The disciple who reflects upon the beginning and ending of things
will be filled with joy
as true understanding arises.
Dhammapada Vs 374
Happy new year!
Monkey mind.
At one time on retreat a woman came to my room for a private interview. When I asked how could I help her, she said in a fit of frustration, “I’m so tired of this mind!”
My reply was immediate and simple, “this is good news,” I said, “now the real work can begin.”
Making the nature of the mind a problem is not unusual in Dhamma practice, and is really only a sign of misunderstanding that the mind should be controllable, and only ever present what is comfortable for us.
The purpose in our Vipassana training however, is not to make the mind calm and peaceful, although that eventually becomes the norm, but to be aware of its ever-changing nature and more than that, this ever-changing nature is beyond our control, so what to do?
We must gently, but consistently, cultivate a peaceful and harmonious relationship with all the things that we don’t control, beginning with the mind itself. Here we can no longer accurately use the term, ‘my mind’ as we see that this mind is not ours, and does not do only what we want it to do, but comes and goes of its own accord. It is like the weather. No matter how much we may want only sunny and warm spring days, the seasons change and we must be wise to accommodate that. If it rains, take an umbrella. If it is cold, wear a coat.
By continually indulging or repressing the natural movements of mind we create a tension that must be released. However, by peacefully accepting the things we cannot change, the mind, even when it seems to be busy, no longer troubles us. We let go, and let go, and let go, creating an environment of loving acceptance.
In Dhamma practice this is called, the Visudhimagga, the Path of Purification. To purify the mind by no longer being affected or interacting with whatever arises.
To let go, not of the contents of the mind, but our desire to control it.
There is a huge difference between following the mind, and being one with the mind. This difference is liberation.
Therefore, the mind does not need to be fixed, it only needs to be understood, and in that understanding lies peace.
May all beings be happy.
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Teachings
New year retreat
January 2025: 3rd to 9th
Kuckucksnest
Details: PureDhamma team
Spring retreat
March 2025: 13th to 16th
Kuckucksnest
Details: PureDhamma team
Summer retreat
June 20th to July 6th
Kuckucksnest
Details: PureDhamma team
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Koan:
One day the Master fell down in the snow, and called out, “Help me up! Help me up!”
His disciple came and lay down beside him.
The Master got up and went away.
Quotation:
All of our unhappiness and struggle with life is caused by desire and craving, wanting things to be other than they are, and these have their roots in ignorance. If we want to remove unhappiness from our lives we have to remove ignorance. Nothing else will do it.
Higher than happiness by Michael Kewley.
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