Let the Enjoyment Take Us Forward

We can see how the Buddha says over and over how spiritual practice is something that goes against the ways of the world, goes against the stream of sensuality. So, when we embark on this, it can be a little bit daunting and can seem rather negative – we have to give everything up, be very good, and then we’ll be happy.

This can seem a difficult thing to do; it seems like self-sacrifice, going against our habits. This is because we’re not going about it in the correct way. If we go about it in the correct way, then the Path is a very natural one.

The Buddha doesn’t judge sensuality – this is the first point to understand. The Buddha sees four kinds of happiness – the first one of material wealth and material happiness he sees as a kind of happiness; he doesn’t see that in a negative way.

And yet he sees three other kinds of happiness that are higher: of being virtuous; of the concentrated or trained mind or of mindfulness, sharpness of mind; and that of liberation, a freedom of mind, freedom from suffering. These three kinds of happiness are greater than the first.

And yet he doesn’t encourage us to pursue these through an idea. What he encourages us to do is to begin to practise. So first of all, the sīla - keeping the precepts – keeping the five precepts as a layperson, one begins to enjoy the sense of harmlessness, a sense of self-respect and dignity.

These kinds of qualities coming into our hearts – lack of regret and remorse. Then we can want to do this rather than feel that we should do this – particularly if we’re meditators, particularly if we watch our minds and see the results of unskilful conduct or unskilful thinking.

This is the first main principle then: that we establish ourselves on the spiritual path, we get fruits from that path of one kind or another, and then we let this enjoyment take us forward.

This reflection by Ajahn Kalyāno is from the book, The Thread, (pdf) pp. 2-3.