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Transforming Habit Energy with the Energy of Mindfulness
Habit energy is a mysterious force that silently governs our speech and actions, causing us to repeat mistakes even when we feel regret. To counteract it, we only need simple recognition—when habit energy arises, recognize it and affirm that this energy cannot overpower us. And the energy of mindfulness will take charge and transform habit energy. In daily life, we nourish the energy of mindfulness through simple actions:
- drinking water mindfully
- walking mindfully
- breathing mindfully
- making tea, washing dishes, cooking rice, and washing clothes in mindfulness
The strength of the sangha helps us maintain mindfulness. For example, after three weeks of practice at Plum Village, international practitioners can recognize and smile at the energy of haste and restlessness transmitted by habit energy from their mother, then call it by its true name to return it to the state of a seed. When habit energy manifests, those who love each other can support one another with a gentle reminder: that is a habit energy—“dear, that’s it.” And practice noble silence, refraining from speaking for three days, writing down the words you intend to say in order to nourish right speech.
True love in the Buddha’s teaching is built on four aspects:
- maitri— the capacity to bring happiness to others
- karuna— the wish to transform suffering
- mudita— joy in the happiness of your loved one
- upeksha— non-attachment, non-discrimination
And respecting the freedom of the one you love. At home, we should maintain the Five Mindfulness Trainings, have a small space (a breathing room) with a Buddha statue or a vase of flowers, a bell and mindful breathing to dwell peacefully. Each month, recite the Five Precious Mindfulness Trainings with your family, and each morning before going to work and each night before sleeping, practice three sounds of the bell, breathing and smiling, thus nourishing true happiness and ending the cycle of samsāra of anger and resentment.