Sometimes our "negative" habits (like anger, pride, jealousy, craving etc.) seem to come up like a cyclone out of nowhere. Often we might feel powerless to change them, let alone even notice that we are in the grip of what the Buddhists would call a "klesha" attack. "Klesha" may sound like Yiddish, but it's actually Sanskrit for an obscuration, or perhaps, in a more contemporary sense, a neurotic upheaval. Below are five steps toward recognizing and cutting the momentum of negative habitual patterns and klesha attacks.
1) Recognition
Often, as our "negative" habit takes hold of our mind, we are not aware of the process. The habit just sweeps in with its entourage of storyline, emotional charge, justification and ignorance of other behavior options that might be available to us.
The key, then, is to be able to "wake up" and actually notice that a klesha attack has seized control of our state of mind. It is like waking up in the middle of a bad dream: we still feel the mood and tone of the dream, but we recognize that we were dreaming and that now we are awake. Our perspective has shifted. We were cloudy, but now we are clear about what is actually happening.
2) Interrupting
With this clarity, we have the option of either going back into the grip of our habitual pattern or interrupting it (i.e., not going back into the grip of it). We need to create some kind of antidote to the energy and strength of the habit. Sometimes this antidote can come from stabilizing our mind through various meditation practices, having insight arising from seeing the situation more clearly, or simply longing for more freedom and openness. In Tibetan, the word for renunciation is the same as the word for nausea; we are simply sick and tired of being in the grips of familiar "negative" emotions.
3) Changing Habits
At this point we really do have a choice. We can, as mentioned above, resume and continue to dwell in our habitual pattern. Alternatively, although It takes awareness and effort, we can actually change that pattern for a more "positive" one -- for example, we can substitute patience for aggression -- or we can just stay in the space of present awareness, leading to:
4) Dissolving
If we stay in the space of present awareness, maybe by feeling our breath, current sensations or just relaxing our mind, the habitual pattern that came up will simply dissolve into that space (for the time being), until additional causes and conditions make it surface again. Resting our mind in this way can provide a needed break from the melodrama and depletion that comes from riding the waves of our kleshas.
5) Transforming
Recognizing that the pattern is basically counterproductive and destructive, we can also recognize that within the experience there is a certain quality of wisdom shining through, like a jewel glistening in the middle of a cow patty. For example, perhaps we are angry and resentful, but within that we might have a certain insight about something that is not working and needs changing and thus realize that we can address it without the thick, swirling fog of anger. It's as if our thoughts were in a whirlpool, but by understanding the nature of water, we can allow the turbulence to transform into a stillness that accurately reflects the situation.
In a similar way, we might also be able to see that in our craving there is the potential for experiencing the richness of our situation as it already is; in our passion and attachment there is the potential for experiencing compassion and communication; in our envy and competitiveness there is the opportunity to experience real accomplishment and brilliance; in our ignorance there is the potential to experience some relaxation (i.e., the absence of compulsion and hyperactivity).
Transforming is perhaps the most advanced approach. Within that approach there is nothing discarded, nothing rejected. We are able to see the natural wisdom shining through the filter of our confusion.
So, this is one way to work with the more difficult tenants in our inner landscape, strong habits and "negative" emotions. If you are moved to give it a try, let us all know how it works out. In any case, some form of meditative or contemplative practice can be very helpful in just introducing that little extra "space" into our overcrowded mind, therefore allowing us to shift our direction and energy.
Your thoughts?
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Jon M. Sweeney: A Contemplative Life: The Final Stage of Spiritual Pilgrimage
David Nichtern: Recovering the Joy in Your Life
Where would you start to find insight and what specific thought processes are you suggesting be the guide to inner peace and self-awareness?
These are very deep questions you are asking here and perhaps go beyond the context of a blog like this.... the first thought that comes to mind is, when we feel that perhaps we are in deep trouble, reaching out and seeking help can be a good thing. That would be the role of a teacher in this tradtion or perhaps a therapist or counselor in our western tradition. Friends and mentors along the way are essential for all of us..... those are my thoughts.... please feel free to continue the thread of these comments if you like.... sending best, David N.
I do think that sharing the concept of the kleshas is valuable. It is my belief that the most important klesha to understand is "avidya" or ignorance. We can get into the habit of staying in an undesirable mind state such as anger, and through ignorance of the mental, emotional, and physiological damage that results from that state we have no reason to break the habit. When we gain wisdom we can choose not to be angry and understand that our habit of anger is just a habit and can be transformed into a habit of something else, such as compassion.
out of curiosity.... what is it about this website that makes your blood boil... what is the actual perception you are having ... is there any validity in the perception....? maybe there is, but is the blood boiling serving that insight? Just a few thoughts....
In any case, blood boiling is not all that bad.... at least you know you are alive and responding... better than eye glazed over and feeling numb, no?
All best, DN
Thanks for your contribution Keith.... good to hear from you.... DN
All best, DN
drat! surely i can find something here to argue with in order to avoid that . . . ;-)
Thanks for writing in.... your meaning definitely comes through ... don't be afraid to keep being poetic!
DN
Stage 5 was a little complex, approaching the kind of speech used with one more familiar than I am with your discipline and skills. The 'jewel' and 'natural wisdom' seem to have connotations that give them meanings not available to the uninitiated.
Thanks for this. I will read it again.
And compassion is so essential... you're right about that.... nothing happens without it.... DN