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TEACHINGS | EASTERN HORIZON 11

I think it’s important for anyone who is practicing to of things? Should I bring in metta? Should I move
occasionally compare how they feel now as opposed to, from my anchor to investigate this feeling of heaviness?
say, two years ago. Looking back and acknowledging Should I drop ‘doing’ and simply rest in presence?
what may have shifted can help cultivate faith and
confidence in the practice and the path. I think of awareness of the middle way as the practice of
self-observation and self-diagnosis. We are constantly
The teachings the Buddha gave were mainly correcting course. It’s like the autopilot on an airplane.
for monastics though there were significant lay When it’s off course, it re-corrects. The result is that over
disciples who also benefitted from them. What a long flight, it spends much of the time off-course, but
aspects of the Buddha Dharma do you find most constantly self-correcting.
relevant for today’s lay followers?
It’s important to note that we each have an extremely
I had the good fortune to live as a monastic for over a sophisticated and intelligent feedback loop provided
decade in a yoga ashram. It was challenging to take from the universe that lets us know when we are off-
the vows of simplicity and, in particular, as a young and course and out of balance.
healthy man in my 20s and 30s, the vow of celibacy.
It’s called suffering!
I am so grateful for those years. I learned so much.
The Buddha encouraged Right Livelihood, but due to
life circumstances and limited opportunities, many
Now in the world, married and with lots of
have to become fishermen, butchers, or soldiers to
responsibilities, my life is different, but in some ways
survive. In such situations, how can one still practice
the same.
the Dharma while waiting for the right opportunities
to change one’s career?
I think of the ‘dharma’ - one’s personal path - as “what
you can’t not do.” Whether we are a monastic on retreat
or living in the world with relationships, responsibilities, When we sincerely ask, ‘What is the most important
and social contracts, the question remains at our core: thing in my life right now?’ that question forces a
“What is the most important thing in this life?” clarification of values. Is it more important to have
a livelihood that does minimal harm or is it more
At one stage for me, the most important thing was important to provide for your family?
monastic practice. Later the most important thing was
to go out into the world and serve. I have noticed that many people, when they start and
maintain a sincere practice, find their life starts to
We often hear that the Buddha taught the Middle change. Old activities, habits, sometimes even their
Way, and not to go to extremes. And Ajahn Chah also friendships might not feel right anymore. They are no
said that to practice in a way that’s peaceful means longer satisfying.
to place the mind neither too high or too low, but at
the point of balance. What is this balance or middle New habits, new friendships, and perhaps a new calling
way we should follow? may arise that were not all interesting before. This can

be a profound byproduct of a meditation practice.
In my view, the ‘middle way’ is a constantly moving
target. It becomes quite obvious when meditating. I like to joke that when you meditate, you feel better. You
Should I use concentration? Should I take the seat of feel your sadness better, your anger better, and your grief
the observer and practice open monitoring of the flow better. You also feel compassion, clarity, and joy better.