In these blog posts, I will share key points from books I’m currently reading. Today I am sharing from “Mindfulness in Plan English” by Bhante Bhante Gunaratana, so that together we can benefit from these noble truths and transform our lives. I’d love to hear from you in the comments section!
1. The more hours you spend in meditation, the greater your ability to calmly observe every impulse and intention, thought and emotion, just as it arises in the mind. Your progress to liberation is measured in hours on the cushion.
2. Meditation is participatory observation: what you are looking at responds to the process of looking. In this case, what you are looking at is you, and what you see depends on how you look.
3. The process of meditation is extremely delicate, and the result depends absolutely on the state of mind of the meditator.
4. Following attitudes are essential to success in practice.
5. Don’t expect anything: Suspend all expectations, preconceptions or ideas for the duration of the session.
6. Don’t strain: Let your effort be relaxed and steady. Meditation is not aggressive.
7. Don’t rush: There is no hurry, so take your time. Patience, patience and patience.
8. Don’t cling to anything and don’t reject anything during your session. Accept everything that arises.
9. View all problems as challenges: look up on negativities that arise as opportunities to learn and grow.
10. Don’t dwell upon contrasts: Differences do exist between people, but dwelling upon them is a dangerous process. Unless carefully handled, this leads directly to egotism. De-emphasize contrasts and emphasize the universal factors we have in common.
