Cattāri Brahmavihārā

Somehow the pernicious idea that every session of meditation must produce some altered state of consciousness. Despite “knowing” better I still fall victim to this idea. I feel that it goes hand in hand with this general sense of fault-finding and hyper-criticism of myself and practice; a pretty ironic state of affairs when I consider that I’ve turned more intensely to the brahmaviharas again. But, this is where I am.

May I apply effort and determination to do at least one full mala round of each of the phrases meant to plant the seeds of the brahmaviharas, even if I reap only boredom in the immediate present.