Sunday, June 24, 2012

conquering

Conquering Discontent and Delight, Fear and Dread  M 6 
This is a passage from our exploration of ethics.

 Discontent and Delight [entrapping delights, not happiness of contentment] 
If a person should wish: 
         "May I become a conqueror of discontent and delight,
          and may discontent and delight not conquer me;
          may I abide transcending discontent and delight wherever they arise,"
    • let her/him fulfill the precepts [=sīla]
    • be devoted to internal serenity of mind
    • not neglect meditation [=samādhi]
    • be possessed of insight [=paññā] 
           and dwell in  empty huts


Fear and Dread 
If a person should wish:
 "May I become a conqueror of fear and dread,
  and may fear and dread not conquer me;
  may I abide transcending fear and dread wherever they arise,
"
    • let her/him fulfill the precepts [=sīla]
    • be devoted to internal serenity of mind
    • not neglect meditation [=samādhi]
    • be possessed of insight [=paññā]
          and dwell in empty huts.  




I especially like the last line of this instruction.  I understand the meaning to be literal, however, it works much better for me to think, not so much a physical empty hut, but a personality empty of attachment to it's self.



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