed or not?

Is the mind interested or not?

Is the mind spacious or not?

What is the mood of the mind?

Am I enjoying this moment?

Is craving present in the mind?

Is aversion present?

Is delusion present?

Are these present:

Right Attitude — Accept, observe, and learn from every experience Right Effort — Persevere in a relaxed way Right Interest — Stay curious about all experience
Right View — Everything is nature, not an “I” or a “me”