“This [dhamma] will be for your happiness; for your well-being,” the Tathagata said.
Pondering on what this one or that one has said is following a defilement like a child following a poisonous snake. Despite this truth, I will say something.
Kamma is central to discernment of dhamma. Kamma is action. Dhamma is kamma made effective.
Here, in a few words, is how to produce the right kammic action, and therefore the right dhamma effect:
“Breathe and smile. Soften, don't resist. Be silent. Meditate now.”
These words are the mantra of dhamma. This method is an effective way to end the tyranny of "emotions," which we know as craving, clinging and suffering.
Breathing and smiling I get. I get softening. I am aware of the need to resist. I am unsure of what it means to be silent. But why meditate?
We meditate to end craving, clinging and suffering.
What is craving?
Craving is getting involved in liking and disliking whatever arises in the present moment.
What is clinging?
Clinging is dwelling on involvement in liking and disliking whatever arises in the present moment.
Central to this process of liking and disliking is a chain of arising. “From this comes that.”
This is kamma as action. Within this chain of arising, with the right conditions, from craving comes clinging, from clinging comes becoming.
What is becoming?
We become what we dwell on. If we crave and cling, this is what we become. From becoming what we dwell on, we are born, or “borne,”carried, transported, into this very moment, as suffering beings, infected with craving and clinging. We endlessly repeat this cycle, moment to moment, hence we continue to suffer in perpetuity.
What is suffering?
Suffering (stress, unpleasantness, discomfort, the unbearable burden, the contemptible void, or dukkha in Pali), is being associated with what we don't like.
Suffering is being disassociated from what we like.
Suffering is not getting what we want.
We often imagine what we like, what we dislike, what we want, are “out there” somewhere.
Suffering is not elsewhere. It is right here in what we are clinging onto, right now.
In the experience of body, the feelings, the perceptions, the conditioned actions, the thoughts, we are entangled in a clinging, craving, suffering mess that goes on endlessly.
To end this craving and clinging and suffering, we must breathe and smile. Soften, don't resist. Meditate now.
Once we see for ourselves, we can release ourselves. Come and see. Don't speculate. Find a teacher. Don't worry which teacher. The one you find will be due to your kamma, not your choice!
Follow the instructions. The first instruction of any worthy teacher is to be silent. Stop pondering. Only this good wholesome kamma action (remember, kamma is action) of inner silence will release you from misery. Once you are silent, you will become happy. This is possible. Reassure yourself. This way is the only way. It is your way. It doesn't belong to Buddha, gods, or gurus. It is your inheritance and your good fortune. Enjoy!
