Cattāri Brahmavihārā

I almost feel silly trying to explain my rationale for this aspiration but it serves a purpose so I’ll try.

Although I’m not now in a position where I’m worried about breaking the third precept and haven’t been for some time, situations change constantly and I simply want to avoid putting myself in any potentially dangerous circumstance. That, and the fact that I want to maintain the honor and dignity of my family. If I frequently put myself in a place where I’m spending time alone with a woman more of less of my same age not only is it more likely that an attraction will develop but that people will suspect one.

I see that in writing this I’m giving voice to values that may not seem to jive with modern, Western sensibilities but just look at how much infidelity and promiscuity there is in the media and in our personal lives. It makes you wonder if we all shouldn’t tread more carefully and give the attractions between people their due instead of seeing sexual attraction as a playground and sex as a form of entertainment. Crazy, I know.