Self-Soothing Practices
Study Guide
Audio Dharma Talk
Metta phrases such as “May you be safe from internal and external harm” need not be used to practice loving-kindness. It’s a practice of intention, not a results-oriented practice. Your intention to incline the heart to loving-kindness is what matters, with or without phrases.
Utilizing mindfulness to start your day with clarity is a very empowering practice. So often we use coping techniques immediately, rather than taking the moment to just being aware. Always, and especially when starting one's day, it's important to be aware of whatever is present with loving kindness and compassion, for that can have a positive effect on your whole day.
Fatigue, strain, pressure, and stress can seem like difficult or unfortunate life experiences, however, they are also opportunities to practice the dharma.
When we investigate suffering, we frequently find that striving is present, often in subtle and barely recognizable forms. The dharma is helpful in showing us if we are clinging as well as striving, a combination which worsens our suffering. When we can see the moment as it is, we can choose to cease inappropriate striving.
Current triggers may cause unfinished business from our past to surface from our unconscious and cause us to feel haunted, disquieted, or inauthentic. Mindfulness helps us recognize our suffering and the ghost that has arisen. We want to bring these experiences to the forefront so we can respond in the present moment with compassion.
Practicing forgiveness is not about being able to forgive in the moment; it is about having the intention to forgive, even if our ability to forgive right now is lacking. Why do we resist forgiveness? Why is it so hard to move on in our lives? These are questions worth investigating if we wish to experience greater loving-kindness, compassion, and freedom from suffering.
According to the Buddha, wisdom is a kind of knowledge that is insight-based and frees the mind. Dharma study provides knowledge and teaches us how to apply that knowledge, which is wisdom. There are ways by which we can cultivate wisdom.
Fatigue, strain, pressure, and stress can seem like difficult or unfortunate life experiences, however, they are also opportunities to practice the dharma.
