Heart of practice

Practice is not just about sitting in meditation, walking mindfully.

The heart of practice lies beyond meditation and mindful walking. It extends to various everyday activities—such as driving a car or taking a bus—where prayer can be incorporated. In traffic jams, during the commute to work, or even while walking to one's desk, each step can be imbued with consciousness and thus become a form of practice. However, many opportunities are often squandered. Valuable time might be lost browsing through phones or getting distracted during the morning commute. This reveals our fleeting human nature—while meditation and mindfulness are commendable, they don't encapsulate the entirety of practice.

Luang Por emphasized that time shouldn't be an excuse for lacking practice. Even amid work responsibilities, there are windows of opportunity for practice. For instance, during downtime between meetings, it's possible to observe people's expressions as they enter the meeting room. This awareness enhances understanding and compassion. Similarly, facing challenges such as irritating individuals or addressing problems constructively can be integral parts of practice. In these moments, conscious awareness is crucial.

In practice, it's essential to avoid compartmentalizing mindfulness solely into meditation or walking. True practice encompasses a conscious approach to all aspects of life. It's about using time purposefully instead of wasting it. A commute, for instance, can become a mindful journey rather than a source of frustration. Instead of blindly following distractions, such as social media, one can be attentive to surroundings, thoughts, and feelings.

The heart of practice extends to moments of discomfort too. It's about acknowledging discomfort during mundane activities like using the restroom. This awareness cultivates mindfulness and understanding of our bodily sensations. It's a reminder that even in ordinary activities, there's room for practice.

Faith is crucial but can be fleeting. Conditions are often set to strengthen it, yet this can lead to conflicts and unnecessary restrictions. Rather than rigid rules, the heart of practice involves creating a harmonious environment. It's about ensuring our homes are peaceful and cool—places where mindfulness thrives.

Practice isn't confined to formal meditation or mindfulness exercises. It's an ongoing awareness of thoughts, emotions, and reactions in various situations. It's about recognizing when we're fully present and when we're not. It's acknowledging our reactions to people and circumstances. Practice doesn't just entail knowing what we like or dislike, but understanding the underlying causes of these preferences. When we discern these causes, we can address them to reduce suffering.

In sum, practice transcends meditation and mindfulness techniques. It involves embracing life's diverse situations with conscious awareness. Recognizing our reactions, understanding their origins, and cultivating a mindful and compassionate approach are at the heart of practice. I am well. However, I have the desire to detach and let go. Emerging from meditation, I contemplate the notion of starting anew. At times, this inclination prompts me to release mindfulness, concentration, and even the determination to continue. I relinquish the origins of suffering, cravings, and even the pursuit of wisdom. I focus on understanding the essence of the body and the mind. Eventually, there comes a point where this understanding becomes inherent.

My life has been rooted in the temple since childhood. This journey has involved progressively delving into subtleties and profundities. Concentration has been a part of my life since I was a 10-year-old boy. Even then, I could separate the moments of shock from my consciousness. This allowed me to not just meditate daily, inhaling "Buddha" and exhaling deeply, but also to remain present in moments of surprise. For instance, when there was a fire next to our house, I observed the fire, extinguishing the initial shock. Then, with a calm and knowledgeable mind, I would inform my parents about the fire and offer help to those affected.

In my perspective, there is no room for coincidences, flukes, luck, misfortunes, auspicious or inauspicious times. Even the concept of destiny is linked to celestial bodies—planets and stars—that adhere to orbits and patterns. If we truly understand the Dharma and possess mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom, we won't be entangled in seeking auspicious times. I personally have never aligned my actions with auspicious moments. Whether it's buying a new car, moving, or ordaining, I don't see the need to wait for an auspicious time. If it's convenient and practical, I act accordingly.

Believing in karma and the law of cause and effect has been a core principle instilled in me from a young age. I don't find any need to rely on auspicious times or superstitious beliefs. My approach is grounded in understanding the relationship between actions and their consequences. I adhere to the law of karma, a universal principle that dictates that actions have corresponding outcomes. This belief is not an individual's invention but a universally recognized truth that goes beyond mere anecdotes. It's based on common sense and logic rather than superstition.