The Path

Dhamma training is neither difficult nor easy except what the mind makes of it!

The teaching is always simple, live with love and be aware, but often it is that very simplicity that creates the difficulties. We want more, we seek more and the mind always asks, 'what is the technique for this, what is the technique for that? What do I need to do to make everything fall into place?'

Of course there are many techniques in spiritual practice but all of them are limited and must ultimately be dropped. A technique will only take you to the end of that technique and so holding on to such things will only bring further disappointment when it fails your expectations. As always we must put down all expectations and do what we have to do, which is simple, to live with love and be aware.

Sometimes we can be shocked into practice by a recognition of the impersonal quality of life, when our loved ones become ill or pets die or we hear of inhuman events in the world, but although those things can register with one person, as we are bombarded by unpleasant things every time we switch on the T.V. or connect with the media in one way or another, we can become quite immune to such things.

So there is nothing that can be guaranteed to inspire you to practice and so we just walk one step after another, remembering that our life and the lives of all the beings we share the planet with is the same, pain is pain, suffering is suffering, struggle is struggle. If you reflect in this way the feeling of separation from other beings will dissipate and you will find a new and brighter meaning in all your relationships.

Now you can say that you are walking a true Dhamma path.

May you be well and happy.