Balanced Existence

The practice of being mindful of the breath while sitting in meditation strengthens one’s capacity for mindfulness in daily life. It is in daily life, in the context of this discussion, that the ability to be mindful of mental events allows one to deal wisely with desire and aversion as they arise in response to feelings. Goldstein describes each mind-moment that is free of greed, hatred and delusion as having a certain purifying force in the flow of consciousness. Therefore it is important to cultivate such mind-moments not just on the cushion during meditation but also during daily life. Combined with deep insight in the fundamental nature of phenomena arising out of mediation practice the weeds in the mind can be pushed back and eventually removed for good.

Nayanaponik Thera observed that “by this practice, attachment to likes and dislikes will be reduced and thereby an inner space will be provided for the growth of the finer emotions and virtues: for loving-kindness and compassion, for contentment, patience and forbearance.” Such finer emotions and virtues surely represent a fine base from which skillful intent and actions in the world can occur. It is the gradual replacement of unskillful intentions and acts with skillful ones in Buddhism that puts an end to the generation of negative karma and suffering.