There are disciples who retreat quickly... They say, "I
tried my best, but no results!"... And some of them disappoint soon and
try to stop walking in the path of liberation. They give so many excuses. So,
if such thoughts occur to you, what would you do? I thought, it is appropriate
to use this month's Editorial to share some tips and thoughts to inquire about
these matters with awareness, when they arise.
How many years you have spent in School? I mean in Sri
Lanka we spent about 13 years of schooling. At least 200 days out of 365
days... We spent about 5 to 6 hours a day learning related subjects. Likewise,
you may also have spent some years in your junior classes and then high school
etc. My point is, that after all these years when we fail in a subject or
few, did we blame to outside reasons?
If we were weak in a subject at the end of all those 13
years... If we didn't pass the exams... We didn't blame the school or the
teachers... did we? Because, a sensible person would have known that he or she
failed because of his or her lack of devotion. We failed because we did
not devote to finetune things according to the way the teachers had shown to
us. We knew that the more we committed, the more we would get results, and
that's the reason we didn't blame for others.
Not only the time of schooling, think about anything which
you have dedicated your time, effort and everything to achieve something you
really wanted. Think about the time & effort you put to have a
successful life. From preparing the meal to every bigger thing in your
life, you would know that results come according to the way you committed to
that certain matter correctly.
But then when it comes to the path of liberation, some of
you who listen to sermons and claim to be on the path to Nirvana, always
complain, "Where are the results of this path...? why aren't I still not
getting anything...? is the teaching right or not...? is the preacher right or
not ...? Maybe I did not have enough merit nor wisdom... no use of putting
effort... no wisdom... etc... etc..." As you see many are so hurry
to abandoning the dedication.
Now if you feel the same, if you come across such
devastating thoughts like these which harms to your path of liberation, there
is this investigation which you should do.
Examine, how sincerely you listen to the teachings every day
and how you apply them to your life with awareness and wisdom. When asked
to examine how you do these sincerely, it doesn't count the way you do it
lightly.
For an example; most of the time many are listening to the
recordings of a teaching while doing other activities... may be driving... or
may be cooking or may be even while going to sleep. Did you learn or
study your subjects in school like this? It's like playing some
background music while doing something very important… only difference here is
that the background score itself is the important thing which you should
focus. How on earth you believe that you will get the results after
listening to a deep teaching in such manner?
And again, when asked to meet the noble friends whom guide
you, you always keen on doing online meetings. Not dedicated enough to
find a time or effort to meet them in personally by paying a visit. Let's
say even once a month you do pay a visit to meet the teacher or friends who
guide you in the path, but then examine how your focus was? The focus is all
over the place or something you heard or read in the past or may be something
else in your life. See, how you are missing your sincere
dedication! That’s why that kind of a dedication doesn’t count here!
So, my dear dhamma friends! Be wise… Be sincere for what you are doing! Coz you can! And then you can see how fruitful your dedication is! Have a blessed time!
