I do not seem to find sufficient emphasis on morality in the practice. Many people feel shy of speaking about 'morality'. May be they fear they will sound conventional and rigid if they talk about morality.
Morality is a new fad.
It has been an old conventional history where people lie, kill, cheat and deceive. An old view of the world, where we do not 'trust' others, not even ourselves.
Unfortunately, it seems uncommon to love with dignity (people find a lot of 'pride' in restraining and cutting off relationships, sometimes that is the only way they know to maintain their 'dignity').
Loving is the simpler way:)
It is a journey of understanding, and putting to practice the loving kindness that is possible when one intends no harm. One practices with discretion; knowing and differentiating between acts that are harmful to oneself (and others), and acts (of mind, body and speech) that are beneficial for oneself (and thus, others).
At this point, I do not find it surprising that in the chant for metta, they have included a stanza that mention “may no one deceive another …”.
It is only when we practice the precepts (i.e. do not lie - nah, not even to ourselves) that the journey begins, and it is with the Truth that the suffering ends.
Defilements, as they deplete, the Samadhi become deeper and stronger.
More capable of meditative effort, of meditative concentration seeping in daily activities – in each activity. One becomes a beautiful translation of meditation, performing each activity with a base of a loving heart. Becoming honest in work and ethical. Abiding by the universal laws of dhamma: practicing right speech, right livelihood, giving dana, committed, sincere and caring for one's family.
Defilements deplete when one can ‘work’ with them and get rid of them by not giving in to old habit patterns in our daily activities. Step by step, meeting the same moment with a different 'mind' with each breath, renewed, meet again:)
A more ‘aware’ mind, a better, more loving and healthier mind. Every moment mind keeps coming out of ‘patterns’ and constructs when we enter each moment with the practice of Samadhi*-
In each activity the same kind of purity and calm (state of mind/concentration) as one is capable of when in ‘sitting meditation, strong practice.
I made mistakes. Time to love yourself even more. Wake up, get up, dust yourself if need be and apply understanding again. Renew morality - it works!
*Samadhi in Vipassana is a very aware state. A tranquil mind with elements of joy and penetrating deep awareness.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Tough Women
There are a few things one feels one can not get enough of. Like attention.
:)
Learning and shedding weight of delusion, I discover scope for so much more learning. (Glad to discover this at each juncture.)
Problems become pointers, and as I leave my old-self, I feel better
to not be deluded anymore, to not 'want' anymore. To not be a 'woman' anymore.
I do not seem to be relating to the gaze of men, to the slights and the praise, to the attention and the passion, as if none of these things are of central concern. I can talk to people without feeling much about their gender. Had been such for a very long time, but as one practices one needs to be mindful of the 'matter'.
I am surprised how I was such a naive, ignoramus, and deluded!
When did my conceit regarding 'gender' leave me?? ... it left such a big hole behind, and a breath of fresh air ;)
:)
Learning and shedding weight of delusion, I discover scope for so much more learning. (Glad to discover this at each juncture.)
Problems become pointers, and as I leave my old-self, I feel better
to not be deluded anymore, to not 'want' anymore. To not be a 'woman' anymore.
I do not seem to be relating to the gaze of men, to the slights and the praise, to the attention and the passion, as if none of these things are of central concern. I can talk to people without feeling much about their gender. Had been such for a very long time, but as one practices one needs to be mindful of the 'matter'.
I am surprised how I was such a naive, ignoramus, and deluded!
When did my conceit regarding 'gender' leave me?? ... it left such a big hole behind, and a breath of fresh air ;)
Thursday, January 20, 2011
In the End
Just read someone’s blog, and drew on my fake repository of ‘faith’ and ‘energy’ to write this down.
I call it a fake repository, because nothing is actually there. No energy enthusiasm is there until my minds 'makes' it up - give it the direction u see
Lol
I was seeing thus:
In the end (death) nothing remains, if there is nothing in the process ‘now’, if you are knowing now and giving way to old habit patterns to come and go silently, weakening the defilements of the mind each time I don’t indulge greed, pain or passion
Today for a few minutes my mind was distracted, I saw how defilements had become my state of mind. I looked at these thoughts and felt very strange, this strong defilement - eh this is not 'me' :) eh? and let it fizzle and pass by, back to peace and clarity and further path
Looking back, how far I have come! From a mind that was constantly in turmoil, to this mind, that ‘feels’ it, if a defilement arises
A no mind is no fear-even in the end, there is nothing to cling or fear
I call it a fake repository, because nothing is actually there. No energy enthusiasm is there until my minds 'makes' it up - give it the direction u see
Lol
I was seeing thus:
In the end (death) nothing remains, if there is nothing in the process ‘now’, if you are knowing now and giving way to old habit patterns to come and go silently, weakening the defilements of the mind each time I don’t indulge greed, pain or passion
Today for a few minutes my mind was distracted, I saw how defilements had become my state of mind. I looked at these thoughts and felt very strange, this strong defilement - eh this is not 'me' :) eh? and let it fizzle and pass by, back to peace and clarity and further path
Looking back, how far I have come! From a mind that was constantly in turmoil, to this mind, that ‘feels’ it, if a defilement arises
A no mind is no fear-even in the end, there is nothing to cling or fear
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Older Versions of 'Peace'
So Truth is nature, nature is manifested, yet what is obvious escapes us blah blah
What I would like to share is that we understand the same stuff in greater depth when we actually sit still for elongated time, piercing the shooting pain in the knees and tie down the thought rider-the mind
This one is about peace, what I thought then and Now
Peace I thought was 'calmness', I now understand it as 'detachment'
Peace I thought was 'happiness', I now understand it as 'wisdom'
Peace I understood as a wholesome 'quality', I know understand it as an 'Outcome'
What I would like to share is that we understand the same stuff in greater depth when we actually sit still for elongated time, piercing the shooting pain in the knees and tie down the thought rider-the mind
This one is about peace, what I thought then and Now
Peace I thought was 'calmness', I now understand it as 'detachment'
Peace I thought was 'happiness', I now understand it as 'wisdom'
Peace I understood as a wholesome 'quality', I know understand it as an 'Outcome'
Friday, January 7, 2011
Not in Things
When mind settles in
settles in and of itself
Overlooking things
from above
Gratitude
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=158AWXhDdZI&feature=related
settles in and of itself
Overlooking things
from above
Gratitude
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=158AWXhDdZI&feature=related
For Bruce
Dance is the mystic,
or is mystic the dance?
Wonder and wish ...
but dont think enlightenment is by chance!
Sing a song, if the song takes you there,
song becomes a song, when the 'self' is not there!
The mystic of now, the mystics of lore
mystic of future ...mystics from before
Not knowing each other ...
they knew the same thing!
For the one gone forth (Bruce, my friend)
the heart does sing :)
Bruce lives in North Carolina, a dear friend. Today I was inspired to write something down and somehow, I wanted to dedicate it to a friend I havent met in my life.
One of the traits you will notice while developing metta is that you will feel outbursts of joys, even for strangers, new people, people you havent met...I havent met Bruce. But I have read about this fellow traveller.
Popular Metta Expression in English and Pali (for directing thoughts)
This is what should be done
By one who is skilled in goodness,
And who knows the path of peace:
... Wishing: In gladness and in safety,
May all beings be at ease.
Karaṇīyam-
atthakusalena yaṃ
taṃ santaṃ padaṃ abhisamecca
... Sukhino vā khemino hontu
sabbe sattā bhavantu sukhitattā
Whatever living beings there may be;
Whether they are weak or strong, omitting none,
The great or the mighty,
medium, short or small,
Ye keci pāṇa bhūtatthi
tasā vā thāvarā vā anavasesā
Dīghā vā ye mahantā vā
majjhamā rassakāṇukathūlā
The seen and the unseen,
Those living near and far away,
Those born and to-be-born —
May all beings be at ease!
Diṭṭhā vā yeva addiṭṭhā
ye ca dūre vasanti avidūre
Bhūtā vā sambhavesī vā
sabbe sattā bhavantu sukhitattā
Let none deceive another,
Or despise any being in any state.
Let none through anger or ill-will
Wish harm upon another.
Na paro paraṃ nikubbetha
nātimaññetha katthaci naṃ kañci
Byārosanā paṭighasaññā
nāññamaññassa dukkhamiccheyya
Even as a mother protects with her life
Her child, her only child,
So with a boundless heart
Should one cherish all living beings;
Mātā yathā niyaṃ puttaṃ āyusā
ekaputtamanurakkhe
Evampi sabbabhūtesū
mānasaṃ bhāvaye aparimānaṃ
Radiating kindness over the entire world
Spreading upwards to the skies,
And downwards to the depths;
Outwards and unbounded,
Freed from hatred and ill-will.
Mettaṃ ca sabbalokasmiṃ
mānasaṃ bhāvaye aparimānaṃ
Uddhaṃ adho ca tiriyañca
asambādhaṃ
averaṃ asapattaṃ
Whether standing or walking, seated or lying down
Free from drowsiness,
One should sustain this recollection.
This is said to be the sublime abiding....[40]
Tiṭṭhaṃ caraṃ nisinno vā sayāno
vā yāvatassa vigatamiddho
Etaṃ satiṃ adhiṭṭheyya
brahmametaṃ vihāraṃ idhamāhu....[41]
or is mystic the dance?
Wonder and wish ...
but dont think enlightenment is by chance!
Sing a song, if the song takes you there,
song becomes a song, when the 'self' is not there!
The mystic of now, the mystics of lore
mystic of future ...mystics from before
Not knowing each other ...
they knew the same thing!
For the one gone forth (Bruce, my friend)
the heart does sing :)
Bruce lives in North Carolina, a dear friend. Today I was inspired to write something down and somehow, I wanted to dedicate it to a friend I havent met in my life.
One of the traits you will notice while developing metta is that you will feel outbursts of joys, even for strangers, new people, people you havent met...I havent met Bruce. But I have read about this fellow traveller.
Popular Metta Expression in English and Pali (for directing thoughts)
This is what should be done
By one who is skilled in goodness,
And who knows the path of peace:
... Wishing: In gladness and in safety,
May all beings be at ease.
Karaṇīyam-
atthakusalena yaṃ
taṃ santaṃ padaṃ abhisamecca
... Sukhino vā khemino hontu
sabbe sattā bhavantu sukhitattā
Whatever living beings there may be;
Whether they are weak or strong, omitting none,
The great or the mighty,
medium, short or small,
Ye keci pāṇa bhūtatthi
tasā vā thāvarā vā anavasesā
Dīghā vā ye mahantā vā
majjhamā rassakāṇukathūlā
The seen and the unseen,
Those living near and far away,
Those born and to-be-born —
May all beings be at ease!
Diṭṭhā vā yeva addiṭṭhā
ye ca dūre vasanti avidūre
Bhūtā vā sambhavesī vā
sabbe sattā bhavantu sukhitattā
Let none deceive another,
Or despise any being in any state.
Let none through anger or ill-will
Wish harm upon another.
Na paro paraṃ nikubbetha
nātimaññetha katthaci naṃ kañci
Byārosanā paṭighasaññā
nāññamaññassa dukkhamiccheyya
Even as a mother protects with her life
Her child, her only child,
So with a boundless heart
Should one cherish all living beings;
Mātā yathā niyaṃ puttaṃ āyusā
ekaputtamanurakkhe
Evampi sabbabhūtesū
mānasaṃ bhāvaye aparimānaṃ
Radiating kindness over the entire world
Spreading upwards to the skies,
And downwards to the depths;
Outwards and unbounded,
Freed from hatred and ill-will.
Mettaṃ ca sabbalokasmiṃ
mānasaṃ bhāvaye aparimānaṃ
Uddhaṃ adho ca tiriyañca
asambādhaṃ
averaṃ asapattaṃ
Whether standing or walking, seated or lying down
Free from drowsiness,
One should sustain this recollection.
This is said to be the sublime abiding....[40]
Tiṭṭhaṃ caraṃ nisinno vā sayāno
vā yāvatassa vigatamiddho
Etaṃ satiṃ adhiṭṭheyya
brahmametaṃ vihāraṃ idhamāhu....[41]
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Inhaling Wisdom
I had one of those Duh! moments. Superficially I might smile about it, but internally speaking I am still feeling like I am one step away from safety, walking on a tight rope. Thats probably why I am writing this -keep it to the fore, not to trample this beautiful insight or 'thought' with other mundane realizations.
Benefits and motive of meditations is a usual theme, mind trying to justify and be on track.
With meditative detachment and goodness it is easy to win friends, take over and turn around loss making projects, and stupid manuscripts. Its good to learn to mediate when you are young, so that instead of retaining regrets with growing experiences, you actually use this experience, the time you have (you seem to have ample of it when you are young) to refine your fortitude and morality ... and similar stuff. Then
Duh!
Meditation is actually meant for something larger. Look at the monk, letting go, letting go each moment. S/he is using each moment as s/he progresses towards death in not assimilation (of material things, beautiful wife, brilliant kids), but in letting go.
How stupid will it be, to learn meditation and still be bent on accumulation?
Benefits and motive of meditations is a usual theme, mind trying to justify and be on track.
With meditative detachment and goodness it is easy to win friends, take over and turn around loss making projects, and stupid manuscripts. Its good to learn to mediate when you are young, so that instead of retaining regrets with growing experiences, you actually use this experience, the time you have (you seem to have ample of it when you are young) to refine your fortitude and morality ... and similar stuff. Then
Duh!
Meditation is actually meant for something larger. Look at the monk, letting go, letting go each moment. S/he is using each moment as s/he progresses towards death in not assimilation (of material things, beautiful wife, brilliant kids), but in letting go.
How stupid will it be, to learn meditation and still be bent on accumulation?
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