The six recollections are simple but transformative teaching from the sutras that can be used to create a foundation of joy in our practice. 

The first recollection is of the Buddha, the Awakened One. One can think of the Buddha who lived and taught in India and  transformed the lives of so many beings; or we can think about the awakening potential within ourselves.

The second recollection is of the Dharma, the teachings of the Buddha by reading, reflecting, and studying them. Also included is recollecting the way things are — the truths of change and impermanence, that nothing truly belongs to us or is ours, and how attachment to anything in this ever-changing world brings suffering.

The third recollection of the Sangha can refer to the monastic sangha, that is groups of people who practise together, or the Arya Sangha — those beings who have either fully awakened or are on the path to awakening. To encourage ourselves and remind us of our potential, we can recall special people we have met who are radiant, clear, and bright and who do not act out of greed or anger
as ordinary folks do.

Then there is the fourth recollection of one’s virtue. We are usually good at recollecting the things we think are wrong about us, but not so good at recollecting what is good. The Buddha encouraged us to recollect the times we have held back when we wanted to do harm and the times when we cultivated or acted on wholesome intentions. Cultivating awareness of the good we have manifested will encourage us to perform more virtue.

The fifth recollection is of our generosity and the positive feeling it brought us in the past. In western culture, we are not particularly encouraged to recollect our generosity, but remembering previous acts of giving starts to transform our self-perception from a little confused person who is never going to become awakened to a flow of generosity and cultivation of virtue that is aligned with the stream of awakening.

The sixth and final recollection is of the devas, or beings living in the god realms. The classic intention is to recollect how much virtue one would need to cultivate to be reborn as a deva, but I prefer to think about how the beings whom we cannot see might benefit from our practice. Some beings have helped us and are helping us along the way. If we nourish and support the devas with our kindness and merits, they will reciprocate and enjoy our company.

Regularly recollecting the Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, virtue, generosity, and devas will bring you great joy.

“365 Gems of Wisdom” Volume One (January — March) e-book is out now!