One curious thing about the mind is its ability to automatically reset to default settings. When we are distracted or when we are blown off balance, after the initial freak out, we return to where we most often rest our attention.
This is an important key for those of us who want to know Truth. It is a clue to how the mind and our experience of reality works.
On the path of Trikaya Buddhism, this feature of the mind inspires us to practice. We know sitting on the meditation cushion in silence and the effort we put into training our mind through mindfulness games will be rewarded. We discover for ourselves that after we have put in the time to train our mind, we create a new default setting.
In the beginning, we focus on beauty and gratitude. Over and over, we return our attention to the small and large moments of beauty and gratitude throughout our day. While everyone is different, for some it can take only a few weeks before they develop this new default. We may have had a habit of seeing the worse in any new experience. Then after meditating and practicing mindfulness for three weeks, we suddenly find ourselves noticing the brightness or feeling gratitude for the challenge of the new people and tasks we encounter.
After many months or years of practice, we may still spin out into difficult mind states. But because of our training, the beauty and gratitude bubble up to the surface. Not through will or force, but simply through the new settings we have consciously installed with our practice.
As we continue on the Path, the practice takes a deeper turn. Instead of resting the attention on beauty and gratitude, we focus on the space in between thoughts and feelings. This of course is much easier done when we are already in a mind state of beauty or gratitude. There is simply less to think about when we engage these states. In this refinement, we do not cling and we not pull away. We experience whatever arises, and rest in the space in between it all.
From this expanse of Emptiness, our innate Wisdom and Compassion arise. As we see the impermanence of all things, we recognize Wisdom. As we see the interconnection of all things, we come to know Compassion. From this union of wisdom and compassion, we act without selfishness – we naturally act for the whole of Creation.
With practice, this becomes our default setting. When distracted or dismayed or when the body is ill or injured, the mind does its trick and automatically resets. Not by force or willpower, but gently like water finding the way of least resistance. Through our daily commitment, we embody the Path and everyone benefits.
This ability to reset to default settings is within everyone, but learning to utilize for the greatest benefit is a skill. To learn more, join us at Dharma Center of Trikaya Buddhism.
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