Conquering the self in practice is not just about rites and rituals. It’s seeing every moment of every day as an opportunity to continually define and refine. Entering The Path have a great post on this that really hits home. Some of this is quoted below.
In practice sometimes I think we fight against reality, we fight against what is taking place or try play it down. What I find is that when we come into line with actual reality, we then feel more at peace with the situation, as well as enabling the chance to change the situation.
“The wise select what is of value, and discard that which is harmful.
I don’t mean to discount the importance of loving-kindness, meditation, or equanimity. All are necessary. Its just that ethical training, renunciation, discipline, diagnostic self-inquiry, and unshakable resolve are just as vital.
We should recognize that defilements do exist in the world. However, we can free ourselves from them. Whatever you want to call this act of overcoming, it ends transformation.
It is not possible for all beings to instantly evolve, to achieve enlightenment without resistance. First, we must recognize our defilements, resist them, then finally free ourselves. Resistance is not repression. We don’t seek to push negative mindsets to the bottom, but to replace them with positive mindsets. If there is no decision made to stand against our faults we cannot hope to unburden ourselves from them.”
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Thank you ETP for a fantastic teaching, metta to you.
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