..續本文上一頁ining the mind is not the same as training animals, you know, it”s something that”s really difficult to train! Don”t be easily discouraged. At times, holding your breath till your chest is about to burst is the only thing that”ll catch your mind -- it”ll come running back! Try it and see.
During this rains retreat get to know what it”s about. In the daytime, do it; at night, do it; whenever you”re fee, go ahead and do it. Do walking meditation night and day, even if you don”t talk. Turn your attention right back to your meditation, make it continuous.
It”s the same as the water in this drinking bottle. If we tilt it a bit, it starts to "drip, drip, drip..."; we tilt it more and "drippity, drippity, drippity..." That”s like our mindfulness. And if we really pour it out, it becomes a steady stream of water, like out of a tap, not just dripping. Meaning that: whether we stand, walk, sit, lie down or whatever, if we are always aware, then our mindfulness is the same as a steady stream of water. If we really pour it out, it”s a steady stream. So, if our mind wanders, thinks of this and that, then our mindfulness is only like dripping water.
So training our mind is just like this. Whether we think of this or that, are restless, aren”t together, doesn”t matter. Just keep practicing continually, and you”ll develop awareness until it”s a constant flow. Whether standing, sitting, lying down, or whatever, that awareness will be right there with you. Do it and see!
Just sitting around, it”s not going to happen by itself, you know. But if you try too hard, you can”t do it either. don”t try at all -- still can”t do it! Keep that in mind. Sometimes you don”t even intend to sit in meditation, but your work”s finished and you sit down, empty your mind, and pap! -- you”re peaceful right away. Easy, because you”re right there.
Take this then -- that”s enough for now!
Questions and Answers
Question: I”m trying very hard in my practice but don”t seem to be getting anywhere.
Answer: This is very important. Don”t try to get anywhere in the practice. The very desire to be free or to be enlightened will be the desire that prevents your freedom. You can try as hard as you wish, practice ardently night and day, but if it is still with the desire to achieve in mind, you will never find peace. The energy from this desire will be a cause for doubt and restlessness. No matter how long or how hard you practice, wisdom will not arise from desire. So, simply let go. Watch the mind and body mindfully but don”t try to achieve anything. Don”t cling even to the practice of enlightenment.
Q: What about sleep
How much should I sleep
A: don”t ask me, I can”t tell you. A good average for some is four hours a night. What is important, though, is that you watch and know yourself. If you try to go with too little sleep, the body will feel uncomfortable and mindfulness will be difficult to sustain. Too much sleep leads to a dull or a restless mind. Find the natural balance for yourself. Carefully watch the mind and body and keep track of sleep needs until you find the optimum. If you wake up and then roll over for a snooze, this is defilement. Establish mindfulness as soon as your eyes open.
Q: How about eating
How much should I eat
A: Eating is the same as sleeping. You must know yourself. Food must be consumed to meet bodily needs. Look at your food as medicine. Are you eating so much that you only feel sleepy after the meal and are you getting fatter every day
Stop! Examine your own body and mind. There is no need to fast. Instead, experiment with the amount of food you take. Find the natural balance for your body. Put all your food together in your bowl following the ascetic practice. Then you can easily judge the amount you take. Watch yourself ca…
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