The good renounce (attachment for) everything.
The virtuous do not prattle with a yearning for pleasures.
The wise show no elation or depression
when touched by happiness or sorrow.
Dhammapada 6.83
Posted by: Michael | 12/18/2020
No Elation or Depression
Posted in Buddha, Buddha Vacana, Buddhism, Dhamma, Theravada
Posted by: Michael | 12/17/2020
Meeting Adversity with a Smile
I’ve been reflecting quite bit on the need to develop a will so strong that only death will separate it from its end. Of course, my ultimate inspiration is Lord Buddha’s declaration under the Bodhi tree that he would not relent until he had attained liberation although I have very far to go before I feel I could make a similar asseveration.
Be that as it may, I have been coming to appreciate the power of will and the necessity of developing it to the degree that, once set on its resolve, it becomes unshakeable. Of course, the issue then becomes ensuring that one’s goals are properly set but that’s where samma-ditthi (Right View) comes in.
Yesterday I watched the series Alone as part of my commitment to learn more survival skills and I came to realize that mind set had as much to do with survival as bushcraft skills. Until one’s spirit is broken there is almost no limit to what the body an endure. As a case in point, one of the contestants, Callie, somehow managed put forth joyous effort, laugh and smile as she wasted away and her toes began to blacken from frostbite. In many ways her example speaks of a deeper strength than any of the others I saw on the show and is something to be emulated. In fact, I am reminded of somethig Ajahn Jayasaro said (Iif I recall correctly) regarding metta and those who stay in the robes; in others, if it is all joyless effort and striving then it is unlikely that such bhikkhus will remain in the robes.
May I always meet pain and difficulty with a smile. May my spirits be buoyed by gratitude and my I always meet adversity with good cheer.
Posted in Aditthana, Buddha, Buddhism, Cheerfulness, Stoicism, Theravada | Tags: adversity, discipline
Posted by: Michael | 12/16/2020
Train in Solitude
“Whosoever is delighted in solitude is either a wild beast or a god.”
-Francis Bacon
“All that is mine, delightful and pleasing, will change and vanish.”
-Lord Buddha
If we live long enough we will all come to realize that solitude is what awaits us. All those whom we love will leave, be it by death or displeasure, and we will find ourselves alone. Yet, solitude is not purely the absence of others nor does it have to be a purely negative circumstance. In fact, to the rightly trained and tamable, there is no better set of training conditions according to the Lord Buddha. The caveat is, of course, that we have to be amenable to the training and practice with it.
At present, my wife and children are visiting her sister in New England which leaves me here alone. Truthfully, it is hard to evoke the feeling of solitude surrounded by technology but I do get a taste of it here and there. And,much like cold showers and 6am runs in 30 degree weather, every little bit helps.
May we train in solitude and put every situation to use in our pursuit of the Dhamma.
Posted in Anicca, Buddha, Buddha Vacana, Buddhism, Dhamma, Theravada | Tags: Francis Bacon, longing, separation, solitude
Posted by: Michael | 12/15/2020
Prepare
It is sometimes so easy to forget that we stand on the edge of the abyss, both personally and collectively. For whatever reason, we’re able to divert ourselves while our house burns down around us. I now have to admit that I have been remiss and I think part of that is my changed routine in which I have not made a specific time to write here and reflect. Yes, I am meditating daily. Yes, I do still observe my precepts and the uposatha but I have also allowed myself to be taken in by the success of my business and have bee lazy about correctly framing my physical conditioning.
The more I see results from my daily physical routine and martial arts training, the more it is important to spend time cultivating metta and patikulamanasikara. The former so that I’m not forever sizing up the men I meet in daily life wondering what I would need to do to “take them” and the latter to recall that biceps and lats all rot away in the end. In some ways I wonder of t’s a case of Ajahn Chah’s proverbial salt water: can you drink salt water without it being salty?
Regardless, in this life I am still a father and husband and am preoccupied with the collapse of the world as we know it. I want to be able to provide for and protect my family as much as I can without contravening the Dhamma which is why I have been taking the opportunity to prepare spiritually, mentally and physically for a collapse that could come any day now or may wait 10, 15 or 20 years. As such, I will add this blog to my daily routine so that I do not fail to prepare my mind as well as setting aside study time for survival medicine and general survival skills as well.
May we all seek to be of service to one another and may we not neglect our own spiritual wellbeing.
Posted in asubha, Buddha, Buddhism, Daily Practice, Dana, Family Life, Theravada | Tags: collapse, conditioning, survival medicine, survivalism
Posted by: Michael | 12/07/2020
Spiritual Warrior
The longer I practice, the more I am coming to view the Path as requiring the qualities of a warrior. I know that the Lord Buddha himself came from the warrior care and often used martial analogies in his teaching and masters like Ajahn Mun have done the same so I feel that I’m not completely astray. Nonetheless, the idea of a spiritual warrior engaged in warfare with the kilesas is not one I have found to be overly common in the Western lay community. Regardless, it is something I’ll continue to work with until I find that it’s either no longer useful or has become an obstacle in itself.
Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Dhamma, Theravada | Tags: Ajahn Mun, kammatthana, spiritual Warrior
Posted by: Michael | 11/30/2020
Happy Uposatha – Stay on the Path
This way of practice
can be called the ‘Path of Power’ or the ‘Fearless Path’ through which,
the kilesas shrink away. However, we cannot cease in our efforts.
Whenever we pause along the path, the kilesas take over from there.— Ajahn Anan, Seeking Buddho
Posted in Buddhism, Dhamma, Theravada, Uposatha | Tags: ajahn anan, kile, seeking buddho, uposatha observance
Posted by: Michael | 11/22/2020
Quarantine
Well, my son tested positive for COVID on a test he took Monday and we’ve been quarantining in our tiny apartment since Thursday. It is strange though, as the rest of us keep testing negative. We’re awaiting the second round of tests for my wife and my youngest and until then we’re all stuck in here together.
Naturally, this is stressful but I am thankful for the Dhamma and the Stoics (who I view as Greco-Roman Dhammafarers) for helping me through. I am realizing ever more clearly that I really am not responsible for others and, provided I am taking good care of my intentions, i need not worry too much about them. In other words, I know I intend to do right by my family but my happiness is not dependent upon their recognition thereof. So, if I make breakfast, fold laundry and wash dishes and my wife still complains how I make her do everything, I’m not going to dispute it. It is not as if this is a request for evidence – to the contrary, it is a statement of dissatisfaction with life. And, for better or worse, that is her dilemma to resolve.
On a somewhat related note, I have found that I can reinforce my commitment to brahmacharya by reflecting on her behavior towards me. The less respectful, loving and kind she is to me the more I feel strengthened and justified in my resolve not to have sex with her. What would the point be? It wouldn’t be to help our relationship. Instead it would be purely to scratch a bestial itch.
May I bear this in mind the next time this defilement rears its ugly head. And, may we all turn our myriad disappointments into fuel for our liberation.
Posted in brahmacariya, Buddha, Buddhism, Dhamma, pañña, Stoicism, Theravada | Tags: Boethius, contentment
Posted by: Michael | 11/12/2020
Right Now
Right now, all I have to worry about is the quality of the heart in this moment. Not in some vague, pop-mindfulness was but in the sense of how I would like to be be prepared of death were to swallow me whole, right now, in this moment.
I’ve lived a life devoted to resentment, anger and disappointment; how much longer do I want that to continue? Most of the last 14 years of marriage have been about feeling slighted or sorry for myself. If I truly care for myself I need to put an end to such emotional and psychological thumb-sucking or it will never get better.
Kindness. Forgiveness. Generosity of spirit. Compassion. These are the tools. Indignation. Anger. Hate. These are but shortcuts to perdition.
Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Confession of Fault, Daily Practice, Dhamma, Dukkha, Family Life, Forgiveness, Karuna, Metta, Theravada | Tags: generosity, kindness
Posted by: Michael | 11/09/2020
Brahmacariya
I am becoming ever more convinced that total withdrawal from sexual activity (both mental and physical) is the only way to live a life of worth. I have tried to justify using sex with my wife as a way of strengthening our relationship and keeping our family healthy but it has no discernible effect. What I can see, however, is that indulging in these sense pleasures weakens my resolve and leaves me feeling somewhat dejected and down.
I know that there is no happiness to be found here so why not do my best to escape from the clutches of sexual desire? Knowing the difficulty I’m facing I am taking a more open approach and focussing on the sense of freedom that accompanies such an undertaking rather than this idea that brahmacariya is an oppressive burden. The burden truly is being a slave to desires that can never be fulfilled but constantly whip us into a frenzy chasing mirages.
I have made a determination to forego sexual activity in mind and body for 3 months (at least until my birthday) and will decide then whether to recommit myself.
Posted in brahmacariya, Buddha, Buddhism, Dukkha, Family Life, Sila, Theravada | Tags: abstinence, celibacy, chastity, sexual continence
Posted by: Michael | 11/06/2020
Allow It to Endure
The lion’s share of my life has been dedicated to outrunning, avoiding or, at the very least, trying to explain away pain. Suffice it to say that I have yet to be successful.
I stumbled across this quote yesterday and it has been reverberating in my mind ever since. It’s no surprise, really, giving that the Lord Buddha started that patience is the highest ascetic practice but, like most things, it bears constant repeating.
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Cattāri Brahmavihārā 