If Not Meditation Then What Else?
Recently I constantly felt tired easily and stressed out thinking of the many things to complete on my daily to-do list. It seemed as if no matter how many hours of rest or sleep, the thought of lying down just a tiny bit longer kept persisting. For the past few weeks, my mind was foggy most of the time, and getting through the day was a drag. It was as though I had forgotten how to meditate and there was not even a shadow of wisdom in sight. The memory of how light, alert and dynamic the mind was since I began meditating more than 3 years ago was as if it never existed. What a real bummer! Today, I said I have had enough. I do not like feeling this way. There is definitely something not quite right.
Then I read a sharing about Sayadaw U Tejaniya’s reminder to “Start Again.” His consistent teachings bring me back to the basic purpose of meditation – to understand what is happening with awareness and wisdom by cultivating a wholesome mind. If I am caught up in confusion and feeling lost, then at that moment I do not understand what is truly happening. Simple as that. If I insisted foolishly and arrogantly that I do know, then why would I even be confused at all? Surely something was not quite right. So, “Start Again” to me meant putting aside all the restless thoughts sprouting unhelpful ideas in the mind and re-evaluating how rooted the foundation of the teachings has been understood thus far. Was I on the right path?
Whenever I am willing to humbly start again with baby steps, the burden and expectation of I am supposed to know how to meditate or that I should be able to recall all that I have learned simply drop. The mind feels light and free to be interested and to explore without any fixed ideas of what will happen or aim for something it wants to occur. There were no barriers and the sense of open-mindedness welcomed any possible outcomes. Even if things were to turn sour, the mind does not complain as much or get hung up on it for too long. It simply understands and learns to find another way. Reviewing the basics regularly is a useful practice as familiarity through repetition propels the momentum and fine-tuning the skill produces clarity.
Hence, with the interest to “Start Again,” the mind took the time in a relaxed manner to check what is happening right now. What is saying, “I am tired” or “let’s sleep in a little longer?” As the investigation took place, the recognition of them as thoughts and mental processes emerged. The understanding was that when these thoughts were not recognized as mere ideas made up due to confusion about what was truly happening at that moment, then they were believed to be true and followed without hesitation. The norm of reacting out of a desire to have things the way we want or fear of what we do not want kicks in automatically whenever there is no awareness and wisdom. The fog then lifted instantaneously, and there was a sense of relief. What a striking contrast from the prior moment.
The mind then in a calm and unburdened state noticed the attitude towards the daily to-do list was different. There was an understanding that certain duties were necessary and some tasks were beneficial to cultivate a wholesome mental quality for awareness and wisdom to grow. The shift from an attitude of reluctance and dread to relaxed and amicable affirmed the confidence that this teaching is worthwhile in pursuing. So, if meditation is understanding what is happening at every moment, then when would meditation not be applicable? If meditation is not happening, the mind would most likely be confused and uncertain. Fear, worry, and stress are inevitable. When we realise this, what else to do but meditate?
WISE’s latest initiative to manifest a retreat village as a platform to support the many who appreciate the precious teachings and wish to contribute in extending it to others is exemplary of a skilful means to develop the community in a direction aligned to the wisdom journey of understanding and learning about the nature of the mind. It is a rare opportunity for us to stay close to the teachings and wise friends as guides, pointers, and reminders at every moment. Meditation incorporated seamlessly into daily activities becomes a noble way of living.
Pledge now at www.bitly/srilangkasuka or visit www.srilangkasuka.com for more info. Do share this message with those you care about to help pave the way for them to realise the way of eternal peace and love, that is possible in this lifetime. May the ripple effects of each noble intention be the cause and condition for the realisation of the unconditioned.
In grace,
Khan Hui Yee
28 Mar 2023