how are you caring for your mind? 

 

My teacher, Sayadaw U Tejaniya, likes to ask: How am I going to look after my mind today? 

 

Most of us are working hard to take care of ourselves in the midst of a full and busy life. An increasing part of our lives now include spending more and more time looking into computer screens and cell phones and less and less time looking into the faces of people. More time on technology means we are, inevitably, spending less time in physical reality: less time looking at the movement of clouds; less time holding physical paper, feeling the heaviness of a book; less time getting in and out of oceans or lakes; less time paying attention to listening and seeing and feeling and tasting and touching. 

 

It's no surprise, then, that we're also experiencing more anxiety, more depression, more confusion and more loneliness. 

 

Given these conditions, it's reasonable to ask: Who is taking care of your mind? 

 

Maybe we could agree, then, that meditation is an invaluable tool – an  ancient practice for looking after your modern mind.

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do you know that you have a mind? 

 

In order to truly take care of this mind, we first need to know that we have a mind. How often do you remember that you have a mind? How often during the day do you feel inwardly curious: how is my mind doing right now? 

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On the cushion, and in daily life, here's what we know: the mind can get imbalanced, overwhelmed, confused. It can also feel kindness, patience, joy and ease. Sometimes at the same time.  

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we want to feel relaxed (right up front). 

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We want to feel clear about how to practice with awareness – on the cushion, and in our lives, so that ideally, we can cultivate awareness (+ wisdom) all day long. As Sayadaw U Tejaniya says, from the moment we wake up until the moment we go to sleep. In this way, we want awareness to feel sustainable and effortless. We want to feel relaxed at the beginning of meditation – as a pre-condition – not just at the end. 

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knowing awareness + wisdom. 

 

At the heart of our ability to cultivate the mind, is knowing the difference between being aware and not being aware. This is key. Many people think about awareness. But not all of us know how to experience being aware. 

 

Awareness is a quality of mind that we can know directly. It is essential for the development of wisdom.

Over time, and practicing in this relaxed way, we can begin to feel the momentum of awareness (+ wisdom) in every aspect of our lives. From being a parent to being in a boardroom, to being at the grocery store. When awareness + wisdom become more readily available, we start to notice a steadiness, a confidence, a fullness to our lives, that isn't dependent on conditions staying the same, being within our control, or going our way.

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dhamma books.

 

Sayadaw U Tejaniya Books:

Dhamma Everywhere

When Awareness Becomes Natural

Relax & Be Aware

Awareness Alone is Not Enough

Collecting Gold Dust

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In Love with The World – Mingyur Rinpoche

The Heart Sutra: Prajnaparamita – Thich Nhat Hahn

The Wisdom of No Escape – Pema Chodron

 

other books.

How to Be An Adult – David Riccho

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apps + podcasts. 

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Ten Percent Happier podcast with Dan Harris

Happier app

Waking Up app 

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websites.

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ashintejaniya.org

alexissantos.io

dharmaseed.org

audiodharma.org

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email inbox. email inbox.

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The Daily Tejaniya – sign up HERE

Ajahn Sucitto, DhammaTracks – sign up HERE

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​meditation retreats.

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Barre Center for Buddhist Studies

Insight Meditation Society

Vallecitos Retreat Center

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retreats with susa.

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TBD.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​