Wake up grateful: an operating manual for coping in perilous times

“Dhyana”. 2018. Watercolor and acrylic on paper. John Barrett 

I wrote this sometime ago, when I felt like I was losing my sense of equanimity and meditative discipline. I find myself at a similar point again and I suspect that I'm not the only person who may feel that way.  For that reason, I'm offering a sort of general version that you may use according to your disposition.

Before going to sleep: dedicate whatever merit or goodness you may have inadvertently accrued to all beings. Simply think (at first, this is all going to be a kind of "intellectual" enterprise; thinking will give way to a generally felt sense of more serious intention and aspiration) that all beings should be happy and are worthy of love. Start with those closest to you, then those to whom you have neutral feelings (the masses of people who you meet momentarily and even those you don't and will never meet), and lastly, even those for whom you hold great antipathy or enmity. These are people who you feel are obstacles to your well-being, either personally, within your social sphere or well-known public figures who have created policies and circumstances that impede positive growth or the happiness of others. This last is tricky, but try it; it does not. mean that you ignore their wrongdoing, but it does mean that you can see the good, the truly human part of them that even they may no longer have access to.)

Upon arising: generate a general sense of well-being for all beings as much as you are capable of - let this be your motivation for awakening, for the day (and eventually, always); express gratitude for this literal awakening and also for the opportunity to fully awaken; if you have a favorite text that sustains you, begin the day with either silently or very quietly reading it. Reflect on and absorb its words, its lessons.

Then, begin your sit. Then begin your movement throughout the day.

The following derives more from a mixture of Buddhist and Daoist practices. They are distilled here to a more general schema.

Remember to pay attention, to be present as fully as possible, to be as fully as possible; and remember that you do not exist only from “your own side.” Try to be aware of the fleeting nature of phenomena; there is nothing to cling to and consequently, nothing to let go of. But because we are constantly taught (erroneously) that "things" are important, "status" of ownership is important, and "having" is more important than being, we cling to what is impermanent. Try to understand this is the case for you, as well; that your personality, your acquired traits are all just that; acquisitions that are no more permanent than melting snow in the sunlight. This is terrifying for the ego, but to whatever degree you can release the grasp of ego-clinging, to that degree you will find greater peace.

Peace and love are not fabricated; they cannot be contrived; they are ever-present and arise unbidden. They have nothing to do with egoism or egotism; when you quit grasping and perceiving the separation of self from Other, you are on your way. In truly loving, there is no self, no other.

Aphorisms for sitting, moving, speaaking:

Before you enter, generate altruistic motivation. As you exit, dedicate the goodness, give your wholeness to others.

Before you speak, generate a good heart. As you finish, let mind be present in silence.

When you walk, each step lasts only a moment, the air that enters the nostrils is not your air; When you stand, the foundation is utter openness,

When you sit, ineffable presence and being obtain; becoming passes ineffably, but maintain compassionate awareness.

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I have found this practice helpful. I know that in my posts, I can write hyperbolically and am often ribald and salty for both effect and catharsis, but this is closer to my operative principles. May it be of use to all.