After a long period of time spent fighting with the ox, our yogi has finally come into a balanced relationship between effort and letting go. This month is about learning to see the importance of discipline in practice. It's about discovering what discipline is and coming into right relationship with it. Discipline often gets a bad rap in Dharma communities. It's treated like it's a cold and uncaring submission to a meditative technique. In truth, discipline is a willingness to stay connected to practice. It's about becoming intimate with the ox (your genuine self) and letting go of our resistance to reality.

When you look at the picture and verse, there are some things that are quite telling. First you'll notice that the yogi is walking forward but looking back. Their eyes are on the ox signifying the need for careful attention. This is supported by the first line of the verse, which says that the whip and rope are necessary, else it might stray down some dusty road. You'll also notice the rope is slack and the ox is looking up and forward. This is supported by the second two lines of the verse, being well-trained, it becomes naturally gentle and unfettered, it obeys its master. Finally you'll notice the path is wider and there is forward movement.

All of this points to the importance of discipline. Not harsh or indifferent discipline, but rather wise attention and right effort. Wise attention simply means paying attention to what's happening or better yet, what you're actually doing/feeling. When the mind wanders off, you know the mind has wandered off and you bring it back to the present moment. You keep the mind and body together. This takes persistence and resolve. Right effort is a non-judgmental willingness to return again and again to the present moment. This means learning the difference between control and discipline. This persistent mindfulness brings continuity of mindfulness which leads to concentration and wisdom. It is wisdom that allows us to let go of our resistance to reality. (note: letting go of resistance to reality doesn't mean accepting harmful behavior. It means letting go of wishing harmful behavior didn't exist.)

Now the challenge for this month. I believe this month points to one of the places where spiritual bypass can easily happen. The ox (our true mind/self) will become naturally gentle with the application of persistent mindfulness. Without discipline, we can succumb to a new concept of "being nice/feeling good" rather than awakening. In other words, the ox can go astray and begin to lead us astray. Oftentimes yogis in this stage of practice will meditate and practice to have a good sit, a peaceful state of mind, non-reactivity and more ease in their life. This is all good and I'm not saying we shouldn't want this. I'm pointing to the fact that awakening is not just about this. In truth, we need to stay in the suffering a little while longer in order to awaken. Awakening is about learning to see the possibility of liberation in the midst of difficulty. And that can only happen when there is difficulty.

With a deep bow...

Tuere

Link to June 2, 2022 Dhamma Talk (audio only).