Ex. with clothes pin. Dependence upon cause and conditions, upon parts and upon mere imputation. Separated to three parts - where did it come from? Comes from our minds. We created it, doesn't come from the three parts. Depends on imputation.
Basis of imputation if the person - body and mind, there is an idea of the person – the real root of our suffering. We think there is a real person here existing independently, when actually it's mere imputation of the mind and body. Then we understand emptiness - lack of the person. A person is dependant. It's like with a dream. All this helps to realize emptiness.
Boat on the river, turn around, go against the stream – that’s what we need to do with our minds.
"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom". Viktor E. Frankl
Counteracting the afflictions. Three lines on defense
1. Avoidance.
- Physically remove oneself from object. Ex., alcoholic - stay away from the object. Problem of this antidote - we can't be around the object n not have affliction.
- Mentally distance oneself, "be like a log" - piece of wood doesn't react to what's happening around. Not creating the strengh of mind but aware. Calm the delusions while meditating.
Start from the physical aspect n then develop the second.
2. Reframing through temporal antidotes, three methods:
- Recall impermanence. All the things are constantly changing. Foundation of buddhism
- Reflect on the disadvantages of these negative states of mind. Not obvious with some cases, ex. attachment but it's a powerful tool - to see the disadvantages
- Apply specific antidotes that counter that particular affliction. Ex., We can't have light when there is darkness
3. Undermining through ultimate antidote.
Specific antidotes
Attachment or desire
- The object never lasts. We ate cake and we had to have another one. Not lasting happiness. Nature of impermanence
- The uncertainty of object. If we are grieving and having a cake, might not bring much pleasure at all. People we are attached to - sometimes they make us happy, sometimes - miserable. No rule they will always bring us happiness
Attachment:
- only feeds the dissatisfied mind. Like drinking salty water. Advertisement is based on this idea - have the new phone.
- gives rise to other negative minds (jealousy possessiveness, anger, insecurity, disappointment)
- keeps us in samsara
- distracts us from achieving realizations on the path (liberation, enlightenment)
- Become aware of the unattractive aspects of the object
- Reflect on the fact that you will ultimately have to separate from the object. Sobering thoughts. "This watch that I used to have" - a teacher talks about the watch he is wearing now. He is training his mind
We can't overestimate qualities of karma/Buddha, we can't be attached to it. It might be admiration.
For some might be enough to avoid the object. In some cases you need to try all methods.
Anger or aversion
- The situation can and eventually does change. This too shall pass
- Anger can have negative effects on the people around you and even cause you to harm them
Anger can destroy much of the positive karma we've created
- Anger blocks us from cultivating positive qualities like love and compassion, and thus keeps us from making spiritual progress
- Observe this as evidence of the suffering of samsara
- Reflect on karma, that it is impossible for you to experience this unpleasantness if you had not created the cause - that could keep us from getting angry. Ex., you left the fridge open. We have left ourselves open for others to hurt us. No need to be upset with ourselves. Be patient in the moment.
- See anger and aversion as a chance for you to practice patience
- With regard to people who are harming you, try to put yourself in their place
- People you see as having faults you wouldn't see them if you didn't possess them yourself. We have those faults to some degree
- When we are angry, cultivate compassion and love for them, recalling how they will suffer in the future as the consequences of the actions
Fear is close to anger and aversion. We want things to be a certain way, anticipation of changes.
Pride or self-importance (what we know or possess)
- No space to learn anything
- Isolated and others think poorly of them
- Look down on others, karma gets you - you have the same experience
Remedy:
- Reflect on the things about which you know very little
- Reflect on the qualities of others that you don't have
Third difficulty - eliminating the afflictions. Third line of defense.
All negative emotions are rooted in ignorance. To know how things actually exist, that will be an antidote. Ex., a child thinks there is a monster in the room. Ignorance is like the root of a tree. How to eliminate ignorance: to study, contemplate and meditate.
