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Whenever we experience a big setback, an embarrassing failure or deep disappointment two things happen. Confidence drops and fear rises. Rather than remain in that low state, the best course is in making a conscious effort to increase resilience and optimism. To do that speak this way to yourself: I can grow through this. I view this as a learning moment rather than a failure. I can get through this. I will not allow this to hold me back.
Using statements such as these are clear and strong indications that you are rising above the setback, failure and disappointment. In fact, you’ve already won the struggle.
Using statements such as these are clear and strong indications that you are rising above the setback, failure and disappointment. In fact, you’ve already won the struggle.
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When I teach a friend how to practice meditation, I don’t call myself ‘teacher’ and my friend ‘student’. There is no transmitter and no receiver. We are one and the same. Together, we help each other. - Thich Nhat Hanh
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What is called the Buddhist Noble Eightfold Path begins with right view or right perspective. This is not simply having a correct view about life but about yourself as well. Buddhist teacher Robert Aitken explains it succinctly this way:
“You are probably all too aware of your faults and weaknesses. You get angry and your are lazy. But really, faults and weaknesses are just pejorative words for qualities of character. You have faults as the earth has faults – lines along which you expand and contract.”
So ease up on yourself. Apply less judgment and more compassion toward yourself.
“You are probably all too aware of your faults and weaknesses. You get angry and your are lazy. But really, faults and weaknesses are just pejorative words for qualities of character. You have faults as the earth has faults – lines along which you expand and contract.”
So ease up on yourself. Apply less judgment and more compassion toward yourself.
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Teaching is not done by talking alone.
It is done by how you live your life.
My life is my teaching.
My life is my message.
- Thich Nhat Hanh
It is done by how you live your life.
My life is my teaching.
My life is my message.
- Thich Nhat Hanh
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As far as practice goes, you are not your neighbor. What works for her might not work for you. What works for you now may not work for you the next year. Keep it open. Robert Aitken
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Several decades ago, Thai monk Ajahn Suwat was teaching a ten-day retreat at the Insight Meditation Society (IMS) in Barre, MA. Though an experienced meditation instructor, it was the first time he’d taught Westerners. After several days, Ajahn Suwat asked his translator:
“Why do the students seem so unhappy? They’re meditating. They’re here. But they seem so grim and not at all like they’re enjoying themselves.”
After thinking about it, his translator responded: “They know how to meditate, but not how to practice dana (generosity).” Insightfully, the translator saw a direct link between the lack of happiness and the lack of generosity.
Commenting on that incident, writer Ajan Pasanno adds:
“One of the doorways out of suffering is generosity. It’s important to realize that dana is not just about material giving. It also involves service and keeping one’s eyes open for what needs to be done. How can I help? Who is in need of assistance? In order to feel comfortable helping others, we have to leap over the hurdle of self, of me and mine. Acts of service invite us to step out of the conditioned boundaries that we set up for our imaginary selves.”
“Why do the students seem so unhappy? They’re meditating. They’re here. But they seem so grim and not at all like they’re enjoying themselves.”
After thinking about it, his translator responded: “They know how to meditate, but not how to practice dana (generosity).” Insightfully, the translator saw a direct link between the lack of happiness and the lack of generosity.
Commenting on that incident, writer Ajan Pasanno adds:
“One of the doorways out of suffering is generosity. It’s important to realize that dana is not just about material giving. It also involves service and keeping one’s eyes open for what needs to be done. How can I help? Who is in need of assistance? In order to feel comfortable helping others, we have to leap over the hurdle of self, of me and mine. Acts of service invite us to step out of the conditioned boundaries that we set up for our imaginary selves.”
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Bhante Gunartana, author and spiritual director of the Bhavana Society Monastery in High View, West Virginia. During a recent interview he was asked: “You spend every January and February in solitary retreat. What is that like and what are your days like?”
His answer is both inspiring and instructive:
“During my annual seclusion period, I meditate at least two hours in the morning after I wake up. Then, after breakfast, I do a walking meditation in the meditation hall. Then, after lunch, again I walk outside for one-and-a-half hours. Then, I meditate for two to two-and-a-half hours until 5 or 5:30 p.m., when I take my evening medicine with my evening drink. After that, I meditate until I go to bed. Altogether, I’m meditating for six to seven hours, including sitting and walking meditation. Even when I’m in bed, I’m meditating until the moment I fall asleep.”
Here's the way to apply his experience: can you spend a weekend following his pattern? Could you take a weekday off and follow his meditation pattern?
His answer is both inspiring and instructive:
“During my annual seclusion period, I meditate at least two hours in the morning after I wake up. Then, after breakfast, I do a walking meditation in the meditation hall. Then, after lunch, again I walk outside for one-and-a-half hours. Then, I meditate for two to two-and-a-half hours until 5 or 5:30 p.m., when I take my evening medicine with my evening drink. After that, I meditate until I go to bed. Altogether, I’m meditating for six to seven hours, including sitting and walking meditation. Even when I’m in bed, I’m meditating until the moment I fall asleep.”
Here's the way to apply his experience: can you spend a weekend following his pattern? Could you take a weekday off and follow his meditation pattern?
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Compassion is not expressed by “feeling the pain of others,” but rather by acting wisely to reduce their suffering. - Tashi Nyima
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Religions are not all the same . . But what they all say, what they’re all in agreement about, is that there’s something very wrong with your spirituality if it does not result in compassion. If it results in unkindness and hatred and violence and belligerence, you’ve lost it. - Karen Armstrong
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Thich Nhat Hanh says that “meditation can be very informal” and cites the example of washing dishes.
“When you wash the dishes, if you enjoy breathing in and breathing out and your smile, the dish washing becomes very pleasant. I enjoy washing dishes very much. Washing dishes is not only to have clean dishes, but to simply enjoy the time of washing dishes. With the energy of mindfulness, every action in our daily life can become pleasurable.
“When you wash the dishes, if you enjoy breathing in and breathing out and your smile, the dish washing becomes very pleasant. I enjoy washing dishes very much. Washing dishes is not only to have clean dishes, but to simply enjoy the time of washing dishes. With the energy of mindfulness, every action in our daily life can become pleasurable.