Cattāri Brahmavihārā

Strangely enough my alarm didn’t go off this morning and I woke up at 6:30am which is almost a full two hours after my usual wake up time. Needless to say that I didn’t get my formal meditation in. Although I was still able to get in my refuges and precepts in between making my son’s lunch and my coffee. And as I took my two minute shower I realized I didn’t have to beat myself over the head for not getting in my sitting.

I think I understood for that one moment in time that my practice shouldn’t be used as a cudgel or goading stick to keep me on the path. Rather, I can truly take joy in those times when I have the luxury to practice formally and make more of an effort to live skillfully when I off the cushion and in the fray. It’s not as if I’m only making kamma on the mat so it only makes sense to live that way. Bhavatu sabba mangalam!