In a recorded Dhamma talk given by Ajahn Jayasaro I listened to recently, he said it’s ineffective to use meditation and other forms of practice as a means to get something or somewhere. Rather, what’s important is to use one’s practice to create the causes and conditions for spiritual growth. That’s it: Just create the causes and conditions and the rest will happen as a natural result.
Understanding the law of cause and effect is central to – critical to – Buddhist practice. In the external world it’s easy to see how this may play out. If I smile at you when we meet, then I am much more likely to get a positive response from you than if I scowl. One could come up with thousands of examples. The point here is that I have a choice in my actions. That is, if I choose my actions wisely, I can influence what happens next. This is not speculation or something I take on faith. I have direct experience with this phenomenon in my own life. Therefore, I know it to be true.
Still, despite what I know to be true, I sometimes work myself into certain unwholesome mind states. Most often it’s because of something someone has said to me or something I have said to myself in the form of a thought. Either way, the result is a bad mood. Sometimes the mood builds gradually, other times it’s instant. Sometimes I can stop it before it gets too far. Other times the mental state gets to the point of no return as the negative, self-critical thoughts churn over and over, reinforcing themselves. Until the mood lifts I’m not very good company.
Through Ajahn Jayasaro’s words I got a clear understanding of the purpose behind practicing the Brahma Viharas – the four sublime mind states of loving kindness, compassion, appreciative joy, and equanimity. These create the mental conditions for spiritual transformation. All that is necessary is training the mind to overcome decades of unskillful practices. This takes place through the combined and ongoing practices of acting forthrightly in the external world of society and the inner world of the mind.
4 Comments
Great post, Paul. Nicely articulated, and a lifetime to master. I am a consummate perfectionist, and this has always held me back from truly appreciating “what is” in others and situations. I often forget that perfection is an ideal, not a reality of any sort. Anyhow, thanks for your personal insight in discussing Ajahn Jayasaro. I have more reading & research to do now!
Thanks, James. A lifetime to master, yes. I guess that’s why it’s called practice.
Ajahn Jayasaro is a fascinating individual with a great depth of understanding of the Dhamma and how to present it.
PaulG
Perceptive post. My own practice took an interesting turn when I abandoned the hope for specific outcome through meditation.
My own study has focused on the Tibetan traditions. I’m looking forward to reading your perspectives.
Hi, Brian. Nice to make your acquaintance.