Consistency
To have a steady practice is very important. Actually, whatever we do whether it be our job, our family matters or our meditation practice we should find some amount of consistency. if we can manage, both our positive traits will improve and our negative traits -the causes of our suffering- will become more apparent.
If in our job we can steadily improve and cultivate diligence we will slowly become wealthy. In the Mangala Sutta the Buddha says “untroubled occupations… this is the highest blessing”. It can cultivate diligence which is an attribute that can be applied and any facet of life. It can also cultivate a materially comfortable environment, good food, housing, clothes and a good education promoting a healthy body and mind. With money one has many opportunities to practice and cultivate the mind.
If we can find steadiness in cultivating good relationships with our friends and family our relationships can become deeper and more meaningful. Over time your friends and family observe and feel that you care about them. They will find safety in you. They will see that you are willing to spend time to develop the relationship. It is your resolution to create a more wholesome relation that they will feel and with time it will bear fruit.
In our daily practice we need to find a way to calm the mind and cool our craving. This is a difficult practice and is going against the kamma we have built for countless lives. It is going against a society that is always telling us to indulge in the whole spectrum of sensual desires from sex to knowledge. To calm the mind is a whole different direction. So to gain any ground we must find a consistent practice. This means we need to find a method that is suitable for us to use. There are 84000 different methods but to find one that is suitable for us in our lifestyle is important. Then bit by bit - seeing which methods are conducive to your calm mind – within the Buddha teachings – you can improve. You can sit for five more minutes or let down your guard and be honest with your loved ones, or become more diligent in your work place. The Buddha said give up evil and cultivate good and told his followers to use their judgment and what knowledge that they had to determine what was good and what was evil. Do no thing heedlessly.
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