Triple Gem of the North Sathi

Bhante Sathi talks about the idea of “attachment”—
Attachments do not have an inherently bad nature. Misunderstanding attachments is what causes us pain. There is wisdom in approaching and understanding attachment within the concept of impermanence.

In this episode, Bhante Sathi talks about the idea of “harmonious understanding”— an understanding free from bias and ignorance. He also details the Four Realizations a person with harmonious understanding will encounter.

Bhante explains how meditation is this unique activity that allows us to develop the way we see ourselves.

He also explains how what we do in the meditation cushion can influence our lives beyond the meditation session:
• Looking inwards instead of at external things or people to improve ourselves
• Using humbleness and happiness as tools for continuous growth, and not just as mere thoughts or emotions

Bhante described how there are four characteristics of the mind that manifest during meditation:
• Mind doesn't know the distance
• Mind travels by itself
• Mind doesn’t have a body
• Mind is the most powerful controller of yourself

As part of this session Bhante also recommended a daily practice to follow: take care of your mind is an infant totally relying on you, without judgments or complaints about it; without caring about what comes to the mind whether good or bad, maintain your unconditional love as you would with an infant.

Bhante gives guidance on how to deal with the pressures of living during a pandemic by introducing the concept of Brahmavihara or "The Four Safe Houses". These include:
-- Metta - loving-kindness or benevolence
-- Karuna - compassion
-- Mudita - empathetic joy
-- Upeksa - equanimity

Bhante Sathi and attending meditations talk about their practice and experienced observations (from previous day instructed practice, about observing in which ways we tend to abuse our minds and bodies.

As a mindful person and a meditator, it’s important to understand why we do the things we do. It is also relevant to be conscious about whether this ‘things’ support and nurture our minds and bodies or instead they are unbeneficial for us.

Close observations of our daily routines and habits can help us identify and mindfully understand the reasons behind our behaviors and how to improve ourselves through our daily meditation practice and its application to the rest of our day.