Cattāri Brahmavihārā

Posted by: Michael | 12/23/2012

Mantras and Malas – Part 1

Despite not being described (to my limited knowledge at least) in the suttas, I have been drawn to mantra practice for as long as I have made any sustained attempt to practice the a way of life based on the teachings of the Buddha. Like many in the US who were not Buddhist by birth, my first contact with Buddhist religions was through Zen and Tibetan sources and the first temple I ever visited was the Village Zendo. As such, the use of mantra (in Vajrayana) and the presence of malas (in both of the aforementioned traditions) was a given.

Years later as I became more serious in my practice and grew into a more Theravadin practice I found myself trying to reconcile my continued use of malas and mantras in the face of their glaring absence in the suttas. Now, I have to be clear that my use of the term “mantra” departs somewhat from the historical meaning. I don’t attribute any particular meaning to the sounds of the mantra I’m repeating and one could question if what I’m doing even qualifies as mantra meditation. For years I have used the phrase “metta-karuna-mudita-upekkha” with my mala or while walking but have only recently began to see its benefits as a preliminary practice.

Unfortunately I don’t have the time or privacy to finish but will try to get back to this tomorrow.

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Posted in Buddhism, Daily Practice, Dhamma, Formal Meditation, Theravada | Tags: Dhamma, karuna, mala, mantra, meditation, metta, mudita, upekkha

Posted by: Michael | 12/21/2012

Happy Uposatha –

Happy uposatha! Unfortunately I’m not observing today as there are too many familial responsibilities to attend and I just don’t feel well today. Trying to bring some calm and distance to the situation and stop identifying so closely with all of these negative and unwholesomes mind states.

Right now the narrative that I’ve invested in goes as follows: woke up feeling tired and nauseous so I went upstairs and slept fitfully on the couch until 6am and started working until my wife woke up. We had a pretty vicious argument about what are plans were for the day and that set the tone. So here I am with my two year old strapped to me asleep on the R train to BK to go my son’s school for a Christmas thing.

So, my goal for this observance is just to get some perspective and take whatever time I may to cultivate some peace. Sabbe satta sabba dukkha pamuccantu.

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Posted in Buddhism, Daily Practice, Dhamma, Formal Meditation, Parenting, Theravada | Tags: argument, family, sick, uposatha

Posted by: Michael | 12/20/2012

Family Ties – A Noose and a Safety Belt

Family is a funny thing. There’s nothing novel about the thought that family ties can feel like a noose as much as a safety belt. I write in the midst of a family crisis where someone is doing damage to everyone around them and I feel obliged to step in. Interestingly, and certainly disturbingly, the force of past conditioning (call it kamma) makes it very easy for me to react negatively and that is precisely what I’ve been doing.

Because I feel the need to protect the more vulnerable parties involved I find myself slipping into a completely negative perception of the person in question. Of course, this perception is nothing more than a caricature and as insubstantial as pond scum but you would think I had never heard a word of the Dhamma from the way that I’ve been acting and speaking about the situation.

So, what do you do when your own flesh and blood puts the safety and security of your family at risk? For my part, I know that I have not handled it as well as I would have liked but at least there is the realization of this fact. Seeing this I hope to put the brakes on my aversion and act from a place of love and compassion for the afflicted, doing what is in my power to protect them and cultivating upekkha for the perpetrator.

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Posted in Dhamma | Tags: compassion, Dhamma, family, family ties, karuna, noose, protection, safety belt, upekkha

Posted by: Michael | 12/19/2012

Thank You

An anonymous comment on my recent post Tragedy and Our Children has given me pause and forced me to take a closer look at my intentions in writing this blog. It would be disingenuous to say that I write this blog solely as means of solipsistic reflection because if that were the case I would do better to journal in the privacy of a marble covered composition notebook. Instead I choose to write here everyday and run the risk that someone might actually read these posts.

Although I was initially surprised and a little hurt to see the reply at first it wasn’t long before I realized that, if not being the whole point, to receive comments on my musings and Dhamma reflections is an amazing gift. To be challenged like this, to be forced to account for one’s words seems to me a rare opportunity (if we can hold it well) to bring a sharper awareness to our conceptions about our practice and to the practice itself.

So, thank you to all who have read this and to all who have commented. You have given me gifts that it will be hard to repay and I ask that you always feel free to share your opinions and concerns about whatever I write here. I may not always agree but I will always take what you say into my heart with gratitude. Sukhi hotu!

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Posted in Buddhism, Daily Practice, Dhamma, Theravada | Tags: Dhamma, gratitude, introspection, musing, reflections, shortcomings, thanks

Posted by: Michael | 12/18/2012

Making the Most of Malaise

I woke up this morning with a stuffed nose and a mind cloudier than it’s been in a long time. All the way to Brooklyn and back I have felt as if in a dream. My eyes feel puffy, watery and prone to seal themselves off from the world at a moment’s notice. And the strangest part of all is that I felt more or less normal until we stepped out the door.

I guess the question for me is how to approach this malaise from the perspective of a Dhamma-farer. This morning, as part of my formal meditation regimen, I spent ten minutes reflecting on the preciousness of my human birth with a focus on not squandering the blessings I enjoy. And, I think that’s precisely what I need to bring to bear on this. Yes, it’s an imperfect, a sniffling, frog-throated mess blindy bouncing its way back from Broohlyn to Manhattan but this is life. All of this can be a field of merit or the ante-chamber of Hell depending on my intentions as they arise and fall with each passing moment.

May I make the most of the short time I have on this Earth. May I not squander the blessings of my life and may I cultivate kindness, compassion and charity in my every thought, word and deed. Sukhita hontu!

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Posted in Dhamma | Tags: brooklyn, commuting, comp, dhamma-farer, malaise, manhattan, sickness

Posted by: Michael | 12/17/2012

Tragedy and Our Children

I wasn’t going to comment on the recent massacre at all since I would have had nothing to offer that would honor the memory of the murdered or assuage the pain of those who have to pick up the pieces. What happened is almost beyond comprehension and my silence was the best way I knew how to address the whole tragedy. This morning, however, I awoke to a barrage of emails being sent back and forth between the various parents of my son’s classmates and was shocked by my reaction.

Of all of the emails I read, I found myself bubbling over with aversion to those which were begging and almost demanding that parents either refrain from discussing the subject with their children or to simply ask their kids not to speak about it in school. Now, why did this raise my ire? I’m sure it has something to do with this feeling that no one should tell me what to do with my kids as well as a feeling of superiority that I’ve decided I deserve due to my enlightened understanding of reality: I “know” that suffering is part and parcel of life. It therefore seems obvious to me that to hide anything from our kids or to try to manage their experience of the world beyond our apartment is futile and destined to failure. But, is it really that simple?

I’m beginning to think it’s not so neat and tidy and that, although I wouldn’t email a group of parents a similar message, I can understand the impulse. We want to protect our children and go to great lengths to shield them from scary, violent and/or sexual images that we are afraid will damage them. This is the impulse that I need to undrstand and the perception to cultivate and attend to with regard to these emails and conversations. Rather than deriding those who would attempt to rail against the inexorable truths of life why not stay true my goal of realizing the Dhamma and living a life of compassion and charity?

May we all see clearer with the light of compassion and kindness!

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Posted in Buddhism, Daily Practice, Dana, Dhamma, Metta, Parenting, Theravada | Tags: Child, children, Connecticut, Dhamma, Dharma (Buddhism), family, Home, Parent, parenting, School shooting, tragedy

Posted by: Michael | 12/17/2012

Dry Spell

There are months and years of my practice that can aptly be termed as dry. Sitting and watching my mind wander has replaced drowsiness as the dominant theme of my dry times. Nonetheless I take heart in the paramis that I am cultivating simply by staying with it and coming back again and again to the theme and, when I’m too weak for even that, bringing the mind to attention in the best way possible.

This line of reasoning is, of course, all well and good but it is a little preoccupied with becoming and getting at some time in the ineffable future. The thing that I always like to reflect on at such times is the myriad unskillful ways I could be spending my time and devoting my attention to. If nothing else it is nice to think happy thoughts and spread good will to all. Doing these practices at least give me the confidence to feel that my life is not being wasted and I would never regret it if my dying moment happened to be one I spent trying to cultivate an open and boundless heart.

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Posted in Buddhism, Daily Practice, Dhamma, Formal Meditation, Theravada | Tags: American Automobile Association, Cardiovascular Disorders, Conditions and Diseases, dry spell, health, Heart Disease, meditation, metta, no progress, pleasant abiding, regret, Sleep, Somnolence, United States

Posted by: Michael | 12/15/2012

Resentment?

Today was the long awaited day-long retreat which I felt would be great to get myy concetration back on track and to otherwise heelp me to live a life more in harmony with the Dhamma. It was to start at 10am on the West Side so I figured I would need to leave at around quarter after to get there in time. My wife was still in bed at 9:15, 9:30 and even now at 10:30 so I think my chances have come and gone so how do I feel?

I would be lying to say that I was untouched by feelings of anger and resentment having scheduled this long ago with my wife. Nonetheless, where does that get me? We see the dramatic and tragic results of pent up hostility and aggression everyday in the news and on the streets, buses and trains of our hometowns. So, yes, resentment arises and I feel waves of anger slip over me from time to time.

It’s particularly apropos that today’s Dhammapada chapter is the Kodhavagga. May we all be as true charioteers and not simply reins holders!

221. One should give up anger, renounce pride, and overcome all fetters. Suffering never befalls him who clings not to mind and body and is detached.

222. He who checks rising anger as a charioteer checks a rolling chariot, him I call a true charioteer. Others only hold the reins.

223. Overcome the angry by non-anger; overcome the wicked by goodness; overcome the miser by generosity; overcome the liar by truth.

224. Speak the truth; yield not to anger; when asked, give even if you only have a little. By these three means can one reach the presence of the gods.

225. Those sages who are inoffensive and ever restrained in body, go to the Deathless State, where, having gone, they grieve no more.

226. Those who are ever vigilant, who discipline themselves day and night, and are ever intent upon Nibbana — their defilements fade away.

227. O Atula! Indeed, this is an ancient practice, not one only of today: they blame those who remain silent, they blame those who speak much, they blame those who speak in moderation. There is none in the world who is not blamed.

228. There never was, there never will be, nor is there now, a person who is wholly blamed or wholly praised.

229. But the man whom the wise praise, after observing him day after day, is one of flawless character, wise, and endowed with knowledge and virtue.

230. Who can blame such a one, as worthy as a coin of refined gold? Even the gods praise him; by Brahma, too, is he praised.

231. Let a man guard himself against irritability in bodily action; let him be controlled in deed. Abandoning bodily misconduct, let him practice good conduct in deed.

232. Let a man guard himself against irritability in speech; let him be controlled in speech. Abandoning verbal misconduct, let him practice good conduct in speech.

233. Let a man guard himself against irritability in thought; let him be controlled in mind. Abandoning mental misconduct, let him practice good conduct in thought.

234. The wise are controlled in bodily action, controlled in speech and controlled in thought. They are truly well-controlled.

Source: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/dhp/dhp.17.budd.html

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Posted in Buddhism, Daily Practice, Dhamma, Metta, Parenting, Theravada | Tags: anger, Blame, Brahma, Dhammapada, gaming, human-rights, letting-go, People, politics, quotes, relationship, religion, resentment, spirituality

Posted by: Michael | 12/14/2012

Failings

Today seems to be one where my attention is repeatedly drawn to my failings in terms of my practice. It’s interesting that of the two the weaknesses that have been pointed out to me today the one that troubles me most is my failure to be unstintingly charitable. In effect, my partner asked me if and how much we should give in bonuses and I reacted immediately with a closed heart from a fear of not having enough. Fortunately, my partner chastised me by reminding me just how hard they work for us just in the nick of time.

How is it possible that someone who wants to dedicate their life to th Dhamma, to giving and compassion for the suffering olf others can suddenly act like the most cold-hearted of Scrooges? Well, I think it hast everything to do with anatta and the fact that my practice has reached the level of rooting out defilements and that they are always just waiting there to strike. Hence the Lord’s admonition to be heedful.

And here I owe a debt of gratitude to my partner for calling me out when I told him I was feeling stingy. Luckily, because of him, I was able to overcome avarice and miserliness and give whatever he thought we should. May we all live heedfully and may we appreciate those in our lives who inspire us to live better!

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Posted in Buddhism, Daily Practice, Dana, Dhamma, Practice at Work, Theravada | Tags: Dhamma, failure, gratitude, heedfulness, miserliness, stingy

Posted by: Michael | 12/14/2012

Happy Uposatha Day – A Precious Human Life

In some ways I could easily say that today hasn’t gone so well. My observance hasn’t been anywhere near spotless due to familial obligations and a general lack of energy so I could decide to give myself an excuse to feel sorry and negative about myself and everything else. Still, it would be my choice to do so–it’s not as if I’m being forced to choose my reaction to the situation nor is my fate predetermined.

In that vein, I have found it particularly expedient to reflect on the preciousness of this human life which is so rare and hard to come by. Even with our own limited perception, it is obvious that the vast majority of beings in th world don’t have the ability to reflect on their actions in a way that allows for them to prctice dana, sila or samadhi and are therefore unable to practice the Dhamma in any real way. The preciousness of our human birth and, furthermore, our enounter with the Dhamma simply cannot be overestimated although I have always found the Lord Buddha‘s parable of the blind sea turtle incredibly poignant and apt. If you don’t mind I would like to include the sutta (Chiggala Sutta: The Hole) in full below:

“Monks, suppose that this great earth were totally covered with water, and a man were to toss a yoke with a single hole there. A wind from the east would push it west, a wind from the west would push it east. A wind from the north would push it south, a wind from the south would push it north. And suppose a blind sea-turtle were there. It would come to the surface once every one hundred years. Now what do you think: would that blind sea-turtle, coming to the surface once every one hundred years, stick his neck into the yoke with a single hole?”

“It would be a sheer coincidence, lord, that the blind sea-turtle, coming to the surface once every one hundred years, would stick his neck into the yoke with a single hole.”

“It’s likewise a sheer coincidence that one obtains the human state. It’s likewise a sheer coincidence that a Tathagata, worthy & rightly self-awakened, arises in the world. It’s likewise a sheer coincidence that a doctrine & discipline expounded by a Tathagata appears in the world. Now, this human state has been obtained. A Tathagata, worthy & rightly self-awakened, has arisen in the world. A doctrine & discipline expounded by a Tathagata appears in the world.

“Therefore your duty is the contemplation, ‘This is stress… This is the origination of stress… This is the cessation of stress.’ Your duty is the contemplation, ‘This is the path of practice leading to the cessation of stress.'”

So, you see, even in the seemingly worst of times we have an pportunity which is hard won and hard to come by and we would do well to make the most of it. Truly, in this human birth and having met the Dhamma, there is simply no reason to give in to despair. May we make islands of ourselves and realize the truth of the Dhamma in this very life!