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Understanding the Mind is the Beginning of Transformation
The first love for the Tathagata is called Bodhicitta, the living flame in our heart that helps us remain steady in the face of suffering and temptation. When Bodhicitta is nourished, we have happiness; on the contrary, when it weakens, we easily fall into passion, anger, and despair. A suitable environment for practice and a harmonious Sangha help us water the seed of Bodhi, keeping our first love strong and allowing it to radiate to others.
The transmission of the precepts and the intimate teacher–disciple relationship are ways to maintain the life vein of mindfulness in the Sangha. Through the eyes of the disciple, the teacher – the elder teacher – the ancestors are present, witnessing and observing our mindful steps. Each step of walking meditation, being fully present with our breath and ease, is an expression of love and a continuation of the tradition of mindfulness.
Mindfulness practice consists of two methods: ■ unguided mindfulness – simply recognizing all activities of body and mind without judging ■ guided mindfulness – focusing the breath and steps with the whole body and mind. The four essential objects of mindfulness are:
- body
- feelings
- mental formations
-
objects of mind (dharmas)
When we simply recognize, we do not shoot the second arrow of worry or fear, we keep the mind at ease in the present moment and transform all mental formations with mindfulness and a compassionate smile.