Daily Reflection Sit

Each precept has an aspect of restraint and aspect of cultivation. Cultivate a sense of enoughness and contentment. They run counter to feelings of greediness because when we feel we have enough and are enough we are more likely to share, to be generous.

Cooling the impulse to want more.

Consider the resource of water. Can we raise awareness enough to notice if we are being careful or casual with our use? Can we hold in mind the notion of only taking what is needed out of compassion and consideration for others, for future generations and out of respect for Mother Nature? Can we appreciate what is already here?

Watching the impulsive tendency to want more, and then more.

The felt sense of “mine” can narrow our focus on wanting, taking, hoarding, keeping, selfing. We can understand the nature of this energy, what feeds into and may be underneath it, while encouraging ourselves to counter it by orienting to the benefits of generosity.

What happens to our hearts when we take what is not freely given. The 2nd precept helps us to feel the dis-ease of wanting more and the ease of enough.

There are so many ways we take…material things as well as attention, space, affection…feeling into the nuance of this, as well as the sense of opening to what we receive. When we do, we find that enough is a feast.

Ways to engage in gratitude practices are offered as a means to practice the second precept and cultivate contentment.