CMC Tuesday Online Sitting Meditation Sharing

During the most recent online Tuesday sitting session, Venerable Chang Zhai asked us some questions: "Why should we cultivate?" "What does becoming a practitioner mean to us?" The questions got me thinking, and I realized the questions are important in the way of cultivation. Cultivation is not a journey that always goes smoothly. We meet obstacles much more often than expected. Right motivation is essential during this time, helping us to keep practicing constantly and move forward.

The motivation for practice is inseparable from the mind of renunciation. Many practitioners, including myself, started learning Buddhism and meditation because we encountered difficulties or experienced suffering in our lives. Suffering tortures us, but it also shatters our illusions, letting us deeply realize how fragile so-called prosperity is. It also forces us to face our vexations and find a way to solve them.

Renunciation doesn't mean escape or hiding. It is associated with wisdom. Realizing that suffering is everywhere, that everything is impermanent, and that all vexations come from within, we become willing (sometimes desperately) to get rid of suffering and practice according to the teachings of the Buddha and the great masters. We try to improve the power of stillness and wisdom, generate wisdom from the practice of stillness and concentration, and dissolve vexation and suffering through wisdom.

Then, we may be able to develop the ability to behave with composure in the face of crisis. The suffering we encounter doesn’t work as resistance, but as motivation towards the way to liberation. It helps us generate wisdom and compassion. Not only do we benefit ourselves, but we also help sentient beings get rid of suffering.

At this moment, we might experience peace and joy, feeling that we deal with daily issues appropriately, or receive praise from other people. This may strengthen our faith in Dharma but we should not stop there. By deepening our practice, we may become aware of even subtler vexations and naturally generate humility rather than arrogance. Obstacles are inevitable-- we may struggle, feel fatigued and doubt the meaning of cultivation. It would be a pity to give up at this moment. Going uphill is usually harder. Obstacles are like a mirror, helping us to clearly realize our weaknesses and then overcome them accurately with great diligence. With this contemplation, even though I realize I did not do well enough, I still never give up on improving.

Two and a half years have passed so quickly. As the COVID pandemic is becoming less severe, sitting meditation sessions are gradually transitioning from online to in-person. This is a wonderful opportunity. I am very grateful to the monastics, lay teacher, and volunteers and will never forget their efforts in arranging the online sitting practice and supporting each other during such difficult times. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone face to face at Chan Meditation Center in the future, learning and growing together, just like before.

Article by Hang Yeung

Photo by CMC