In the Sutra in 42 Sections, the Buddha asks, “How long is the human life span?" The Stream Enterer replied, "The length of a single breath." The Buddha said, "Excellent. You have understood the Way." Our lives consist of a series of inhales and exhales with a self-created events that keep us occupied, from the first inhale after birth to the last before death. Some event-moments are enjoyable experiences, some not so much. Some are useful, others frivolous. Some are doing good, some are evil, and some neutral. Regardless of what they are, they’re just filling time.
When we sit on our cushions, it’s easy to focus on those inhales and exhales. That’s what we’re trained to do. Aside from the occasional bout with monkey-mind, sitting and observing the breath is a pretty effective and simple way way not to create these actions. It’s less-often mentioned that those breaths away from the cushion are worthy of our attention too. Not the just breathing per se, but realizing that those distractions we create for ourselves are nothing more than activities subject to causes and conditions and our whims, between and among the breaths. It’s easy for “I, I, I” to come out when all we’re doing is falling prey to our own senses and sensations. We pursue pleasure, avoid pain, get bored when there’s neither. Noticing breathing, and all that entails, can be relegated to the rear when the shiny new object/person/activity catches our eye.
While between the first inhale after birth and the last exhale before death, it is important that we are mindful of the activity we use as filler. Has our focus been on ourselves, or all beings? Have we performed evil deeds or good ones? Have we been lazy and distracted in our pursuit of the Way, or been diligent in our focus? Have we been loving, compassionate, joyful, and even tempered throughout our time? Most important, have we breathed for the sake of just keeping ourselves alive to wallow in sense-pleasures, or for the benefit of all beings?
Haengdal Citta gave the Dharma talk February 21, 2024.
