He's on his way back home

He's on his way back home

Friday, March 14, 2014

Choiceless Awareness

I love this quote from Ajahn Sumedho:

Letting go of form is trusting in the immediacy of awareness.  And awareness is real.  It isn't abstract; it isn't just some kind of concept I have that I don't recognise immediately; it is more like the space in this room and the forms in space.  They are what they are.  and I no longer go from one thing to another saying," I like this; I don't like that." but recognise that whatever is in this space belongs here in this moment.  It doesn't whether I approve or disapprove of it, or whether it is good or bad.  If it is here, this is the way it is; and this is learning to trust in awareness, which doesn't pick or choose.  It is choiceless awareness.  

It is the type of quote that produce a little "ahhh..." moment doesn't it? =D

May all of us continue to enjoy our practice and be well and happy =)

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Looking at strong emotions as storm

Love to read Thich Nhat Nhan's books =)

Something on working with strong emotions, a very useful and helpful analogy:

Look at strong emotions as a kind of storm.  If we know weatherproofing techniques, we can come out of it intact...  If we master the ways of calming and steadying our mind, we can pass through the storms of emotion with relative ease...  don't think. Stop all your ruminating, and just focus on the breathing.  When trees get hit by a storm, the treetops are thrashed around and run the highest risk of being damaged.  The trunk of the tree is more stable and solid; it has many roots reaching deep into the earth.  The treetops are like your head, your thinking mind. 

When a storm comes up in you, get out of the treetop and go down to the trunk for safety.  Your roots start down at your abdomen, slightly below the navel, at the energy point known as the tan tien in Chinese medicine.  Put all your attention on that part of your belly and breathe deeply.  Don't think about anything, and you will be safe while the storm of emotions is blowing.  Practice this every day for just five minutes, and after three weeks, you ill be able to handle your emotions whenever they rise up...

I hope you find this useful.

May all of us continue to enjoy our practice and be well and happy =)