Cattāri Brahmavihārā

Posted by: Michael | 03/19/2015

Happy Uposatha – Making an Effort

Someone yesterday I realized that I was spending so much of my time devoted to things other than the practice that it would be foolish to expect any great results (and, yes, I am practicing for the result of ending dukkha).

Looking at my life it may not seem that I have an abundance of time to do much beyond work and child-rearing and that may be true in some sense. And yet those moments when I do have time, such as a train ride or a half an hour before bed are usually spent doing anything but the practice. I can hear the familiar voices now reassuring me that I’m too tired and I already meditated enough today. But I’d it true and does it help?

How can I expect to make progress without really putting in the effort? Obviously there is a need for rest but I feel that I have been making choices that don’t lead to lasting happiness or development a little too often. May I learn to strive out of love and compassion for myself. Happy Uposatha!

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Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Daily Practice, Dhamma, Theravada, Uposatha | Tags: effort, energy, samma vayamo, striving, viriya

Posted by: Michael | 03/18/2015

How to Meditate with Buddho – Phra Ajahn Thate

When you meditate on buddho, be patient. Don’t be in a hurry. Be confident in your meditation word and use mindfulness to keep the mind with its buddho. Your confidence is what will make the mind firm and unwavering, able to let go of all its doubts and uncertainties. The mind will gather in on its meditation word, and mindfulness will keep it solely with buddho at all times. Whether you sit, stand, walk, lie down, or whatever work you do, mindfulness will be alert to nothing but buddho. If your mindfulness is still weak, and your techniques still few, you have to hold on to buddho as your foundation. Otherwise your meditation won’t progress; or even if it does progress, it won’t have any foundation.

For concentration to be strong, the mind has to be resolute. When mindfulness is strong and the mind resolute, you decide that this is what you want: “If I can’t catch hold ofbuddho, or see buddho in my heart, or get the mind to stay put solely with buddho, I won’t get up from my meditation. Even if my life will end, I don’t care.” When you do this, the mind will gather into one faster than you realize it. The meditation wordbuddho, or whatever it is that may have been bothering or perplexing you, will vanish in the flash of an eye. Even your body, which you’ve been attached to for so long, won’t appear to you. All that remains is the heart — simple awareness — cool, calm, and at ease.

Phra Ajaan Thate Desaransi

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Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Dhamma, Formal Meditation, Meditation Word, Theravada | Tags: 24 Ways, Alice Springs, Anapanasati, Breathing, Buddhist meditation, Click (2006 film), Doctor of Philosophy, meditation, mindfulness, Mindfulness (psychology)

Posted by: Michael | 03/17/2015

The Wish to Be Happy

Two of my most influential teachers have often equated the wish to be happy with metta and for a long time I don’t think I understood the connection. I mean, what did wanting to be happy have to do with metta, in a real sense. And, although I still have some doubt regarding this teaching I saw, quite clearly, the movement towards pleasure as an expression of the desire to be happy. Granted, this is most often a movement towards an unskillful form of sense pleasure but the kernel of self-love is there albeit in need of education and guidance. Su, my question is: can I begin to see my desire to be happy as a cue to develop skillful forms of pleasure as well as the basis for relating to others rather than as yet one more example of a way in which I have failed myself, society, the Dhamma and the Buddha?

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Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Daily Practice, Dhamma, Metta, Sensual Desire, Theravada | Tags: Happiness, sensual pleasure

Posted by: Michael | 03/16/2015

An Accidental Gift

It seems that I lost my wrist mala this weekend and, like it or not, I tend to get very attached to them. Last night I searched and then searched again in pockets, bags and books and crannies hoping to find out but can’t up with nothing. Normally I would briefly struggle with the loud and then quickly but a replacement even though I have a few others I could use instead. Of course I would convince myself that it was money well spent because it’s ostensibly for the Dhamma. And yet they’re is always this niggling feeling that I’m spending money that I could put to better use since I already have at least two other malas I could use. Small stuff, to be sure but drop by drop a bucket is filled.

So it came to me this morning that, rather than seeing it as simply a loss why not rejoice that whoever may find it could possibly be inspired to learn more about it and possibly find the Dhamma. And, even if the result is not so grandiose why not not give it freely to whoever may find it, wishing them well and registering all the merit made with it through the hours it was used? And, if it happens to be returned to me as overturn happens in the cases, I will give it freely to the next person I think would want it having already made a gift of it in my heart.

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Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Dana, Dhamma, Theravada | Tags: gift, giving

Posted by: Michael | 03/15/2015

Drowsiness

74. Then the Lord said to Maha Moggallana: “Are you drowsy, Moggallana? Are you drowsy?”
“Yes, Lord.”
“Well, then, whenever the thought of laziness befalls you, pay no attention to that thought, do not dwell on it. Doing this, it is possible that it will pass.
But if, by so doing, that laziness does not pass, then you should think and reflect in your mind about the Dharma – review it in your mind as you have heard it and learned it. Doing this, it is possible that the laziness will pass.
But if, by so doing, the laziness does not pass, then you should recite the Dhamma in detail as you have heard it and learned it. Doing this, it is possible that the laziness will pass.
But if, by so doing, the laziness does not pass, then you should pull your ears and rub your limbs with the palms of your hands. Doing this, it is possible that the laziness will pass.
But if, by so doing, the laziness does not pass, then get up from your seat, and having splashed water on your face, look in all directions and gaze upward into the starry sky. Doing this, it is possible that the laziness will pass.
But if, by so doing, it does not pass, then you should firmly establish the inner perception of light – as by day, so by night; as by night, so by day. Thus with a mind that is clear and unobstructed, you should develop a radiant consciousness. Doing this, it is possible that the laziness will pass.
But if, by so doing, it still does not pass, then aware of what is in front of you and behind you, walk up and down with your senses turned inwards and your mind not straying without. Doing this, it is possible that the laziness will pass.
But if, by so doing, it still does not pass, then lie down on your right side in the lion posture with one foot on the other, mindful and clearly conscious, with the thought of rising later. After waking, you should get straight up, thinking: ‘I will not indulge in the enjoyment of lying down, reclining and sleeping.’ Train yourself like this.”

Anguttara Nikaya IV.85

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Posted in Buddha, Dhamma, Formal Meditation, Theravada | Tags: Drowsiness, hindrances

Posted by: Michael | 03/13/2015

Virtue as the Dawn of the Path

72. Just as dawn is the forerunner, the vanguard of the rising sun, so too, possession of virtue is the forerunner, the vanguard of the rising of the Noble Eightfold Path.

Samyutta Nikaya V.28

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Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Dhamma, Sila, Theravada | Tags: Anguttara Nikaya, eightfold path, virtue

Posted by: Michael | 03/12/2015

Happy Uposatha – Nekkhama Parami

When thinking of renunciation and lay practice, the Uposatha observance comes immediately to the forefront. In my own limited knowledge, it seems that the Lord recommended setting aside days of observance when one took up the renunciate precepts and spent the day in Dhamma practice and contemplation so the tradition has the the strength of scriptural support. But, perhaps even more convincing to those of a skeptical bent, I have seen great benefit for my own practice as well. Conversely, I have seen how I have handled the observance wrongly and made a complete mess of it.

Today’s post is then meant to serve as a reminder that sheet, brute force is not what is needed to observe correctly. Rather heedfulness, clarity about one’s ever-changing intentions and a true compassion for self and others seem to be the requisite qualities to undertake the Uposatha correctly. So, may I induce the eight precepts out of love and compassion and develop the wisdom that sees through the lures and shared of craving.

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Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Dhamma, Karuna, Nekkhama, Sila, Theravada, Uposatha | Tags: compassion, craving, nekkhama, renunciation

Posted by: Michael | 03/11/2015

Nekkhama and Meditation

I listened to a Dhamma talk by Ajahn Jayasaro yesterday and was impressed, as always, by its incisiveness, clarity and the server of determination he seems to exude. The subject of the talk was the paramis but the one thing that stood out most to me was how he equated formal breath practice with the development of nekkhama parami. In short, when we’re meditating we are giving up and letting go of the thoughts and other sense pleasures with which we normally occupy ourselves. I think this struck me because I have always enjoyed the challenge and bracing feeling one gets when taking up the Uposatha and pretty renunciation practices but had never thought of meditation in this way.

Of course, all of the paramis can be developed in a sitting and this is, in itself, a great source of inspiration when things are rough. Because Ifound this talk so helpful I will try to add a link in later but until then I wish you all happiness and success.

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Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Dhamma, Nekkhama, Parami, Theravada | Tags: Ajahn Jayasaro, perfection. parami

Posted by: Michael | 03/10/2015

Threefold Cleaning

69. And how is cleaning of the body threefold? Concerning this, one abandons killing, lays aside the rod and the knife; one lives gently, kindly and feeling compassion towards every living being.
One abandons stealing the property of another, whether in the jungle or the village; things not given, one does not steal.
One abandons sexual misconduct. One has no intercourse with girls under the guardianship of mother, father, brother, sister or relatives, with girls lawfully protected, already pledged to a husband, those undergoing punishment or those dressed with flowers and pledged to be married.

Anguttara Nikaya V.266

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Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Dhamma, Sila, Theravada | Tags: precepts, purification, purity, right action

Posted by: Michael | 03/09/2015

Equanimity and Coercion

There is a situation that arise this morning that I viewed as a simple mistake that could be rectified later but that my wife thought was an emergecy that necessitated me coming back from Brooklyn after spending an hour and a half doing the kids of to get my son’s contact lens and then bring it back and put it on him. Keep in mind that he can see just fine without it but we use our to strengthen his weak eye. My wife, having been under some pretty heavy stress, had threatened to cause any number of unpleasant things to take place (such as leaving the house to take him the contact and missing a large furniture delivery) if I don’t go but I really can’t justify losing another two hours of my work day so he can have a contract for three hours.

Of course there is irritation and aversion but I have a choice here and it seems to me to be too rely on equanimity as let come what may or be manipulated into doing what she wants at the expense of my other responsibilities. Sure, I suppose I could just do it but then again I have to leave early to pick him up from skateboarding anyway. Not being able to control her actions and being unwilling to change mine in a way that will hopefully south the situation posts the best approach seems to be equanimity. That is, training unmoved by the vicissitudes and cognizant of the kamma I am creating by doing so. Life. Never a simple proposition.

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Posted in Buddhism, Daily Practice, Dhamma, Theravada, Upekkha | Tags: coercion, equanimity, kamma, suffering