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I Fold My Palms
In the stillness of the morning, before the world stirs with its ceaseless hum, I fold my palms.
Not merely as a gesture, but as a bridge – a quiet meeting of the seen and unseen, the finite and the infinite.
One Noble Intention Daily
In this whole month of November, I have aspired to follow in the footsteps of my inspiring teachers to dedicate an intention to doing a noble deed daily. Having tagged along on several of their merit-making missions, I have picked up many ingenious ideas and neat tips on how to go about it in a way that hits the right spot for the spirit within. However, as I stared at a blank new page on my notepad, I saw my mind quickly filled with many thoughts of endless possibilities.
“I Don’t Know”
When I began my journey into meditation, I learned that its purpose is to address the defilements. Unlike the common answers we often hear—attaining peace, wisdom, detachment from worldly turmoil, and ultimately, reaching the bliss of enlightenment—the essence of meditation is sweet and simple: to address the defilements.
I Will Always Be Alone
Since I began this journey 5 years ago, I have grown to understand more about myself and how I relate to my body and the world at large. Previously, it always seemed like problems and challenges were happening to me. Whenever I tried to do good, get closer to another or help when necessary, it seemingly backfired and somehow created more problems or issues that did not seem to resolve.
Separation and the Journey towards Wholeness
I've been reflecting on verses from Rumi and recently came across a story that resonated deeply with what we’ve been learning through our teachers. It beautifully echoes the teachings of Hor Tuck Loon, who emphasized that "we are all part of nature, not separate from it." Rumi’s wisdom speaks to this very truth, illustrating the profound connection between the self and the larger whole, reminding us that our sense of separation is merely an illusion.
Misidentification
When we say, "I am intelligent" or "I am angry," we are, in truth, identifying with particular mental processes or emotional states, not with something essential or unchanging. In reality, intelligence is simply the functioning of a specific mental factor that discerns or reasons, just as anger is the manifestation of aversion in response to a perceived threat or injustice.
Crossroads
A crossroads in our mundane comprehension represents a pivotal moment in life where a significant decision or choice must be made. The choices we make at this juncture can lead to different paths and outcomes, shaping one’s future. Being at a crossroads evokes a sense of uncertainty and the gravity of potential outcomes.
Growing Wisdom Through Right Understanding
When someone instructs me to do something without providing clear information or direction and uses a demanding tone, it often triggers a negative response in the mind. However, when another person gives the same instructions with patience and provides Right Information, the mind remains calm and attentive, reducing confusion and anxiety.
Experiencing or Understanding Suffering?
`I don’t like what is happening in my space.’ From targeting the outside, it is now aware of its own internal happenings. Aversion and intense discomfort are experienced. The wanting to push them away is so strong.
The Illusion of Silence
Understanding our attachment to silence and calmness can be challenging, especially given the persistent thoughts and feelings that often dominate our minds. While a quiet mind is frequently perceived as a sign of spiritual progress and stability, this is not always the case.
In the End
How often do we think we know what is best for us and sometimes even for others? I dare to say most of the time. We seldom or never pause to consider if what we think or know is true, to begin with.
Forgive the Error
It is often said that to be human means to live and experience everything to its fullest potential—to be able to think and to feel every emotion. Hence, if one is unable to experience, think, or feel something, then one is less of a human than another who is able to do all that abundantly.
Police and Thieves
As I progress in my practice of understanding the workings of the mind better, the analogy of playing a game of police and thieves rings true. You see – it is not enough to learn the principles taught to us by our teachers. The Right Information about the nature of the mind is often not easily understood.
Why Do I Call It The Right Practice?
Since small, I sensed this person here was peculiar, quiet, and not `normal’. As it grew up, it felt out of place most of the time. It wanted to fit in but couldn’t. So, that was what it went through till I came to Buddhism much later when I was studying in college.
Seeing the Bigger Picture
One obvious benefit while walking this Path is having a wider field of vision. Previously, I had not noticed the mechanics of seeing; my seeing was always "zooming-in" onto something, oblivious to the broader context. This limited perception poses risks and fosters automatic reactions, rendering us mindless.
How Do You Know It is the Right Practice?
The question was not about navigating through the myriad of spiritual paths to finally find the right one, but rather, how can I discern whether a new path does not merely offer a different perspective on life, albeit a more authentic one? A startling revelation dawned in this mind that there is no difference in reality between having faith in the Truth and lacking faith in it as each person's perspective constitutes their truth, grounded in their unique belief system.
Seeing the Truth is Learning with Right View
Now the mind can see the reality of causes and conditions in a deeper perspective. The letting go within happens for things are understood as nature happening, no one is in control. The mind can come either from an understanding or merely regurgitating what it thought it had understood. No one can tell except the one who is doing it.
Sports Day and Personalness
As I was at the corner taking a break and checking the status of my mind, I came to wonder if winning and losing really existed. If they are man-made concepts, why are they man-made concepts? Can I say that winning-losing is mind-made, not a reality? If yes, how so?
Just Another Life Episode
There was a strong sense of curiosity to experiment, despite it all, in order to find out what might come out of it and also interest to try something different as an opportunity for learning if it is beneficial for my meditation practice. So I decided to just do it. What is the worst that could happen, right?
Beware and Be Aware
Nothing is the norm. There is always a story to tell – whether it is a story spun to perpetuate defilements or for us to see the reality of how our minds function. All is not what it seems and we are never upset for the reason we think it is. Every moment is the chance to make a decision.
Start your journey
A thousand mile journey starts with a baby step. Start yours today!