Seeing that the heart of our practice stems from our motivation rather than from achieving certain experiences. Mindfulness enables us to shift our attitude from self-centered striving to one of confidence in awareness.
The desire for liberation can be a wholesome force in our lives when it is held with wisdom. Looking at ways we can support this motivation helps to call forth heroic or courageous energy.
Our conditioning to resist pain creates trance—we become identified as a small, victimized, threatened self. We have the capacity, through mindful, kind attention, to discover genuine freedom in the midst of pain.
The second foundation of mindfulness is the awareness of pleasant, painful, and neutral feeling. Awareness of the texture of our experiences brings liberation.
Just as seeing-eye dogs (Carrot is one), our minds need training in order to become our guides and allies. To meditate is to train the mind to be insightful, to become a seeing-eye mind.
The bodhisattva path arises out of a love for life. We awaken this love as we realize our belonging to our inner life, each other and the natual world.
In his teachings on dependent origination found in the Upanisa Sutta of the Samyutta Nikaya, the Buddha explained the path in such positive terms as joy, rapture, tranquillity, and happiness.
