Pilgrimages to sacred Buddhist sites led by experienced Dharma teachers. Includes daily teachings and group meditation sessions. A local English–speaking guide accompanies and assists.
Filed in Compassion
What We've Been Practicing For
Turning to practice, Thanissaro Bhikkhu brings us back to the only refuge there is.
And how do you protect others when
protecting yourself?
By pursuing the practice
developing it, devoting yourself to it.
—Shakyamuni Buddha
In times of crisis, we often feel we don’t have the time or energy to practice, but those are precisely the times when the practice is most necessary. This is what we’ve been practicing for: the situations where the practice doesn’t come easily. When the winds of change reach hurricane force, our inner refuge of mindfulness, concentration, and discernment is the only thing that will keep us from getting blown away. When we can be secure in our inner source for true happiness, we don’t expose ourselves to the devastation that comes when outside hopes for happiness and security are dashed. We have our shelter, our place of security, inside. And we needn’t be afraid that this is an escapist shelter. When the basis of our well-being is firm within, we can act with true courage and compassion for others, for we’re coming from a solid position of calmness and strength.
So take heart. Do what you can to help the living, and dedicate the merit of your practice to the dead. We may be powerless to change the past, but we do have the power to shape the present and the future by what we do, moment to moment, right now. And in maintaining our intention to be as skillful as possible in thought, word, and deed, we’ll find the only true refuge there is. ▼
Thanissaro Bhikkhu is abbot of Metta Forest Monastery and the translator of numerous Thai meditation guides. His most recent book is Noble Strategy.
Thank you so much for posting this encouragement. It is heartfelt and seems to speak from true experience. I'm going through a very challenging time in dealing with the failing health of a loved one. Thanissaro Bikkhu's words are like a lifeline right now.
Tara123,
I just read your comments and they really helped me. I am going through a situation similar to you. My family has been torn apart ever since our mom went into a nursing home. Three weeks ago, I had a bitter fight with my two sisters. They sent me some very nasty emails and now we are not speaking at all. I am still really hurt by their comments. I am trying to detach but it's been hard. I am trying to keep the focus on being with my mom and trying to support my dad. I am also trying to be compassionate with myself but I often feel guilty. thanks for sharing.
With strong faith in the Law, we "are not carried away by the eight winds: prosperity, decline, disgrace, honor, praise, censure, suffering, and pleasure. (We) are neither elated by prosperity nor grieved by decline. The heavenly gods will surely protect one who is unbending before the eight winds." Nichiren Daishonin encouraged a practitioner undergoing severe trials in 1277 with these words.
Thanissaro Bhikkhu, I thank you. I'm under verbal attack by a dying friend. It's hard to practice what I've learned and kept in my "tool box" for when bad times come. I cannot fight with him, 'though he seems to want me to do that! Even harder is remembering non-attachment, and knowing he may die before he chooses to speak to me again. Then I read this article, and I began to remember what we are about and what Shakyamuni Buddha means to me. Don't meditate less or sit in a corner and cry, but practice tonglen, meditate, take to heart the Refuge Prayer. Don't attack myself. Let it be. I know I'll be okay, as will my dear friend. I'm here for him if he comes back, and I'm here for him if he doesn't.
Thank you. Thank you so very much.
This article was most timely. Not all disasters come from without. Anyone serving as a caregiver can take refuge in this message and handle all the "right now" moments that arise without warning in ordinary day-to-day occurrences.
Great article. Too often I skip meditation because "I don't have the energy" or "don't feel good" but I guess those are the times I need to practice most.
Once again Thanissaro Bhikkhu speaks to me. Since studying buddhism, I've listened to his talks more often than any other teacher. This morning, I once again came to seek refuge by asking in my little meditation place. I also vowed to sit daily and find a sangha. It might have to be online since there aren't many "real" ones in Northeast Pennsylvania.