Sample Contemplations

I

Can we be compassionate with ourselves when we don't meet our expectations for practice? If we have compassion for ourselves and greet each moment with right view (understanding things as they are) we diminish conditioning in the next moment and lessen our suffering.

Can you meet this moment with right view and with compassion?

II

Compassion for people we don't like reduces our own suffering immediately. But is it possible to be compassionate toward a person we really don't like?

Try it now and see what happens. What arises and what passes away?

Recall a recent experience that brought up agitation, tension, stress, discomfort or anger. Perhaps someone who cut ahead of you in line or who was annoying you by making loud sounds. Investigate silently for a few moments with kindness and curiosity, not judging but trying to understand.

What happens when you find yourself mentally or emotionally activated? Where is the mind hooked or captured? What gets stirred? What is it like when equanimity is absent? What is it like when you experience it right now, in this moment?

I

Think about getting something you want or not getting it. Something specific. What is happening now? How does it feel in your body? How does it change? Follow the awareness rather than the object.

“These qualities among people are impermanent, transient, and perishable.” Are they? How can you tell from your present-moment experience? Use your powers of mental discernment to investigate.

II

"With nothing to attain the bodhisattva depends on Prajna Paramita (the perfection of wisdom) and her mind is no hindrance. Without any hindrance no fears exist."

~ Heart Sutra

Is there a part of you that is unaffected by feelings about success and failure? Can you connect to it? Where is it now? What is it? How does it feel? What strengthens it? When is it less accessible?

Am I able to receive the ease that is freely available in this moment?

Can I detach from the desire for pleasure, even for pleasure in relationships and the desire to be liked?

Am I supported by my practice in this relinquishing, release, liberation from desire?

Can I accept happiness?