Cattāri Brahmavihārā

I have decided to take part in Treeleaf’s Jukai and Ango retreat as a way of formalizing my commitment to the training. Not that it needs to be said, but doing so doesn’t abrogate or change my primarily Theravadin views, it’s just that I find Shikantaza to be particularly helpful to just sit with what is and put me into contact with my actual feelings and the dukkha that I often try to manage through meditation and other cultivation practices. There’s no escape when there’s no real technique. It’s just me and dukkha. Or, better yet, it’s just dukkha, anicca and anatta.

As a part of the Ango I will be practicing brahmacariya (abstinence from all sexual activity) for the next 90 days. I have never been able to go that long but, as my life circumstances begin to shift away from the home life, I simply see no better way to prepare for death and not squander the precious opportunity I have.