Cattāri Brahmavihārā

Posted by: Michael | 02/25/2015

Wait a Minute (Literally)

Even when someone I have helped,
Or in whom I have placed great hopes
Mistreats me very unjustly,
I will view that person as a true spiritual teacher.

For better or worse, my life had lately given me ample opportunities to work with the verse above. In light of yesterday’s post and others before it I know I should be grateful for the chance to practice and am inclining my heart there (there is now at least a grain of gratitude too build upon). Nonetheless, it is still difficult at times to see the negative reactions, words and behaviors of someone you are close to as a result of your own failings and, ultimately, their own attempt to manage suffering. In all such situations compassion should be the first resort when it is often completely forgotten.

Perhaps the thing that had helped the most is the notion that, if one can wait ninety seconds for an angry thought to pass out becomes possible not to act on it. Unfortunately I don’t have the source with me at present but I will try to find the study and post it. Still, from my own experimentation, this money second refractory proof has proven absolutely essential in practicing forbearance and compassion. Where I find myself today it is impossible to move immediately to compassion without feeling some kind of anger that must be restrained but the realization that I need only wait a minute and a half before the situation becomes workable had been tremendously helpful.

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Posted in Buddhism, Dhamma, Karuna, Lojong, Tibetan Buddhism | Tags: anger, compassion, patience, resentment

Posted by: Michael | 02/24/2015

Mistake-based Practice

I have been reading a book lately which discusses just how talent and skills are developed as part of my training as a postulant for the Order of Pragmatic Buddhism and have been struck by the rule that mistakes have in building or skills. The notion of bhavana as a skill to be developed I’d one that I have often encountered in the writings of Ven. Ajahn Thanissaro so this reading seems especially a propos as I suppose it should be as it is part of our required reading. Despite the fact that I am less than a third of the way through the book, the notion that the “bad” sits and difficult patches are the places where progress is made I’d both comforting and inspiring. I have even begun to wonder how I might challenge myself in the practice so that it develops rather than stagnates. It is truly a new way of being my practice and the path because where I live shied away from difficulty and cling to comfort I now know that if I wish to make real progress I need to push myself just a little more every day and dispense completely with complacency. Sukhita hontu!

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Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Daily Practice, Formal Meditation | Tags: meditation, opb, skill, talent

Posted by: Michael | 02/23/2015

Living on the Kindness of Others

This vacation has opened my eyes to the kindness of others. Whether it is the offer of shelter, food or one of a myriad other kindnesses, myself and my family have been the recipients of so much in the last week. And, truth be told, it is always lie this: the kindness of a clerk, a bus driver, a nurse or a cab driver make possible the life we live and yet we rarely notice. May I begin to repay some of this income kindness today and everyday to come.

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Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Daily Practice, Dhamma, Theravada | Tags: kindness

Posted by: Michael | 02/22/2015

Confusion and Faith

Recently, I have been doing a lot out reading and pondering on the Teachings and I realize just how little I understand. Where I one thought that I had a good grasp on the teaching of kamma I now think of it as only the most rough and cursory concept possible. So what had happened? Has my practice matured into what one Zen matter regretted to as “don’t know mind? ”

Frankly, the notion of ignorance, moha or delusion being a desirable state is one which doesn’t sit well with me so I turns to take the more orthodox Theravada position that uncertainty in this regard is not a result of one’s development on the path. But, where does this faith come from? How can I be so sure that I am following the best possible course when I don’t understand the stepsthat comprise it?

My only answer is to potent to the real changes in my own behavior as peo positions that the Theravada tradition and the teachings of the Buddha it had cariya faith are true in the sense that they are effective and produce the results to which they lay claim. So, under such circumstances the great I can do is to try my best to deepen myunderstanding and practice the Teachingsto the best of my ability, looking full well just how easily I can fall into error.

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Posted in Theravada, Zen | Tags: confusion, error, faith

Posted by: Michael | 02/20/2015

The Results of Generosity

51. “Is it possible, Lord, to see the visible results of generosity?”
And the Lord said: “Yes, it is possible to see the visible results of generosity.
The giver, the generous one, is liked and dear to many. This is a visible result of generosity.
The good and wise follow him. This is a visible result of generosity.
A good reputation concerning him spreads about. This also is a visible result of generosity.
Again, in whatever company he enters, be it nobles, Brahmins, householders or recluses, he enters with confidence and is untroubled. This is a visible result of giving.
And finally, the giver, the generous one, after death is reborn in heaven. This is a result to be seen hereafter.

Anguttara Nikaya III.38

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

Posted by: Michael | 02/19/2015

Visiting My Father

AN 2.136:

Bhikkhus, on account of the wrong behaviour towards two, the not learned foolish man destroys himself, becomes blameable and blamed by the wise, accures much demerit. Who are the two? They are mother and father.

Bhikkhus, on account of the right behaviour towards two, the learned Great Man does not destroy himself, does not become blameable and praised by the wise, accures much merit. Who are the two? They are mother and father.

Visiting my father today and I was lucky enough to find these verses.

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Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Daily Practice, Dhamma, Parenting, Theravada | Tags: father, filial piety, mother, parents

Posted by: Michael | 02/18/2015

Fear and Traveling

Yesterday was spent almost entirely in transit as my family and I attempted to make our way from frigid NYC to balmy Florida. After a cancelled flight from LaGuardia we ended up traveling to Newark to take a flight which got us into Ft. Lauderdale at 10pm-almost 12 hours after our first flight was due to take off. And, then I rented a car to drive two hours north to where are staying. All of which is to say that I have a good excuse for not posting yesterday.

But the real point of my post today is more or less an acknowledgement of my own fears of flying and the power of vipassana to lay it bare. You seee, over the years I have not practiced overmuch with the methods of the popular vipassana schools (i.e., he Mahasi or Goenka methods) and my reasons for this have to do only with my ow weakness, not any idea that they are ineffective. In fact, the method of constant mentl noting of all phenomena is a practice that I admire greatly and to which I would aspire but ne that I have believed is best practiced (if only initially) in retreat. Still, it may be a long while until I have such an opportunity and last night’s incredibly turbulent flight brought home to me the fact that we need to strive while we can. And, strive I did to be aware and note the fear, the absence of fear, the anger, the sleepiness, etc. Now, I obviously did not reach any great depths of insight but even the meager amont of concentration I was able to muster was salve enough to unburden my heart and free the mind. That said, I think the methods of the vipassana acariyas and Sayadaws deserve another, closer look. Sabbe satta sukhitaa hontu!

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Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Dhamma, Theravada, Vipassana | Tags: acariya, fear, sayadaw, travel, vipassana

Posted by: Michael | 02/16/2015

Giving without Hope of Reward

Last Thursday night I was blessed to be able to attend the regularly scheduled class and Dhamma talk by one of my main teachers who had just returned from retreat at Wat Metta. The theme of the class and the talk was about developing our generosity and the three factors which determine how beneficial a gift will be. In short, if I am remembering correctly, they are the purity of the donor, the purity of the recipient and the gift itself. Despite my resistance this makes sense because we only have a finite number of things to give and, even in the car of our time, it is certainly limited as well.

So in the Teachings of the Buddha or would seem that a true act of generosity is one given with a mind of love that seeks the benefit of the receiver, is either food, medicament, shelter or another material necessity and if given to someone dedicated to the pursuit of purity. What then of our homeless friends? What then of victims of abuse, war and natural disasters? Should we refrain from giving them gifts in order to maximize our own benefit?

When it’s started explicitly like this it seems utterly ridiculous so, having some familiarity with the Teachings and the Lord Buddha, I assume the error is one of understanding and the fault is my own. Surely we should help in these cases and whether we see these acts as expressions of compassionate action or dana parami is, to me at least, immaterial. So, maybe the homeless man to whom I gave a dollar this morning wasn’t the ideal recipient and maybe my gift of money was not a truly worthy gift but hit much better it is to view this as an act of karuna parami than to have never given at all.

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Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Dana, Dhamma, Karuna, Theravada | Tags: charity, dana, donor, giving, karuna, parami

Posted by: Michael | 02/15/2015

A Refuge for the Mind

46. This intent concentration on in-and-out breathing, if cultivated and developed, is something peaceful and excellent, something perfect in itself and a pleasant way of living also.

Not only that, it dispels evil thoughts that have arisen and makes them vanish in a moment.

It is just as when, in the last month of the hot season, the dust and dirt fly up and suddenly a great rain lays it and makes it settle in a moment.

Samyutta Nikaya V.321

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Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Dhamma, Theravada | Tags: Anapanasati, mindfulness

Posted by: Michael | 02/14/2015

Handle with Care

I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned it before but I have been having a rough time of it with my formal, seated meditation practices lately. Lots of striving, pushing and doubt. Between worrying that I’m not concentrating enough on the breath, on metta, on the meditation word and worrying about what it is that I should be spending my time cultivating (should I do metta now? contemplation of impermanence? how about non-judgmental awareness?) I’m surprised I’ve actually managed to say in my seat. But, fortunately, I have and today as I was struggling to stay with the breath the craziest thought came to me: everything I practice, everything I do should be an expression of love and compassion.

Anapanasati magically becomes karuna bhavana the minute I start getting down on myself. Contemplating impermanence becomes an opportunity to realize how we all share n suffering of separation and a chance to handle ourselves and others with care. And really, handling with care and overcoming sufferings what this entire Path is about, isn’t it? How silly of me to forget and how certain I am that I will find myself needing a reminder once more soon enough.

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Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Dhamma, Dukkha, Karuna, Theravada | Tags: compassion, handle with care, karuna, suffering