We may come to the Dhamma because we are disillusioned. There can be a feeling of being jaded, we may seek a less superficial engagement in life and living. There’s a search for the real, the authentic, the truth.
There’s an invitation to come and see - no obligation, no free quote. Those who are busy making other plans say thanks but, my interests lie elsewhere.
Those who have no interest, no curiosity when it comes to meditation do other things. When there’s intense interest and curiosity we begin to investigate - experiment - research. It becomes a major focus in life.
When the benefits become obvious, we are happier people, we enjoy the process, we get drawn into the Dhamma because we enjoy the results.
We may delight in the Dhamma, make much of it, celebrate the Dhamma, derive much pleasure and satisfaction from our Dhamma practice.
‘Ajahn Brahm’ said: he’s a hedonist - he just went for the pleasure. In fact, it’s completely unavoidable.
Ajahn Brahm said: jhana is better than sex!
Bliss is unavoidable as the Dhamma deepens. Like climbing a ladder rung by rung, the last rung needs to be let go of, to move to the next one. There’s an ascent into bliss and, beyond - pure and simple.
As we ascend the beauty increases - its a complete surprise - the sense of freedom is undoubtedly pleasurable, blissful, utterly fantastic, energy increases, ease of being increases and so it goes…
“The greatest of (worldly) gains is health;
Nibbana is the greatest bliss;
The eightfold path is the best of paths,
To lead in safety to the Deathless.” - MN75
Do you sense any exuberance on occasion?
This may be it, the ‘difference’ between exuberance and delight??? I think there is a difference, the former is something arising from within and, the latter ‘seems’ to be derived from what we call the ‘world’.
We may become slaves, preoccupied with looking for delight - out there.
There’s an ‘objectification’ - dualistic thinking. An attribution of delight that is said to be ‘derived’ from the delightful, from elsewhere.
Inspiration can produce exuberance - it’s internal.
Ajahn Brahm looked for the happiest monks he could find before he decided where to ordain.
I heard a story about a Thai-Ajahn who visited Ajahn Chah.
One of the newer monks walked into a scene where the visiting Ajahn was rolling on the floor and laughing in front of Ajahn Chah. I think ‘Ajahn Chah’ had been talking about something humorous. Ajahn Chah was also laughing.
How would you explain this?
I imagine they would all settle down if the laity appeared - to maintain appearances?
In my experience, people laugh and role about when they’re having fun. There’s a lot of delightful conversation that ‘seems’ to take place in Dhamma circles, otherwise, we would tire, get bored and, go and do something else.
Is there a paradox in all this?
Who can unknot the knot’ - anyone reading this? Any ideas?
There does seem to be little discussion about the joy we find in our practice in this group - our little discussion group. Why is this the case?
