“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”
~ Buddha
So I spoke yesterday about some of the mental factors that contribute to our own unhappiness. In short, Buddha grouped these states of mind into what he called The Three Poisons: Greed, Hatred (or Aversion) and Delusion (or Wrong View). There are actually 51 specific states of mind that the Buddha came to realize falling under these main three states.
For me, the good news when coming across the Buddha’s teachings was that I was not alone in my sad, sorry state of mind. Most everyone has these states of mind, some stronger than others. What this begins is a sort of letting go of self-hatred. Compassion towards oneself is extremely important as we begin this practice. No more thinking the “bad” thoughts, then following that up with negative self talk such as “Victoria, what a horrible person you are … A yogi shouldn’t think or act like that.” This is not helpful.
Getting back to the Noble Eightfold Path, once we realize that this is the mind we’ve inherited, we shine the light of compassion and awareness on it … The four cornerstones of mindfulness. We can abandon the thoughts, prevent them, develop them, or maintain them. We work to prevent or abandon the unskillful thoughts, and develop or maintain the skillful ones.
To antidote and overcome greed, we learn to cultivate selflessness, generosity, detachment, and contentment.
To antidote and overcome hatred, we learn to cultivate loving-kindness, compassion, patience, and forgiveness.
To antidote and overcome delusion, we cultivate wisdom, insight, and right understanding. Learning to experience reality exactly as it is, without the distortions of our self-centered desires, fears, and expectations, we free ourselves from delusion. Deeply sensing and acting in harmony with the interdependent, impermanent, and ever-changing nature of this world—realizing that all living beings are inseparably related and that lasting happiness does not come from anything external—we free ourselves from delusion. As we develop a clear understanding of karma, knowing the positive, wholesome actions that bring happiness and the negative, unwholesome actions that bring suffering, we cultivate the wisdom, insight, and right understanding that free us from delusion.
What’s interesting, as I went through my day yesterday in a high level of mindfulness – villa check-in, frustrating errand running, guests not ever checking in because they were too drunk – I felt my mindfulness grow tired. This is how it is every day.
And I had a breakthrough. As 5:15 rolled around, and my PM alarm notified me it was time for yoga/meditation, I found myself (as always) resistant. Good god, I thought. Do I have to listen to this mind anymore ?!?!? I don’t want to !!!! Enough already !!!!!
So why am I not offering myself Yoga Nidra, or Guided Meditation … the other type of meditation in the PM, when mindfulness is low?? Hum … Yes, I have a choice. I simply forgot about it. Remember, I’m self taught LOL …
As I researched this post this morning, I ran across a truly wonderful and down to earth webpage, that talks about the two forms of Buddhist meditation, Samatha and Vipassana — tranquility and insight. I hope you’ll have a chance to read it. It talks about why we need both. One to connect with the ultimate reality in tranquility and equanimity, and one to help stabilize our poisoned minds during most of our daily lives 😉
An Overview of Buddhist Mediation — by Kusala Bhikshu
http://www.urbandharma.org/kusala/revkus/buddmeditation.html
So getting back to my opening quote by the Buddha, there’s a fun little page called Fake Buddha Quotes. This is one of them. What the Buddha actually said (as best as anyone can summize) was this:
Searching all directions
with one’s awareness,
one finds no one dearer
than oneself.
In the same way, others
are fiercely dear to themselves.
So one should not hurt others
if one loves oneself.
Live life in compassionate mindfulness and oneness … It makes for a beautiful world ❤
Sources:
Transforming the Three Poisons:
http://www.naljorprisondharmaservice.org/pdf/ThreePoisons.htm
The 51 Mental Factors:
http://viewonbuddhism.org/mind.html
