What does this mean? Well, to me, in terms of the development of a daily cultivation practice, it means that one has to care enough about oneself to get down to business and do the hard work that it takes.
And I think it's important that we be clear - it's about caring about yourself.
Now ultimately, your practice may look like something that only really benefits others. Or your practice may look like torture on some mornings when you haven't had quite as much sleep as you'd like. Sometimes after a long long week of work, my practice looks like a horrible idea. At these times, i have to remember that it's about caring for myself - that I am the one who will benefit.
In the Tibetan understanding of Karma, they point out a very sad fact - our most natural reactions are usually the ones that are going to give us a world that we dont want. That means, that the tendency to try to do what's going to "feel good" in the moment, is often going to lead us to pain later on.
We can see this in very simple things. If we only did what felt good in the moment, we might end up addicted to horrible drugs, or dishonouring our committed relationships, or some other unsavory manifestation. If we only ate in a way that was satisfying in the moment, we might end up overweight, or with heart disease, or other health conditions. Now, there are some folks who just naturally enjoy honouring their commitments and eating healthy food, but they are a special case (to be explored at a different time) - the vast majority of people in the world seem to be on the other side, attracted toward things which are not especially beneficial for them - you can see this through the things that most people buy, and the costs of health care.
Perhaps this is not you, but if it isn't, then you don't need to read this blog - because you are already firmly established in your regular daily cultivation without fail, and happy because of it. If you are not, then it is likely that you are still sacrificing a greater happiness that takes time for a lesser happiness that you can have right now.
To be totally honest, you have to really know WHY you need to practice, if you are going to withstand all the very valid reasons NOT to on some days. It's really just a matter of logic. Personally, I live in Santa Cruz, and I'm a massage therapist - I'm the kind of guy who would LIKE it to be something that I feel. Unfortunately, i discover that this is not the case.
The emotion of anger is a good example. When someone pushes your buttons, and the fight or flight system gets engaged, it seems perfectly logical to just shout at them, or hit them, or go out and do something that hurts them just a little bit from the feeling side of things. All the feelings in the body are pushing you toward some negative action or thought. There are many people who just act on these thoughts, people who harm others out of impulse.
Among the people who do this type of harm under the influence of their negative emotions - many feel very sad after they cool down. Many of us only recognize the harm we've done when irrevocable consequences come around.
People who act out of impulse in this way are lacking in Enlightened Self Interest.
If you are practicing something worth your time, it is something that is going to save you from pain, increase your skill - improve your entire life. This is worth a bit of sacrifice. How much sacrifice? Well, i suppose it depends upon the practice. Some people sacrifice everything for a practice like dance, martial arts, business - they may sacrifice relationships, ethics, other people, their health. This is not the type of sacrifice I'm talking about.
What if there was a type of practicing that led you to be a brighter light to all those around you. What if it also made you happier and clearer the more you engaged in it? Would not this type of activity be worth letting go of some lesser satisfiers that are just about blowing off some steam in the moment? Would not this type of practice be worth making yourself get up and do it - even if all your feelings are protesting - because you KNOW it's the right thing to do? This is enlightened self interest.
This type of practice is the art of truly caring for yourself at all costs.
action steps:
1. Find out if your practice is worth sacrificing for
2. Observe during each day what type of instincts arise for you - which ones, if gratified would lead to lasting benefit? Which ones would lead to harm?
3. Think out the logic behind dedicating yourself to your personal cultivation. Why is it important? Why should it be upheld no matter what?
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