The best way to achieve emotional stability, freedom from hatred, self-hatred, craving, and all the suffering that controls us, is to deeply and truly desire these things for everyone.
Earlier this month I started a course in the six paramitas. These are qualities, like the four immeasurables (compassion, loving-kindness, joy and equanimity) that cultivated, over time, become bodhicitta, the spontaneous and natural love of all beings.
It's been such a busy year, which I can see by how little I've been writing. Once again success threatens to derail my spiritual development. But it's certainly not the self-sabotage I've seen in the past. I'm still managing to meditate every day.
This weekend, I've decided to retreat and log some hours. I've signed up for Vipassana in the fall, a 10 day retreat. I want to be ready for that, but also I'm feeling the build up of work related emotional poisons. A lot of envy, pettiness, need to control. I don't want to add to the confusion that already exists. I need a strong heart and clear vision. For myself, and for everyone that I work with.
Wanting for other people, the same things that I want, happiness, freedom from suffering adds power to my wanting. It has a massive impact on my practice.
