Wisdom & Mindfulness

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Renunciation ~ beholding the truth

Renunciation is a guiding power in the transformation of the mind, one that helps us distinguish truth from fiction.

So, what do we give up when we choose to practice our mind in the Buddhist spirit?

The unrealistic expectations of our mind, the root of suffering.

Without the will to part from present suffering, and the aspiration to reach clarity, we’ll find it difficult to bring our practice to life.

What drives renunciation? the realization that, all our problems are byproducts of a mind clouded by misconceptions.

Renouncing fantasy ~ meeting reality

“Renunciation is not the same as giving up pleasure or denying ourselves happiness. It means giving up our unreal expectations about ordinary pleasures.” Lama Yeshe

Man sees himself as a hero in the story of his life; the hero has dreams and ideals that must be achieved lest he suffers.

In renunciation, we seek to see the distance between ideals and reality, one that claims happiness in the future only if…

We want to see through the filters and tricks of the mind that distort the picture, and cause us to unwillingly hurt others.

As practice advances, you remember to stop and observe without identifying yourself, you take time to assess what is.

You remember to ask, “What have I added that is not there?”, “What do I choose to ignore?”.

Happy ever after¿ only in fairy tales 🙂

Wisdom teaches us that in all things a chance to experience some kind of suffering, an inevitable fact of life.

The law applies to everything, until we face it, we’ll be taken aback again and again.

Insight meditations reveals fantasy as ultimately empty, a collection of speculations at best, one that makes us blind.

True happiness lies right here beneath our feet, within our reach, not in fantasy, if we only open our eyes.

Surrender control ~ stop struggling

“[…] renunciation is seeing clearly how we hold back, how we pull away, how we shut down, how we close off, and then learning how to open. It’s about saying yes to whatever is put on your plate, whatever knocks on your door, whatever calls you up on your telephone.” Pema Chödrön

We say yes, although there’s no guaranty of success, though we’re bound to terms and conditions, and cooperation is tentative.

In the training of the mind, we practice humility, recognizing that we play but a tiny part in a must wider picture.

A picture, we cannot fully grasp as it extends through time and space.

Life gives you lemons make lemonade!

We’re reminded that all things are dependent, affecting and changing one another, including terms and conditions.

We don’t wrestle against the flow, we ask to let-go of our grasping at one outcome or another by force.

We say yes to whatever comes, allowing the elements to come together, focusing on the quality of our actions here and now.

Renunciation and the practice of meditation help widen our field of vision, make us flexible in the face of life’s changes.

Renunciation for the benefit of doubt ~ because I don’t know

“[…] renunciation is making yourself more available, more gentle and open to others.” Chogyam Trungpa

We gave-up fantasy, realized all is not up to us, understand we don’t control conditions, time to let go of the accusing finger.

The one that reads into the intentions of others, like its own, who’s fast to reach conclusions and enter judgment.

In meditation we practice patience, by delaying judgment we don’t fall to impulsiveness, typical to an untrained mind.

It’s not personalॐ

This is not a call to move away from reality, on the contrary, it is a call to take responsibility and cooperate.

We don’t deny there is sickness in the world, but isn’t that sickness shared by all? who’s to blame really¿

Being mindful, you remember that your understanding is as subjective as the view of the one before you.

So we opt to forgive and let-go on the account of doubt, knowing full well we cannot be sure of ones’ intention.

We forgive because people unaware of the weight of their actions tend to act impulsively, out of foolishness and habit.

Renunciation of past grief~benefit the present

“We can see that happiness and suffering come from our mind, not from outside. They come from our positive or negative attitudes in everyday life. It depends on how we think, on how we live our life every day.” Lama Zopa Rinpoche

On the path of renunciation, we work to cultivate what is beneficial to us and to give up what is detrimental to us, to bring ourselves to make the right choice and act accordingly.

In the practice of meditation, we meet an array of emotions and states of minds, some healthy and supportive and others act as toxins on your mind.

All these are in the mind, potential for happiness and future suffering waiting to ripen under the right terms and conditions, if we’re not mindful.

Past and future meet in the present♣

We choose to voluntarily give up negative emotions and abstain from unhealthy mental habits, keep clear from future suffering.

That includes parting from past suffering, which tilts the scale, clouds the mind, pollutes understanding and distorts reality.

When you know that there is poison in the medicine cabinet labelled “toxic! do not drink”, you think twice before taking poison by choice.

Renunciation~let-go of grasping enjoy freedom

“If you wish all happiness, renounce all attachment.” Lama Yeshe

It seems to us that things are immutable, that we know what we want, that we hold the truth and the way to happiness, just as where we will be in the future.

Remember our mind is meant to make mistakes? the same way, we mistakenly believe we can keeps things static.

Truth is, plans do not always develop in the desired direction, people change and leave, terms and conditions are dynamic and surprises always an option.

Renunciation reminds us that in grasping lay hidden suffering waiting to ripen, one we don’t control, holding-on won’t help.

There’s no need…

What matters today, the dreams you hold at heart, the person you love, the positions you protect, will all change over time.

Without the mind’s directives, you can choose wisely, see things “As Is”, leave the door open to change.

Without blinders, you are free♥

Nathalie Bizawi, founder of Wisdom & Mindfulness meditation center. Senior Meditation, Mindfulness and philosophy instructor, From Wingate Academic College. M.A in Education from TAU University, Tel Aviv.

 

Wisdom & Mindfulness your meditation center in Tel Aviv.