The practice of the Dhamma is a powerful protection that comes about by wholeheartedly applying mindfulness, the four protective meditations, restraint, virtue, going for refuge, patience, or the parittas.
Instead of being at the mercy of desire and attachment we need to understand the sticky nature of every form of desire – and then to weaken and abandon it. Besides using mindfulness there are a number of approaches to skilfully deal with desire.
Feeling free can feel distant from our busy or troubled lives. But Dharma teachings are not waiting for some future moment that is perfect for their exploration. They are for life, here and now, as it unfolds. Whenever we bring mindful and heartful presence we notice that freedom starts right there.
Mindfulness is an indispensable quality for our practice of vipassana meditation. It is the foundation upon which all the other beautiful and necessary qualities for insight to arise can unfold.
