In the course of the last two days I have felt a visceral despair unlike any other I can remember. Although I can attribute some of it to unwholesome acts they were (or appeared to be) trifling in comparison to the emotional turmoil for which they served as portals into my heart and mind. Still, as my teacher says, there’s no telling which of our actions are going to come to fruition or which will be more kammically potent so when we let our heedfulness slip we can’t be too surprised by what comes walking through the door. Thankfully, the Dhamma is my refuge and after sitting and recollecting gratitude and compassion and chanting the Dhammacakkapavattana sutta I felt much better. Still, let this be a lesson: jut because I’m not breaking a precept doesn’t mean I can lose myself in heedlessness.
Heedfulness is the path to the Deathless. Heedlessness is the path to death. The heedful die not. The heedless are as if dead already.-Dhammapada, v.21
Related articles
- Foundations of Buddhism – some notes (buddhismnow.com)
- The Importance of Esala Poya (dzone.lk)
Cattāri Brahmavihārā 
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