The past few days have witnessed a broken precept, the continual dissolution of a marriage and a reappraisal of the way in which I have been practicing. In short, if I’m unable to keep my precepts unblemished at the level of Pañca Sila, then there’s no point in adding additional precepts or pretending to be capable of brahmacariya. As such, I’m going back to basics.
For now, I’m renouncing any higher, bodhisattvic aims and practices until I can keep the 5 Precepts purely for at least a year. After 3, if I live that long, I will reevaluate where I’m at and decide if I should take up more “Mahayana-style” practices. Until then buddho and other practices as needed to counteract the kilesas.
Cattāri Brahmavihārā 
I have noticed this with myself as well. While trying to keep the 8 precepts, I caught myself lying a few times, and I decided I need to focus more on the 5 percepts first. Hopefully you will find success in your ethical conduct.
By: Anonymous on 07/07/2018
at 8:55 pm