WEEK 27.2 (JULY 5-JULY 11) -There are no mirrors in a Buddhist monastery
Today, I want to share a thought inspired by Buddhist principles that beautifully illustrates the nature of our mind and how we can keep it clear and serene.
Imagine our soul as an endless, blue, and empty sky. When we remain positive and mindful, it’s like maintaining high pressure in this vast sky, keeping our minds clear and open. However, when we allow negative emotions to take root and grow, low pressure develops. Just as low pressure in the earth’s sky brings clouds, rain, and even hurricanes, the same happens within us.
This is where the Buddhist concept of the seven kleshas, or afflictions of the mind, comes into play. These afflictions—ignorance, attachment, aversion, pride, jealousy, delusion, and doubt—are like stormy clouds that obscure the clear sky of our mind.
If we don’t bring mindful awareness into our daily practice, these kleshas can cover our inner sky with stormy clouds of negative emotions. When this happens, we lose sight of who we truly are, why we are here, and where we are going.
Overcoming the Kleshas
To keep our inner sky clear and peaceful, we need to address and overcome these kleshas through our practice:
The kleshas are categorized into seven key types:
- Ignorance (Avidya or Avijja)
Ignorance is the root of all afflictions. It refers to a fundamental misunderstanding of reality, particularly the belief in a permanent, independent self. This misunderstanding prevents us from seeing the truth of impermanence and interdependence. To overcome ignorance, we can practice mindfulness and study the Four Noble Truths, deepening our understanding of the nature of existence. - Attachment (Raga or Lobha)
Attachment is the craving for sensory pleasures, material possessions, or specific outcomes. It leads to clinging and possessiveness, causing suffering when desires are unmet. By practicing non-attachment and contentment, we can learn to appreciate the present moment without being overly attached to outcomes. - Aversion (Dvesha or Dosa)
Aversion, or hatred, is the rejection of unpleasant experiences, people, or objects. This leads to anger and ill-will. Cultivating loving-kindness (metta) and compassion can help us transform aversion into acceptance and understanding. - Pride (Mana)
Pride is an inflated sense of self-worth and superiority over others. It creates a barrier to humility and compassion. By practicing humility and recognizing the inherent worth of all beings, we can dissolve pride and foster a sense of interconnectedness. - Jealousy (Irsya)
Jealousy arises from the fear that another person’s happiness diminishes our own. This leads to envy and resentment. Practicing mudita, or sympathetic joy, allows us to rejoice in others’ happiness, reducing feelings of jealousy. - Delusion (Moha)
Delusion is a state of confusion and misunderstanding about reality. It often accompanies ignorance. Through meditation and mindfulness, we can clear the clouds of delusion, gaining a clearer perception of the world. - Doubt (Vicikitsa)
Doubt refers to skepticism about the path to enlightenment and the teachings of the Buddha. It prevents us from fully committing to our practice. Developing faith through study, reflection, and practice can help overcome doubt, allowing us to progress with confidence.
In our practice today, let’s focus on bringing awareness to the afflictions of the mind. As we move through our asanas, notice if any of these mental states arise. Acknowledge them without judgment and gently guide your mind back to the breath, to the present moment.
Like any poison, these afflictions have antidotes. When you notice a negative cloud from a klesha forming, offer it an antidote—often the exact opposite. For example, if you find yourself feeling prideful and boasting about your inflated ego, temper it by immediately practicing humility.
Pema Chödrön: “The most fundamental aggression to ourselves, the most fundamental harm we can do to ourselves, is to remain ignorant by not having the courage and the respect to look at ourselves honestly and gently.”
Dalai Lama: “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. Anger, attachment, jealousy, and pride are the kleshas that poison our mind.”
Buddha: “All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him as the wheel follows the foot of the ox that draws the carriage.”
Matthieu Ricard: “The more we understand the nature of our mind and the destructive emotions, the more we can develop the antidotes and cultivate positive qualities.”
Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche: “The kleshas are like thieves lurking in your house; they steal your peace and happiness. Recognizing them is the first step towards freedom.”
Thich Nhat Hanh: “Our own life has to be our message. When you practice deep looking with compassion, you can see into the nature of the kleshas. You see how they are created by misunderstanding and how they bring about suffering.”
No Mirrors
In a serene Buddhist monastery nestled in the mountains, there were no mirrors to be found. A curious novice, new to the monastery, asked the wise abbot, “Master, why are there no mirrors here?”
The abbot smiled gently and replied, “Mirrors are distractions from our ultimate reality, our inner world. Why waste time looking at the outside, when the inside holds the answers we seek? The exterior is impermanent and will age and deteriorate. The inner world of our soul is the only thing permanent we encounter.”
The novice pondered this and, over time, learned to look within. As he meditated and practiced mindfulness, he discovered a profound peace and understanding that no mirror could reflect.
Buddha: “It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell.”
Dalai Lama: “We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.”
Thich Nhat Hanh: “The seed of suffering in you may be strong, but don’t wait until you have no more suffering before allowing yourself to be happy.”
Lao Tzu: “He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened.”
Swami Vivekananda: “You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul.”