In daily live many of our actions are habitual and unconscious. The Buddha asked us to be increasingly aware of our motivation and intention behind each action so we can better sort out what is wholesome and helpful, and which actions are connected with greed, harm and ignorance. On a silent retreat we have a chance to see the habits we have and how they drive our behavior.

In daily live many of our actions are habitual and unconscious. The Buddha asked us to be increasingly aware of our motivation and intention behind each action so we can better sort out what is wholesome and helpful, and which actions are connected with greed, harm and ignorance. On a silent retreat we have a chance to see the habits we have and how they drive our behavior.

From the basis of our simple practices we can include mindfulness of how intentions and actions arise in reaction to what is pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral (vedana). The unconscious actions we take in response to vedana are the conditioning circumstances for our suffering. It behooves us to raise awareness to how our reactivity to vedana further conditions our patterns of craving, aversion, and ignorance.

As we free our hearts from contraction, fear, anger and selfishness, we receive the world with a tender heart. This tender heart cares for others and from this, generous actions flow.

The Buddha understood our experiences as lawful events. The Law of Karma describes the causes and effects that arise through volitional actions.

The teaching on Dependent Origination shows us how craving and suffering arise from wrong understanding and a lawful process of cause and effect. By bringing wisdom and awareness to each step in this chain reaction, we uproot craving and bring an end to suffering.

From small to large actions, the presence of equanimity is important for clear seeing and compassionate responses.