Turtle

"Imagine that the whole earth was covered with water, and a man was to throw a yoke with a hole in it into the water. Blown by the wind, that yoke would drift north, south, east and west. Now, suppose that once in hundred years a blind turtle would rise to the surface. What do you think? Would that turtle put his head through the hole in the yoke as he rose to the surface once in a hundred years?"

"It is unlikely Lord."

"Well, it is just as unlikely that one will be born as a human being; it is just unlikely that a Tathagata, a Noble One, a fully enlightened Buddha should arise in the world; and it is just as unlikely that the Dhamma and discipline of the Tathagata should be taught. But now you have been born as a human being, a Tathagata has arisen and the Dhamma has been taught. Therefore, strive to realize the Four Noble Truths."

Monday, June 30, 2008

20080621

(1453)

Why Are You Happy?
Cleaning up my personal files again, and reading what I have accumulated over the years. This is in line with one of the aspirations I made recently - I need to cut down on my possessions. Assess what can be trashed and read what should be read.

Found this rather interesting meditation newsletter I was subscribed to maybe 2 or 3 years ago. There were only a few editions that I saved, I don't even remember if I stopped subscribing or the newsletter was ended by its publisher?

Anyway - there was this conversation about happiness that Blair Lewis (the editor) had with his meditation guru, Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, Ph.D.

Blair: Why are you happy?

Pandit: Because I am not unhappy.

(This reminds me of the question that the committees of the 29IDC was discussing in their PCIC, 'Why do you want to be happy?" In which some of us answered, "Because I do not want to be unhappy". Later NS expanded on the answer - We want happiness because there is craving for happiness, for the good things, and there is craving not to be associated with the bad things in life")

Pandit's explanation to the answer: We are by nature in a happy state. Being unhappy requires our effort. We need to engage in the thought of not liking something, hating something, not wanting to be associated with something and so on, in order to be happy. By not engaging in these thoughts/activities, we are happy.


(1507)

The Black Print Will Not Bring the White Light

This is a saying by Swami Rama - also quoted by Blair Lewis in one his newsletters.

It applies so much to myself. There is no use in reading and collecting information and not to put them into practice. I've been slacking in my meditation lately. Spent the whole day analysing some data and processes at work. When I reach home I would read, and then go to bed. Well, if I want to reap the benefits of meditation I have to do it, no matter how sleepy or lazy my mind is.

I may just put another one of Blair's stories into practice. Just sit still for 15 minutes every day and observe the thoughts. Be physically still. Let the mind run but your body still. Eventually you will have control of the mind. What he quoted in his story - the urge to have ice-cream, just let the thought go ahead, but sit still - same like my urge to look for my purple quotation book :)


ttg
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1 comment:

Unknown said...

I just got back from several months in Africa and a friend told me about your latest postings.

Nice quotes.

Best Wishes to you and yours,

Blair

9:57 PM

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