Cattāri Brahmavihārā

I made a quick search in the Canon this morning and online for sutras that cover the topic of rest and came up with very little. Perhaps it’s because the training of the mind doesn’t require the same kind of rest that the body does or perhaps I’m just looking in the wrong places.

As I think about it, I recall that engaging in mettā or breath awareness (without jhana) can lead to weariness but I will need to look to see if this was Buddhavacana or in a secondary source. Perhaps it’s more of a question of changing one’s kammatthana more so than taking a break from all forms of mental training. Besides, whether it’s body or mind, it seems pretty clear that a state of pure rest can never exist.

What got me thinking about all of this is my daily routine of conditioning. I am realizing that I need to take at least two days off a week and have chosen the weekend to do so. I will probably just up my daily step goals on weekend days but will forego the more rigorous training. Similarly, when the practice is dry I should feel no guilt about finding a more inspiring object.