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TEACHINGS | EASTERN HORIZON 17

The literal English translation of Abstinence also develops and this support may help us to relax
the fifth precept is “I undertake supports wisdom. Through it we effort that may be too forceful,
the training precept to abstain can better understand how the and thus counterproductive. To
from alcohol, liquor, or spirits that mind works, how it can delude have the loving acceptance of
are a cause for heedlessness.” The us and how it can heal us. We’re community can help us to be
mention of heedlessness points better able to recognize the desire more self-compassionate and
to the way in which intoxication to get intoxicated as an indicator less moralistically harsh toward
involves a loss in care, caring, and that something in our life is out of ourselves. All too often the regular
carefulness. While Buddhism links balance. Are we using alcohol as use of alcohol and drugs ruptures
intoxication with heedlessness a way to deal with stress? Do we relationships, and with them our
and lack of mindfulness, modern drink or take drugs due to social own self-worth; practicing the
psychology discusses this in terms pressure from friends or colleagues precepts in a community of other
of decreased cognitive abilities, who do so? practitioners can be a way to heal
increased attention deficits, and this wounded part of ourselves.
poor judgment. For those walking the Buddhist
path, abstaining from intoxication Practicing with the fifth precept has
Ideally, abstaining from intoxication is a strategy for our long-term a lot to do with being truthful with
is not only about avoiding harm happiness. It is a training in ourselves, which is a very significant
and heedlessness. Abstinence can personal maturation and growth. form of mindfulness. One way we
also be motivated by the personal Rather than relying on short-term can know we’re being truthful is
and interpersonal benefits it brings, pleasures and highs, the Buddhist by having a friend or a community
which can be deeply nourishing. path relies on an increasing self- with whom we can tell the truth.
Any time the desire for intoxicating understanding that brings enduring If you are using alcohol and drugs
substances is strong and we wisdom, on developing compassion and aren’t willing to tell this to
refrain from acting on that desire, that provides ongoing forgiveness, your friend or community, you’re
we strengthen our capacity for and on cultivating personal probably not being truthful even to
renunciation and self-mastery. The strengths that keep us steady in the yourself. Done wisely with people
stronger the desire, the greater face of life’s challenges. who support you, truthfulness is
we need to rely on commitment one of the most powerful supports
and wisdom to avoid giving in to One of the biggest supports for for the fifth precept.
it. Doing so strengthens us. It also abstaining from intoxication is the
can improve our relationships with faith that it’s worthwhile to do so, While some people live by the
family, friends, and others. and confidence that we can do it. fifth precept as a way to avoid the
Such faith and confidence grow dangers that come with intoxication,
By refraining from drinking and best in community with people it’s also helpful to be motivated by
drugs we maintain the mental who inspire it in us. To be around the benefits it can bring. Having
clarity that is essential for others who restrain themselves increased clarity, wisdom, personal
mindfulness practice. Furthermore, from drinking or taking drugs freedom and improved social
mindfulness can be increased by can inspire us to do the same. To relations can provide motivation to
staying alert to the ways in which be accompanied in our efforts by use every act of renunciation as an
desire for substances can get the friends and other practitioners opportunity for much more than
upper hand. Restraining these means we don’t have to rely solely abstention. Renunciation has the
desires strengthens our will power, on our own efforts. If we are power to bring out the best in us.
a faculty that can free us from all less likely to consume alcohol or It is an opportunity for making the
kinds of compulsive desires, not just drugs when we have the support world a better place for ourselves
ones for alcohol or drugs. of others, making sure we have and others. EH