December 2008:

READINGS:

Suggested reading includes Chapter 17, The Wise Heart.

Additional Readings:

Jon Kabat-Zinn, “What is my job on the Planet with a Capital J?”

Gil Fronsdale, Chapter 16 of The Issue At Hand

Bhikkhu Bodhi, Chapter 3, The Noble Eightfold Path

12/7/08

Talk on Intention and Motivation in Buddhist Psychology, Podcast

12/3/08 

Hello everyone,

as I mentioned on Sunday, December we will be exploring the topic of Intention,

both on a moment to moment sense as well as in a broader sense. 

Chapter 17 is a good place to start with thinking about intention.

Someone mentioned setting the intention to be mindful of intention

throughout the day. this can be a wonderful practice - but careful not

to become to analytical about it.

For instance, yesterday evening I was driving and had the urge to reach my right hand out and turn on the radio. Often I might not even be aware of the urge, I might just do it a bit habitually and mindlessly. But this time I noticed to urge and I made a simple mental note "intention, intention," referring quite simply to the intention to act in some way. I then asked myself, "what else is happening now?" and I let go of analyzing and just allowed my awareness to be mindful in the body. Then I noticed some aching in my chest and a flutter in my stomach and recognized this readily as anxiety so I made the mental note, "little anxiety, little anxiety." So in this case it seems that the underlying motivation behind the urge to turn the radio on was to alleviate some of the anxiety I was feeling. At that point I continued to be mindful of my body and the moment as I was driving, and the urge to turn on the radio actually faded.

So the aim here is to simply shed some light on what is normally an automatic process. Sometimes it is obvious as to where the intention to act is coming from (like anger at someone), sometimes it is not so obvious. But just being aware of the fundamental "about-to-do-something" mental moment, is a huge step in cultivating mindfulness. So what I would encourage is that you pick a couple things, such as talking with someone, or driving the car, where you train the mindfulness on the "about-to" moment, the basic intention to act. For instance if you are in a heated conversation, you might notice the building urge to blurt out something like, "your just a stupid a--h---." That would be a good time to make the mental note, "intention, intention" and then to pause, and ask yourself, what else is happening right now, and then ground your attention in the body, feel the heat of your frustration, the tightness of your anger, etc. Notice how the intention to speak is arising out of anger. Feel it. And if you blurt it out anyways, then be mindful of that, and the after effects of that.

The other level of intention is what Jack refers to as dedication. What motivates us throughout our days, weeks, and lives to get out of bed in the morning and be in this world.

What is it that is truly important to you? for what is a life worth living? If you look back on this past year, do your actions and decisions reflect these fundamental priorities or not? one lofty intention is the bodhisattva vow, something Jack talks about in Chapter 22. Dedicating ones life to awaken fully for the benefit and welfare of all beings. How does that sit with you? What sort of dedication might feel more authentic and resonant with you?

This is something I encourage you to reflect on, and I intend to reflect on this quite a bit this month. One way is to actively think about it, another way is to get settled in meditation and then pose the question, "what really matters to me?" or "what do I want to do with this precious life?" Then let go of thinking actively, settle in on the breath and body, and just notice what arises in your meditation. Or pose the question to yourself before you drift off to sleep, or first thing when you wake up.  Once  you find something that resonates and inspires you, you might consider ways to incorporate it into your daily practice, so that you remember to remind yourself of this motivation every day, so that it can permeate your life. (we will talk about this further, later in the month).

Here is a quote, to that end, that I find inspiring, and perhaps you will too if you don't mind the god reference:

"Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evenings, how you will spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love and it will decide everything."

Pedro Arrupe