Let's spend a few minutes just settling down our mind and bringing into our mind a positive intention,
A positive motivation.
So I invite you to find a comfortable position.
You can sit cross-legged or in a chair.
Try to keep your back straight.
That helps your mind to be more clear and focused.
But at the same time,
Be relaxed.
Try not to have tension,
Tightness anywhere in your body.
If there is any tension,
See if you can let it melt and flow away,
Flow out of you and disappear in the ground beneath you.
Let your breathing flow in and out in a natural rhythm without controlling your breathing.
And let your mind settle down.
That means letting go of thoughts about the past or about the future or other places or problems.
Put aside all such thoughts for now.
Just let your mind be in the present right here,
Right now,
Focused on what we are doing.
So paying attention to your breath flowing in and out,
To sensations in your body is a helpful way of settling the mind in the present,
The here and the now.
So just do that for a few moments.
Bring into your mind a feeling of altruism,
Kindness,
Caring for others.
So this is something that arises naturally,
Spontaneously.
When we hear about people who are suffering,
Who are in need,
Who are going through difficulties,
Naturally we feel concern for them,
Touched by the difficulties they're experiencing and wish we could help them to relieve their suffering,
Restore them to a state of peace and happiness.
So see if you can get in touch with that feeling.
And it's wonderful to have the wish to help others and to do things that will be beneficial for others.
But it's also important to take care of ourselves,
Take care of our own minds,
Try to ensure that our minds are in as positive a state as possible.
Otherwise,
There's the danger that even though we try to help others,
If our own emotions come up strongly and get out of control,
We might get angry,
Upset,
Get into quarrels,
Conflicts with others,
Or feel jealous of others.
So disturbing emotions can arise in our mind.
So it's important that we also take time to take care of our own mind.
And that's really what Buddha's teachings are all about,
How to work with our mind,
How to manage our disturbing thoughts and emotions so they don't take over and lead us into unskillful behavior,
And how to increase the positive qualities of the mind,
Such as compassion,
Love,
Wisdom,
Understanding things as they are,
Skillful means when it comes to helping others,
Doing things in the world,
And so on.
So see if you can think or feel that you're doing this not just for your own sake,
For your own benefit,
But so that you can be more beneficial to other people,
Other beings,
And to the world.
You
