Cattāri Brahmavihārā

You may recall I recently posted on the subject of contentment and wondered out loud just what it might be and how I could get some of it. Since then the reflection has been bubbling away on the back burner and has been coiring my perceptions. So when I awoke this morning and finally got to the cushion it seemed to me that what was lacking in my attitude was an appreciation of the opportunities before me. In fact, in absence of a pronoujced and purposefully cultivated gratitude for the precious opportunity of this life my default approach is one of aversion, cynicism and sarcastic disdain. Certainly not a prescription for happiness.

So I spent most of today’s first sit repeating phrases of thanks and gratitude and although there was no deep samadhi I am thankful for the way it realigned my view and softened my heart. I seem to have been born an inveterate curmudgeon and it is only by remedial heart training that I can hope to someday make an end to this mass of suffering through wisdom and clear seeing. For now though may I purify my heart and perfect my conduct. I think that will be enough for this lifetime at least. Sabbe satte sukhitaa hontu.