It seems to me that an attitude of good cheer, of baseless positivity is almost a necessity to maintain a successful practice. This rings true even more in the light of trying domestic circumstances. Vacation is always a familial pressure cooker and it has given me endless opportunities to cultivate dana, khanti and karuna. Still, in the down times it can be easy to let a slackening of effort and dip in energy turn into a dour brooding.
So when I see the mind turning sour I have been trying to brighten it. Initially with a smile and then by reflecting on the Buddha and other beings on the path. What is the source of their happiness? Isn’t it available to me? What is the love that convinced the Lord Buddha to turn towards the world and teach for the benefit of gods and men?
Cattāri Brahmavihārā 
typo? ” It seems to me that an attitude of food cheer, of baseless positivity is …” or ‘good cheer’
By: Nicholas on 07/13/2016
at 9:34 pm
Sure looks like a typo. Auto correct. Thanks for reading.
By: Upāsaka on 07/13/2016
at 9:42 pm