Once again, we wake up in the morning, which is good news because we have another day to practise the Dharma, to cultivate our hearts of kindness, and to let go of the misconceptions that cloud our minds. It is good to take a moment and rejoice about this. It is good to keep our mind coming back to look at what is positive in our situation because often the opinion factory starts working in the opposite way, especially when we encounter a new situation with people we do not know. Then sometimes the opinion factory starts going, “Hmm, what are these people doing? I like this, I do not like that. I do not know about this thing. What do they want out of me? What do they expect of me? Do I fit in? Do they like me? Do I like them?” We get all tangled up in these kinds of thoughts, opinions and insecurities.

If these thoughts arise in the mind when you are in a new situation, it is good to try and say, “Oh yes, hello,” and then let them go and come back to the goodness of the situation. For example, if you are coming to visit the Abbey, reflect on the opportunity that you have to practise, to meet new people who understand the spiritual side of you and those who will support that, and to be in a place where people are trying to practise pure ethical discipline and cultivate loving kindness and compassion. Rather than letting the mind proliferate with all kinds of hopes and fears, come back to what is and simply be grateful for it and rejoice.

“365 Gems of Wisdom” e-book is out now!