If you’re just joining us for this month’s theme, please read the earlier posts:
→ Introduction
→ Week 1 Instructions
I was taught that the way to become a happy person was to get what I wanted, and that when all my wishes were fulfilled, the outcome would be a happy life. Boy was I disappointed. Because no matter how many of my desires were fulfilled — a job that I liked, finding a rent-stablized apartment, building a family — I still didn’t enjoy my life for very long. Of course that’s because happiness isn’t something that happens through desire and accumulation. It’s a state of mind and heart that we create for ourselves through our intentions, diligence, generosity, compassion and mindfulness. And that’s why it’s okay to enjoy your life — because anything worth enjoying is the result of your wholesome actions.
Last week, we discussed knowing and appreciating what we have because it alleviates greed and grasping and leads to a more contented mind. This week, we’ll look at the actions we can take towards a more contented mind. This includes being honest, refraining from stealing and killing, and choosing to not hurt others with our words or deeds. It also includes the pleasure of simply being a responsible adult. The Buddha describes four ways to do this in the Digahjanu Sutta:
By earning a living with our own efforts and discipline. This means to do a good job by being competent and skillful, and to use our livelihoods to benefit and not-harm ourselves and others.
By being responsible with what we own and earn. To thoughtfully and mindfully protect our goods, property, and savings because we understand the value of our labor and we appreciate it and don’t take anything we have for granted.
By cultivating wise friendships. The Buddha says here, and in many different teachings, that living in a moral, trustworthy, and giving community is how we can support ourselves and each other’s endeavors to live with gratitude, wisdom, and kindness which contributes to making an equitable and peaceful society.
By keeping our finances balanced. This means to not be too frugal or too extravagant — to know when to be generous and giving, and when to save and not exceed our income.
In today’s meditation, we’ll practice mindfulness and recite some traditional Vows to support our intention to be reliable, mature, and ethical people. Please commit to practicing everyday and check-in to give and receive encouragement with our community!
This week, notice the relationship between useful, skillful, and generous actions (words, thoughts, and behaviors) and your mind state. You’re likely to see that when you refrain from writing that inflammatory comment or from spending more than you have right now, you’ll be freer from guilt or worry. And you’re likely to see that when you’re generous or patient, you feel relaxed and happy. Write it down! And share it in our Chat!
“With regard to short-term happiness, we usually mean either physical pleasure or mental pleasure or both of them. But if you look at either of these pleasant experiences, their root has to be a mind that is at peace and free from suffering. As long as your mind is unhappy and devoid of tranquility or peace, no matter how much physical pleasure you experience, your mind will not know true happiness..”
My friends, even though the world is always struggling, lately it seems especially angry and violent and scary. I want to remind you (and me) that even if we can’t stop all the anger and violence, we can refrain from contributing to it. If you find yourself getting swept up in malice, hostility, or fear — even if it’s for hateful and dangerous people — please find a quiet spot and take care of your feelings so you can use them in positive and worthwhile ways to create conditions for compassion and good sense for everyone.
May we take refuge in our loving nature. May we take refuge in our loving actions. May we take refuge in our loving communities. Sabbe satta sukhi hontu. May it be so!
Take it light.
Metta+++,
Kim✨
Share this post