a story of a small dog

I came upon this story just when I had started to serve long term here at Dhamma Sobhana in Sweden. It had such a powerful impact on me as I realized the absolute truth that we are all dominated by the laws of nature.

If we know the laws of nature and follow them we will live in bliss. If we do not we will experience the hellfire within ourselves (our agitated minds) as nature punishes us for going against it. It certainly humbled me and made me feel even more happy that I am on this path of liberation. Since then I have understood – “If I live a life of virtue, purifying the mind by means of Vipassana meditation, abstaining from immoral behavior – nature will take care of me. This is all I have to do. Nature (Dhamma) will take care of the rest.”

This story is quoted from the book “For the Benefit of Many” by S.N. Goenka. It was told by Goenkaji at Dhamma Mahi in France, August of 1988, on the topic of “How to strengthen a Dhamma center”.

“Here is a little story: A bullock cart owner used to transport goods from one place to the other. This man had a small dog. When he traveled from one village to another, he trained the dog to walk under the bullock cart to avoid the sun’s heat. Wherever they traveled, the farmer sat on the bullock cart but the dog walked below in the shade of the cart.

In time the small dog came to feel that he was carrying the entire burden of the cart, and he wondered why the farmer gave so much attention to the bullocks. He thought, ‘I am carrying the burden of this cart! Wherever we travel, it is over my back. More importance should be given to me!’

Actually, nobody is carrying the cart; the Dhamma is carrying the cart. Nobody should feel, ‘I am the most important person, it is only because of me that the center functions properly. It is only because of me that the teaching is given, that Dhamma spreads.’ Come out of this madness!

Understand that you are simply a vehicle, a tool, and Dhamma is doing its job. If you had not been given this responsibility, somebody else would have taken it and the work would go on. Dhamma is bound to spread now; the clock of Vipassana has struck. You have been given the opportunity to serve in one way or another, and this should not become a cause of inflating your ego.” – S.N. Goenka

This story made me very happy. All we have to do is to train ourselves (in virtue and meditation) to walk in the shade that Dhamma (the cart pulled by nature) provides. Then we are protected from the misery (the sun) of the world. No need to think like the small dog and generate ego. Be happy and grateful nature provides for us when we live in harmony with it!

Walk in the shade – there is no need to burn yourself in the sun anymore!

May you be inspired and happy!
walkthepath

introverted, here and now

“Dhamma is so simple and yet people have made it so complicated. There cannot be anything simpler than Dhamma. It has been made complicated by adding this or that philosophy, this or that belief. Just practise; don’t make it complicated.” – SN Goenka

Life is changing quickly now. Much have happened the last few weeks. I have entered an introverted period as I have sat another 10-day course. I am realizing the limitations of communicating without actually being face to face with people. I have stopped using my cell phone and gotten rid of my digital camera and computer. I don’t do much e-mailing anymore either. This kind of communication has its uses, but it will never be as good as a face to face conversation. Of course, this blog is still important to me.

I am adapting more and more the lifestyle of a monk. Now I know I will be practicing Vipassana Meditation for the rest of my life. Simply because, there is no way I could go back to living the life I lived before. It is like a vail has been lifted from my eyes and finally I am seeing the true world in which we live. My life would be meningless without the dhamma. I want to face this challenge head on, in the present, within myself. Therefore I have decided to stay at the center at least through August.

Day by day, drop by drop, the defilments fade away. After this last course I know I want to eradicate my passions – my sexual desires. Finally I understand. I have been down that road so many times but now I know – it does not lead to happiness. Thanks to daily practice, Vipassana courses and serving I have realized the truth. What a relief it is!!

Thus I have made an adhitthana (a decision of strong determination) – that I will not enter a physical relation with anyone unless there is a great chance that the relationship will last for life. Of course with the natural eradication of passion as a mutual goal. My chances of ever meeting anyone who would want such a relationship are slim. But it does not matter. I am happy on my own.

This adhitthana has created such a calm for me. My mind is so balanced. Not jumping into fantasies about flirting or passionate dreams. When I look at a woman now, she is just another being in this world. And thus the possibility of loving all beings selflessly increases many times over. Passion is such a trap that holds us back from being the saints we could be.

I am becoming so comfortable here at the Vipassana center. The path is very long and I have just taken the first step. I feel so grateful that I am so well prepared for facing this challenge of a spiritual and devoted life. This path is not an easy one, but surely it leads to happiness.

I would never have been here unless so many noble people of the world would have contributed to my life. To all of you I am so grateful. And I would never have been here unless the saints of the past, the Buddha, his disciples and all that followed after, made this path available. The only way to pay back these debts of gratitude is to continue spreading the dhamma around the world so that you and all others also may find the happiness I know.

My metta is with you all,
walkthepath

living a life of dhamma – Vipassana Meditation

Part 1 of 2

 

Part 2 of 2

the first course is over

“Those who are selfish suffer here and suffer there; they suffer wherever they go. They suffer and fret over the damage they have done. But those who are selfless rejoice here and rejoice there; they rejoice wherever they go. They rejoice and delight in the good they have done.” – the Buddha

The first 10-day course as a long term server is over. Yesterday the last students left for the outside world. The remaining servers and I went to Omberg (Mount Om), located close to the center. We took a breath of fresh air as we gazed on the beauty of the vast flat countryside and the mighty lake Vättern (above picture).

Today the sense of calm has settled on Dhamma Sobhana. As the two other servers also staying here and I meditate alone the vibrations of metta keep flowing. I think of all the students we serve, how hard they strive and how much happier they will be. May they find peace. 

Within me there is a growing awareness of anicca – inconsistency. Change, change, change. I’m slowly dissolving into vibrations. Of course I’m still here, but my perception is different. More realistic. I am no miracle worker. All I do is follow the laws of nature which are simple but difficult. Do good and refrain from doing evil. To be able to do this, purify the mind by meditating every day. Easy to understand in theory, hard to practice. Even harder to integrate with every day life. However, if you do live by the laws of nature, life will be simple and fruitful. Happy and peaceful. All you do is learn the true way of life, and so nature will take care of the rest. 

It is such a privilege to serve here. So many opportunities to do good for myself and others. I wish all Vipassana meditators will realize this and come to serve, if only for a few days. It fills you with happiness as it takes you further on the path. Oh, the joy that follows with me where I go.

The center is such a wonderful gift. I am so thankful to those who have been struggling to get it going. Now I can take part. May I pass on an even better center to those who come after. May the light of dhamma and Dhamma Sobhana eradicate the darkness of ignorance. 

May all beings be liberated.

gone long term serving

The dhamma is growing within me like the rising morning sun spreads light and warmth. Often I find myself so full of love that it flows over and I can’t help but smile with my whole heart.

I have changed so much. What a self-centered being I have been, so sad. Now ignorance is leaving my body, drop by drop, every day. I am convinced  that this technique of Vipassana meditation will save our species. It is the actual practical teaching of the Buddha. It has to be. There is no doubt in my mind. I am experiencing the power of it within myself.

I feel very happy and grateful. I am grateful to the Buddha, not only for attaining enlightenment, but also for so selflessly dedicating the rest of his life to teach this technique to others. I am grateful to the chain of teachers who preserved the practice of the Buddha up until this day. I am grateful to all those teachers and students who are again spreading the dhamma around the world.

Tomorrow I am leaving for Dhamma Sobhana. Much happiness follows me where I go. I will serve until June. 

Life has never been so clear. So peaceful. So full of happiness, even when times are difficult. 

I will try to write here every once in a while. There is a 10-day course at Dhamma Sobhana starting the day after tomorrow so I won’t be posting before the 8th of January. 

May you be inspired.