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Santa Monica Public Talk
Mindfulness is the energy that brings the body and the mind back together, allowing one to be fully alive and present. Life is available only in the here and the now; the past is gone and the future is not yet there. By practicing mindful breathing, one stops thinking and becomes available to the wonders of life, such as a sunset or a loved one. This practice extends to daily activities like drinking, walking, and cleaning, transforming them into deep experiences. The teaching of Drishta Dharma sukha vihara signifies living happily in the present moment, recognizing that conditions for happiness are already sufficient. By touching parts of the body—such as the eyes, the heart, and the liver—with mindfulness, one generates insight and compassion, leading to healing and the cessation of harmful habits that damage well-being.
In Buddhist psychology, seeds in the store consciousness manifest as mental formations in the mind consciousness. When a seed of negative energy like anger arises, the energy of mindfulness recognizes and embraces it without fighting, acting like a mother holding a crying baby. This process relies on non-duality and non-violence, utilizing Shamatha (stopping, calming) and Vipashyana (looking deeply). One looks deeply into the nature of Dukkha (ill-being) to identify the source of nutriment that brought it about. The Four Noble Truths are: ill-being, the nature of ill-being, the removal of ill-being, and the way to remove ill-being. Just as a gardener transforms garbage into compost to nourish flowers, one can transform pain and sorrow into understanding and love. This contrasts with running after objects of craving—wealth, fame, sex, and good food—which are like a bone without meat and cannot satisfy true hunger.
To love is to offer one’s true presence, and mindfulness is the essence of this offering. There are four mantras to practice in relationships:
- “Darling, I am here for you.”
- “Darling, I know you are there, and I am very happy.”
- “Darling, I know you suffer. That is why I am here for you.”
- “Darling, I suffer so much. I don’t understand why you have done that to me. Why you have said that to me. Please help.”
The fourth mantra is essential for overcoming pride, as illustrated by the tragedy of Mr. and Mrs. Truong, where silence and wrong perception led to despair. When anger arises, one should practice mindful breathing and communicate suffering within twenty-four hours, potentially using a written note to ask for help. Taking refuge in the Sangha, the community of practice, supports this art of mindful living. The Dharma possesses three characteristics: Sanditthika (dealing with the present situation), Akalika (not a matter of time), and Ehipassiko (you can come and taste it directly).