Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Intention: Cultivating Appreciative Joy

 


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RIGHT INTENTION
Cultivating Appreciative Joy
Whatever you intend, whatever you plan, and whatever you have a tendency toward, that will become the basis on which your mind is established. (SN 12.40) Develop meditation on appreciative joy, for when you develop meditation on appreciative joy, any discontent will be abandoned. (MN 62) 

The purpose of appreciative joy is to ward off discontent. (Vm 9.97)
Reflection
It is so easy to feel discontent. There are lots of things, both within and around us, with which we can find fault. But the mind does not have to go there. It may do so on its own, but we can intervene and change the focus of our mind. Choose to turn your attention to all the things within and around you about which you can feel good. Seek out goodness and you will find it. This is a practice in itself.

Daily Practice
The next time you experience discontent, deliberately cultivate appreciative joy—gladness at the good fortune of others—as an antidote. Everything need not always be about us. Other people deserve to feel happy and have good fortune, and even if we ourselves are in the doldrums for some reason we can vicariously experience the well-being of others. Appreciative joy is always accessible; we merely need to reach for it.    

Tomorrow: Refraining from Harsh Speech
One week from today: Cultivating Equanimity

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