Living in Seclusion (37 Practices of a Bodhisattva Number 3)

"Withdrawing completely from things that excite us,
Our mental disturbances slowly decline.
And ridding our mind of directionless wandering,
Attention in virtue will surely increase.
As wisdom shines clearer, the world comes in focus,
Our confidence grows in Dharma we’ve learned.
Live all alone far away in seclusion
The Sons of the Buddhas all practice this way."

Hmm! So what is this all about? In the second stanza we were told to leave our homes, here in the third, we are advised to live in seclusion. So what gives?

I will recall teachings on this stanza. The essence of this stanza, like the previous stanza, is rather harsh. Togmay Songpo tells us that it is best if we live in seclusion – away from society and other people. First, I want to mention why this would be advised.

The initial stages of the practice of a bodhisattva are mixed with many opportunities to break our vows. As Khenpo Sonam taught it is the vow of the Bodhisattva to refrain from negative thinking. As stated in the first line of this stanza, when we withdraw completely from those things that “excite us” our negative thoughts naturally decline. It is through avoidance of the triggers that we can attain some stability in our thinking swiftly. Otherwise, we are faced with a much more challenging task.

Browsing through fashion magazines, for many, will give rise to many unproductive emotions. For some, it may give rise to desire. For others, it may be jealousy. Still others, it may be anger.

My teachers have taught me that there are 84,000 afflictive emotions. However, they can all be bundled into 5 primary negative emotions:

(1) Desire/Attachment
(2) Hatred/Anger
(3) Jealousy
(4) Pride
(5) Ignorance/Wrong Thinking

As a Bodhisattva, we vow to never allow these negative emotions to rise in our minds.

Initially, we must exert much effort to even lessen the arising of these emotions. We must catch them arising and apply methods to rid them from our mind. The most basic method is to change our focus. Change the channel.

When we see the disgusting on TV, we change the station. Turn on a nice comedy sitcom. It is at this level that Gyalse Togme tells us to live in seclusion.

For many of us, it is not realistic for us to abandon our homes, leave our friends and family, and live in seclusion. At least not without, causing much hardship and difficulties for others.

Lama Osel, told me that it is not so very important that you physically go into seclusion if you can put your mind into seclusion. Physically going into seclusion is support for our minds and thinking. However, it is not mandatory or necessary.

In the second section, we are advised to not have our mind (and thinking) wandering directionless. The result is attention on virtue will increase. To focus on the practices and teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha keeps my thinking from wandering without direction.

As we avoid harmful thoughts and increase our meritous thinking, wisdom shines within us and the truth of the world comes in focus. We begin to see the world as it truly is…with wisdom.

While is not possible for me to go into physical seclusion, it is possible for me to place my mind into seclusion. To go on retreat from the those things which give rise to negative emotions/ negative thinking.

Many Dharma Blessings,

Geoff