Today seems to be one where my attention is repeatedly drawn to my failings in terms of my practice. It’s interesting that of the two the weaknesses that have been pointed out to me today the one that troubles me most is my failure to be unstintingly charitable. In effect, my partner asked me if and how much we should give in bonuses and I reacted immediately with a closed heart from a fear of not having enough. Fortunately, my partner chastised me by reminding me just how hard they work for us just in the nick of time.
How is it possible that someone who wants to dedicate their life to th Dhamma, to giving and compassion for the suffering olf others can suddenly act like the most cold-hearted of Scrooges? Well, I think it hast everything to do with anatta and the fact that my practice has reached the level of rooting out defilements and that they are always just waiting there to strike. Hence the Lord’s admonition to be heedful.
And here I owe a debt of gratitude to my partner for calling me out when I told him I was feeling stingy. Luckily, because of him, I was able to overcome avarice and miserliness and give whatever he thought we should. May we all live heedfully and may we appreciate those in our lives who inspire us to live better!
Cattāri Brahmavihārā 
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