Buddha Talks About Attachment

The following words come from a teaching by Venerable Jagaro of the Dhammaloka Buddhist Centre in Perth.  These words were a lesson that I needed around understanding attachment, and to help clients who are attached.  May these words help you as well.

Picture from Microsoft Clip Art

 

In Buddhism we are interested in freedom the freedom of non- attachment. We carry around an immense burden of attachment to everything we consider 'me' and 'mine' , like a big heavy stone on our shoulders. When a wise person points out to us that we could throw off this burden, we regard them with suspicion. 'Throw it off? Then I wouldn't have anything left! I couldn't do that!' Thinking they will bring us happiness, we continue to lug around our personal investments and self interests this great big heavy burden! The Buddha taught that nothing is worth attaching to. Do not attach to anything: that will bring true peace and happiness. Reflect on the process of what we call suffering: what it really is how it arises. Only then can one begin to appreciate what attachment really is, what the result of attachment is, and begin to glimpse the idea and the possible results of non-attachment. 

Attachment is something we create in the mind. When we let it go, we begin to experience the silent empty mind. This still, peaceful mind can be found when sitting in meditation. Is it possible to bring it also into our daily lives? Can we live as ordinary people with this non-attachment? There is one vital factor needed if we wish to live skilfully, and that factor is mindful awareness. This factor of knowing, of being present, is essential if we wish to go beyond our continual stream of thinking, projecting, analysing and reacting. It is difficult, isn't it? Without awareness, we are locked into our stale conditioning, like a monkey with its paw stuck in the biscuit jar . All it has to do to become free is let go, but this is just what it won't do. Actually , non-attachment is not something you have to do: all you have to do is stop attaching. This is natural for the enlightened mind, and it is awareness which makes this a real possibility in our lives.

The Buddha taught a Path, gave us a method of skilful means. Meditation is the tool to help us with the process of being present, of seeing attachment and tensions arising, of knowing when to relax and let go. The practice of meditation is very highly emphasised. The more you become aware, the more you can begin to experience true peace and happiness. There is no need to have anything else, no need to achieve anything.

Many blessings,

Judy

You are a Visitor Here

  

   "Lady Traveler" from Microsoft Clip Art....

 

                                                           I have been experiencing many different lessons of life over the past twenty years.  Early in this adventure, after each experience, I usually would say, "Wow!  That was intense! I am glad that I am through that!"  As I grew older and wiser, I realized that the lessons were the journey. And, as I traveled around the world, I realized that the lessons of life were very much paralleled by the challenges one faces traveling in different countries where we cannot communicate in a common language and thus revert to signing and engaging in a genuine exchange.  Words do limit how another interprets what one says. 

I had pretty much forgotten about my earlier discoveries as I am busy learning new things all the time.  Then, the other day, I found this passage when I was working through some Buddhist teachings.  I loved the phrasing!  It took me back to the earlier times when I was a visitor in so many countries and cities.  

May you enjoy this teaching as I did!

                                      Dhammavadaka

Remember always that you are just a visitor here, a traveler passing through. Your stay is but short and the moment of your departure unknown.

None can live without toil and a craft that provides your needs is a blessing indeed. But if you toil without rest, fatigue and weariness will overtake you, and you will denied the joy that comes from labour's end.

Speak quietly and kindly and be not forward with either opinions or advice. If you talk much, this will make you deaf to what others say, and you should know that there are few so wise that they cannot learn from others.

Be near when help is needed, but far when praise and thanks are being offered.

Take small account of might, wealth and fame, for they soon pass and are forgotten. Instead, nurture love within you and and strive to be a friend to all. Truly, compassion is a balm for many wounds.

Treasure silence when you find it, and while being mindful of your duties, set time aside, to be alone with yourself.  
Cast off pretense and self-deception and see yourself as you really are.

Despite all appearances, no one is really evil. They are led astray by ignorance. If you ponder this truth always you will offer more light, rather then blame and condemnation.  
You, no less than all beings have Buddha Nature within. Your essential Mind is pure. Therefore, when defilements cause you to stumble and fall, let not remorse nor dark foreboding cast you down. Be of good cheer and with this understanding, summon strength and walk on.  

Faith is like a lamp and wisdom makes the flame burn bright. Carry this lamp always and in good time the darkness will yield and you will abide in the Light. 

Note - I believe this was written by  Shravasti Dhammika ... I thank you for this writing.

Blessings,

Judy

Lion on Sleeping

It is interesting, sometimes, that I often wonder if I am ever alone.  

Again, sitting in meditation, I get this feeling that someone is watching me.  As I grow more quiet, I hear a heavy, panting type of breathing.  I look around, and there is this very large African Lion on the edge of my space.  I greeted him, and asked him if I could help him.  

“Yes,” he said.  “I have come to give you some wisdom about sleeping.  These are things to share with all out there (meaning in the world).”

I asked him to begin, and this is what he shared.

• All living creatures must sleep because it is during sleep that great hurts are healed or healing quickly, and that muscles recover.
• Sleep does not mean that you must sleep for a certain length of time.  Be mindful of when you are feeling tired.  That is the best time to sleep.  Humans seem to go way beyond tiredness and then their bodies cannot sleep because they are too busy working to repair damage done by being over wakeful.
• The best time to sleep is after a meal.  Then, the digestion can pull the energy it needs to properly and quickly turn food into more energy.  If you keep going after eating, then the energy is split into different areas and the food sits like toxins in your stomach.  The acid may in fact make it toxic.
• Find a sleep position that gives you the most pleasure, and use that to move through your sleep cycle.  Lions like to sleep in a heap.  Do you feel better with others or on your own?  What ever it is, honour it.

There was the sounds of growling far away, and Lion said farewell, promising to be back in the future to finish his discussion on sleeping.

Many blessings,

Judy

Being Mindful Every Day

When the breeze blows, and the smell of the ocean falls over the land, and brushes my face, I think about being mindful.  We all fully expect to mindful or fully present when we are in meditation.  Yet, when I was sitting in my space the other day, Creator moved in and asked me to be more mindful everyday.  

My first thought was, “I am”.  And, I heard this booming laugh.  

And then I remembered that one of the teachings of Spirit is the understanding of “I AM”.

I then thought, what if I just say, “I am mindful.”

With that thought, a rush of energy lifted me and flowed through me.

Being mindful every day means that you are fully aware of what is around you.  It is paying attention to the small children, the homeless man, and the smell of smoke in the air.  It is finding that balance and shifting from being focused in your mind, on your own things, to shifting to the environment and seeing the inter-connectedness of all things.    It is being aware that we are not alone, and that we are part of the whole.

If you have the trait of being observant and paying attention, you are mindful.  If you are always in victim mode, you are blaming.  Being mindful is rewarding.  Try it.

Blessings, 

Judy

Lean on Me

   Picture from Soundscapesourcing.com

Through the Christmas holidays, I practiced the idea of “lean on me” in two different ways.  In the first way, I was the leaning person. In December, I pinched a nerve in my back which impeded everything that I was doing.  I had to lean on people for help. 

In the second way, I was the person being leaned on.  A friend was going through some nasty stuff and phoned me for support.  As she had been exposed to COVID, I could not go and comfort her so we spent several long phone calls with her talking and with me listening.  Mostly all you need to do is listen.

Whether you are the leaner or the person being leaned on, there are some truths about expectations:

• The leaner is looking for some understanding, some love, and some kindness.  In general, the person looks for support.
• The person being leaned on does not need to solve the problem.  They just need to be mindful that the person is hurting in some way and that person needs love and kindness.

Many blessings!

Small Injuries To Your Body

 

I banged my knee on the corner of the bed when I was making it.  It bloody hurt, because I punctured the skin on the corner of the post.  Within fifteen minutes, I banged my head on the corner of the kitchen cupboards.  I never do that.  I couldn't figure out what happened.  The last straw was stubbing my toe on the step as I was going upstairs.  It hurt, and I never stub my toe, either.

What is going on?? I kept asking myself what was happening and what I was supposed to learn.  And then I got it!  I was not being mindful.  I was not paying attention to what I was doing.  Instead, I was allowing my mind to wander, and to distract me from the task at hand.  I am all attention, now.

Getting small bangs to your body causes one to go out of balance.  It is a good idea, after a couple of knocks like I took, to sit in meditation and bring your body back to Center, to a place of stillness and balance.

Many blessings

Judy

Are You Being Mindful?

 

I banged my knee on the corner of the bed when I was making it.  It bloody hurt, because I punctured the skin on the corner of the post.  Within fifteen minutes, I banged my head on the corner of the kitchen cupboards.  I never do that.  I couldn't figure out what happened.  The last straw was stubbing my toe on the step as I was going upstairs.  It hurt, and I never stub my toe, either.

What is going on?? I kept asking myself what was happening and what I was supposed to learn.  And then I got it!  I was not being mindful.  I was not paying attention to what I was doing.  Instead, I was allowing my mind to wander, and to distract me from the task at hand.  I am all attention, now.

Many blessings

Judy