Our mind plays a crucial role in determining our state of happiness or suffering. It constantly judges and compares, which can lead to negative emotions and dissatisfaction. However, it also possesses the capacity to bring us happiness and contentment if we learn to train and control it effectively.
The metaphor from Shantideva’s “Bodhisattvacaryāvatāra” about walking barefoot on the Earth offers a valuable insight into the practice of meditation. When we walk on rough and coarse ground, it causes discomfort and suffering. One approach to alleviate this suffering would be to smoothen the entire ground, which would require immense effort and energy as we cover vast forests and roads. However, a simpler and more efficient solution is to create leather slippers and wear them while walking.
Similarly, instead of constantly trying to fix our external circumstances to find relief from suffering, we can focus on training our minds through meditation. By practicing meditation, we gain the ability to control our feelings, judgments, emotions, and ultimately our actions. Through mindfulness and self-awareness cultivated in meditation, we can observe our thoughts without attaching to them or being carried away by them. This enables us to respond to situations with greater clarity, compassion, and equanimity, reducing the suffering caused by our own judgments and comparisons.
Meditation allows us to cultivate a deeper understanding of ourselves, develop emotional resilience, and foster a sense of inner peace and happiness that isn’t reliant on external factors. By training our minds, we can transform our perception of the world and find lasting contentment and fulfillment within ourselves.
It’s important to note that meditation is a practice that requires dedication, patience, and consistency. Over time, it can bring about significant positive changes in our mental well-being and our ability to navigate life’s challenges with greater ease and serenity.