Seeing the Results of Practice_2 – A Householder's Vinaya

By training the mind to couple wholesomeness with these indeterminate mental factors, we bring greater wholesome results into all our daily activities. The results are easy to see. As an example, we need only to look at whether or not to increase our energy at times when more energy may be needed, or when investigation may be needed, to see if it is easier or more difficult to access these skills. The more we do these exercises with intention and continuity, the more our mental culture and meditative momentum will deepen. Training the mind with wholesomeness combined with intention guarantees new skills both at our next formal retreat and in our everyday lives.

Continuity of wholesomeness in all activities is the lynch pin, and

balance is the grease. Home Practice and Home Retreat are the active forces at play.

A path towards spiritual freedom becomes a reality when all our experience, no matter what that experience might be, is met with a wholesome and accepting hand and an open heart coupled with sati-sampajañña. A day that is going according to plan is as valuable as a day full of interruptions and resistance when it is met with wise attention. Remind yourself as often as possible that pleasant practice is not necessarily good practice. Friendliness towards self and others, adapting to the unexpected and investigation with no fixed agenda are all tools that will support your practice’s momentum, maturity and integration.

By training the mind to couple wholesomeness with these indeterminate mental factors, we bring greater wholesome results into all our daily activities. The results are easy to see. As an example, we need only to look at whether or not to increase our energy at times when more energy may be needed, or when investigation may be needed, to see if it is easier or more difficult to access these skills. The more we do these exercises with intention and continuity, the more our mental culture and meditative momentum will deepen. Training the mind with wholesomeness combined with intention guarantees new skills both at our next formal retreat and in our everyday lives.

Continuity of wholesomeness in all activities is the lynch pin, and

balance is the grease. Home Practice and Home Retreat are the active forces at play.

A path towards spiritual freedom becomes a reality when all our experience, no matter what that experience might be, is met with a wholesome and accepting hand and an open heart coupled with sati-sampajañña. A day that is going according to plan is as valuable as a day full of interruptions and resistance when it is met with wise attention. Remind yourself as often as possible that pleasant practice is not necessarily good practice. Friendliness towards self and others, adapting to the unexpected and investigation with no fixed agenda are all tools that will support your practice’s momentum, maturity and integration.

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Glossary

We functionally strengthen the indeterminate mental factors: ‘The Abhidhamma in Practice’, N.K.G. Mendis. Section ‘The Cetasikas,’ subcategory, ‘Sankharas.’ Access to Insight.

Abbreviations in footnotes: AN: Aṅguttara Nikāya, DN: Dingha Nikāya, MN: Majjhima Nikāya, SN: Saṃyutta Nikāya