By avoiding bad objects, disturbing emotions gradually decrease. Without distraction, virtuous activities naturally increase. With clarity of mind, the conviction in teaching arises. Cultivate seclusion. This is the practice of Bodhisattvas. 

Defiled states of mind, be they ignorance, anger, attachment, belligerence, laziness, concealment, deceit, pretension, or others can easily arise with exposure to all the greed and violence in the media, internet, and ads. The more that we guard our senses and take care of what we encounter and the more we guard our mind after we have come into contact with certain objects, the less likely disturbing emotions are going to arise. It does not mean we go around with blinders on, but we are careful with the situations we put ourselves into and make an effort to train the mind since it is impossible to go anywhere where we are totally free of objects of attachment. 

We have had so much more time to practise without the distracting influences of the internet, TV, shopping, or gossiping with our friends. A simpler lifestyle would also free up more time because owning many things complicates our life. It can be very revealing to make a list of what we typically worry and are anxious about and keep track of how much time we spend thinking about those different things. Then, when we say, “I don’t have any time,” we can look and see what we actually did with our time. 

Virtuous activities naturally increase when we are less distracted by bad objects and more clarity arises in our minds. With clarity, we can think about the Buddha’s teachings and test them out using logic and reasoning. There is no other way to gain real conviction without putting the teachings into practice and applying them to our lives and the world around us. But we need a certain amount of mental space to think about the teachings so we will not be shaken when other people ask questions or criticise Buddhist practices. 

To create such space, we seclude the mind from bad objects, distractions, and other things that spark the arising of negative thoughts. One of my teachers, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, described the real meaning of retreat, which is to have the mind, body and speech retreat from non-virtue and the eight worldly concerns. Seclusion can also involve the body by finding a peaceful, less populated place to practise where we will not be bombarded so much by distractions, bad friends and the media. As beginners, we do not have much defence against these things, and we are liable to just go with the flow and wind up in trouble. 

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