Remain in Awareness, But Do Not Hold On to It
The awareness learned in intensive practice should not remain only inside the practice hall. Not missing the breath as it comes and goes, and seeing bodily sensations arise and pass away, are good training for awakening the mind.
Yet if we hold on only to awareness, it becomes another attachment. The practitioner's path is to be aware without being bound by that awareness, and to use that wisdom rightly in our words and actions in daily life.
We cannot live while avoiding every outer stimulus. What matters, therefore, is not reacting immediately whenever a stimulus comes, but noticing the changes in body and mind and recovering equanimity.
Today, may you not lose sight of the sensations and states of mind that arise, and may you live the day with the wisdom that does not cling to them.
If we hold on only to awareness, it becomes another attachment. The practitioner's path is to be aware without being bound by it, and to use that wisdom rightly in daily words and actions. We cannot avoid every outer stimulus, so what matters is noticing changes in body and mind and recovering equanimity instead of reacting at once.
