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The practice of deep listening – the story of the mosquito
There was a young man who was so captivated by the beauty of a woman that he disregarded his family’s warnings about her bad habits. After marrying her, he suffered greatly; when his wife died, he was left in a state of living death. Thanks to a wise spiritual friend who used three drops of blood to breathe life back into her, he thought he had found happiness. But unexpectedly, his wife changed, left him for a wealthy man, and he went searching for her again. When he finally found her, she gave him back the three magical drops of blood, and he died instantly. The wife turned into a mosquito, wandering the four directions in search of those three drops of blood, but she could never find them again. This story reminds us not to let outer beauty, fame, or profit cloud our minds: true happiness lies in solidity and loyalty with each other, in genuine love, not just fleeting infatuation.
Next, we learn the six paramitas (pāramitā), the path that leads us from the shore of suffering to the shore of happiness:
- Dāna pāramitā – giving not only material things, but also offering solidity, freedom, freshness, and fearlessness to our loved ones.
- Śīla pāramitā – living according to the Five Mindfulness Trainings, protecting ourselves and our environment, creating trust and peace.
- Kṣānti pāramitā – practicing forbearance, nurturing compassion, deep listening (deep listening) so that others may suffer less.
- Vīrya pāramitā – diligent practice to transform negative energies, cultivating wholesome aspirations.
- Dhyāna pāramitā – generating the energy of mindfulness through breathing, sitting meditation, walking meditation, so that body and mind become calm and concentrated.
- Prajñā pāramitā – wisdom that deeply understands the Four Noble Truths, the four kinds of nutriments (edible food, sense impressions, volition, consciousness), illuminating reality and bringing forth true love.
Practicing these six paramitas in daily life—through our breath, our smile, our mindful speech and actions—will help us overcome anger, anxiety, and doubt, and build a happiness that is stable and enduring.