Cattāri Brahmavihārā

This morning as I prepared myself and, later, the kids for the day I noticed that it was steadily raining. I didn’t make too much of it but in the back of my mind the seed of aversion was taking root and by the time I reached my daughter’s school I was not only drenched but completely loathing the rain and being wet. I was surprised by the strength of my reaction to the rain and the sensations but I had just enough presence of mind to avert to the aversion but the kamma was too strong and my practice too weak to fabricate any wholesome response or perception.

So, what’s the point in writing about this apparent failure? Well, simply to point out that this is exactly where my practice should be taking place and, incidentaly, my awareness of the aversion was a success if we are to label it at all. Last night’s Dhamma talk at DNYMC was great as it was about just this type of practice and has prompted me to take a closer look at what I am doing with my mind off the cushion.