20 May Self Discipline-practising accepting and letting go.
Self Discipline: – Knowing how to let go and knowing what to let go of
In certain parts of Asia hunters catch monkeys by making a hole in a coconut big enough for a monkey to put his hands in but not big enough to take out his closed fist. The hunter puts a banana in the coconut tying a rope around it and when the monkey puts his hand in it he grabs the banana and no matter what just doesn’t want to let go of it. The hunter reels the rope and catches the monkey. In the same manner our mind reels us into a state simply because we can?t or wont or perhaps don?t know how to let go.
We have to first be aware that our mind and body are constantly responding to stimulation either from internal or external environment. If we are not aware of our immediate response we cannot change. This involves having the ability to slow down, and be a witness to your response. This requires practice and self discipline.
A healthy body is subject to physical stress as a result of which it develops strength to function in the changing environment; our body demands activity, movement, physical nourishment, rest and relaxation; similarly a healthy mind reasons, calculates’ processes thoughts, ideas, opinions, judgements, emotions. All are necessary as an interpretation of the environment and we respond accordingly.
A healthy mind and body however recovers by letting go and being refreshed to return to a neutral state ready for more.
We forget to keep clean the clutter of our mind. Often we don’t realise that this is possible. An analogy I would use is like keeping the mind clean like cleaning your cooking pot after preparation of your dish! You clean the pot so the flavours of one dish doesn?t affect the other unless that is your intention. Practising meditation helps us with this but we must practice our self discipline so that it is strengthened to accept and let go. If we keep our mind clear throughout the day by practising this self discipline we will find that our meditation practice is a lot deeper. Our level of attention and concentration and move from activity is better and we are not drained but revived with energy.
First recognise the following of yourself:-
Ask the following questions: –
How tightly are you holding on to an idea, thought, opinion, judgements.
Is this attachment stopping you from being receptive?
Are you being defensive of these attachments?
Are you attacking another’s opinion or judgement because you are attaching yourself to yours?
How much are you pushing away others because of these attachments
How often do you find yourself defending, hating or lusting over theses thoughts or opinions?
And
Accept that you are doing so.
Accepting is not passive it is active because you can than work on letting go.
You feel the full range of experience without judgements or denials. You are not suppressing anything but feeling as it is. You can allow this to happen in your meditation. This is your direct experience and acceptance. It helps to tidy up as you go along.
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