Reflections on Meditation - August 2023
Reflections on Meditation - August 2023
This months reflections on meditation. A collection of Substack notes for the month of August 2023 from Now About Meditation
Ven. Thubten Chodron commented,
When our minds become convinced that we’ve been the recipients of a tremendous amount of kindness in our lives, the wish to speak ill of others vanishes. Instead, we become happy to talk about others’ good qualities, virtuous activities, and accomplishments.
In this statement, Ven. Thubten Chodron is reminding us of the transformative power that gratitude and kindness can have in shaping our perceptions and interactions with ourselves and others. Because when we cultivate a genuine appreciation for the kindness we have received in our lives from others, Veb. Thubten Chodron proposes that our minds undergo a profound shift. A shift where the urge to speak ill of others diminishes and is replaced by a newfound joy in celebrating their positive attributes, virtuous actions, and achievements. This sense of gratitude towards the kindness we received becomes a beacon of light that dispels negativity and fosters a positive, compassionate outlook on the world. By focusing on the good in others, we not only elevate them but also elevate ourselves, fostering a sense of interconnectedness and harmony with the broader human experience. Through this shift in perspective, we become agents of change, through propagating kindness and understanding in our interactions with others.
Katy Butler comments the following:
Just as the lotus needs muddy water to live, the pain of the world can inspire compassionate and effective action. The imperfect, as the poet Wallace Stevens said, is our paradise.
Katy Butler is eluding to how the metaphor of the lotus thriving in muddy waters beautifully parallels the notion that the pain and suffering present in the world can serve as a catalyst for fostering compassion and driving impactful change. Much like the lotus, which draws its sustenance from the very environment that might seem unfavourable, the awareness of worldly hardships can ignite a profound empathy within individuals, prompting them to take meaningful actions to alleviate suffering and make a positive difference.
Katy Butler also points out to poet Wallace Stevens' assertion that imperfections constitute our paradise. This underscores the transformative potential of embracing the imperfect aspects of existence. It is through recognizing and engaging with these imperfections that we can channel our efforts towards creating a more compassionate and harmonious world, wherein the struggles and challenges we face become the driving force behind our pursuit of a better future.
In the book "How to Be Sick: Your Pocket Companion" author Toni Bernhard comments,
The way you treat yourself is one of the few things you control in life. There’s no reason to be anything but kind to yourself, in both your speech and your actions.
In the wise words of Toni Bernhard, a true realization dawns upon us: the manner in which we choose to engage with ourselves stands as a realm entirely within our control amidst the unpredictable currents of life. In this intricate dance between our thoughts, emotions, and actions, a singular truth emerges - the imperative of kindness towards oneself. Bernhard's counsel serves as a gentle reminder that within our internal dialogue and external manifestations, benevolence should reign supreme. With the world fraught with uncertainties, embracing self-kindness becomes not only a choice but a necessity, a compass guiding us towards a more harmonious existence.
Author, speaker, and humanitarian Andrew Holecek comments,
Resistance and fear can be signs. You’re getting closer to the truth (of egolessness and emptiness), and ego’s hidden defenses spring into action.
Here Andrew Holecek is talking about the nature of resistance and fear in relation to spiritual progress. He points out that resistance and fear should not be dismissed but noted as valuable signposts on the path towards understanding egolessness and emptiness. Holecek insightfully points out that when we find ourselves encountering resistance and fear, it often signifies our proximity to the core truths of existence. Why? Because as we draw nearer to unravelling the illusions of the ego, the ego's innate defences are triggered into action, attempting to maintain the status quo and shield itself from dissolution. So with such a statement, Holecek encourages us to view these challenging emotions not as obstacles, but as indicators that we are on the verge of profound revelations, inviting us to courageously navigate through the layers of egoic resistance to uncover the liberating vistas of egolessness and emptiness.