Hey DJ!

Its happening again, I seem to have acquired a cheesy internal juke box which continually plays music in my head. I know its just my mind grasping onto something. anything in those times when my mind begins to still. This morning was a very difficult sit, very disturbed with the "pop tunes"and feeling sleepy. I am doing the mindfulness of breathing all week this week and this morning it was hard even to focus on what stage I was on, very down. Now am in work and I have just watched a video by Dharmachari Siddarth from a TBMSG convention, it was so uplifting, I found it very moving. He was so positive and thankful for the chance to learn and practice meditation. And hes Right, it didn't go well today but hey, at least I can meditate, I am free to practice when and how I like. I don't have to practice in secret for fear of prosecution, I have a nice space to meditate in, on well made cushions with warm blankets! If I have a cheesy juke box disturbing me, well that's just another opportunity for me to "get stuck in" and sort it out. I am so, so lucky in many ways, and if you are reading this, well so are you!

Metta

why, why now!

I have been listening to a series of talks by Subuti, and very good they are to. They are around a book called "know your mind" The talks are very in depth and although at first I didn't grasp the whole meaning I did pick up two things which I used last week in my meditation. The first is to be clear what you are meditating about and have an attraction or at least an interest in the object of your practice. The breath in the mindfulness of breathing, and compassion for or well-being towards people, including yourself, in the Metta bhavana. The second is to keep reminding yourself of what you are doing. Not just coming back to the breath say but to remind yourself that you are focusing on the breath out of attraction to/interest in the breath. I found this extremely helpful last week in the Metta Bhavana and have started to use it today with the mindfulness of breathing. I let you know how its going as the week goes on!

Metta

Seasons greetings...

No not Christmas, summer! Yes the change of seasons brings with it some unexpected problems. I actually got the sun in my eyes when I was meditating this morning! Curtains yes simple but effective and readily available I just need to remember to close them. See being mindful means being mindful about everything not just your mediation, puja or during a study group. Nor is it just about mental events because even closing the curtains is a mental event! Have on and see.

Metta

Lets be clear........

I had a e-mail today asking for my support on an issue which in the past has been quite, at least on the surface, straight forward for me, that of what is a appropriate response to the future of people who have committed a crime. In this particular case I have always been clear that these people should be put out of harms way until things change, both for them and for the victims and for the general public. What has not been clear, at least to you the observer of my opinion, is why this should be the case. CHANGE, change is infinite. You can not punish someone permanently. ie you cannot inflict a punishment on the same person forever. Why? because the person dose not exist in the same state forever. So over time you will start to punish a person who has changed and so that punishment is not appropriate or not effective. At some point you, and them and the victim or the victims family must deal with what has happened and move on, just as each of us has moved on both physical and mentally. Granted this may not be for the better but moved on we have. So..........yes its not easy is it? not simple nothing is. Hate never destroyed hate only love destroys hate. Not fluffy pink love but metta, loving kindness, practical, realistic love, accepting of our faults and the faults of others kind of love. Some call it tough love, and it can be tough, usually tough on the person giving it, as much as the person receiving it. You can't change the past only the present, you can't change the further it hasn't happened! Change your mind and your actions will follow. An eye for an eye just means we all are half blind with hate, I would rather see everything with metta, even the bad bits, and not have things hidden out of sight.

Matta!

Metta

Metta towards myself is difficult, I don't know why but it is. I have been listening to a talk on the mettabhavan by Kamalshila and his has helped. The main point I picked up was that we have to start where we are, yes I know this is said often at beginners classes etc. but it didn't sink in what was actual meant by this. I think I have been expecting to much, a great surge of Metta to everything and everyone. Well this is not going to happen! small crumb like moments of just liking myself will have to do, well for now. These I will keep safe and look after just like a small cutting of a delicate plant. Soft hands, soft minds, warm hearts.

metta

what you thinkin'?

I've been listening to a talk by Padmavajra on the first two verses of the Dhammapada, http://www.dharmachakra.com/talks/details?num=OM790&c=n, which basically say that we can produce a more positive state of mind; and as a result more positive actions by paying attention to what we are thinking. Well not just by thoughts but by refining the emotional content of our thoughts..........to be honest I am not doing it justice, you need to listen to Padmavajra. It really is transformation in action!

Metta