The journey of a 1000 miles begins with a single step

Habit energy

Taking our reactions less seriously

If we’re not too confused or hard on ourselves, we will discover the sanity beyond habitual reactions. Identifying less with habits and more with our basic nature lightens things up. With more space in our mind, we take our reactions less seriously. We can watch them the way we would watch children at play – knowing they will quickly wear themselves out.
– Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche
from the book “It’s Up to You: The Practice of Self-Reflection on the Buddhist Path”

With thanks to Just Dharma Quotes

November 11, 2023 | Categories: Habit energy, Mind, Practice, Zen | 1 Comment

A Very Subtle Obstacle

Habit is also a factor to be dealt with. The Tibetan term is ‘pa cha che dipa’. Defilement is also, of course, habit, but it is a little bit different. ‘Pa cha che dipa’ is a very subtle obstacle. An example is the way we project our own thoughts, feelings, or motivations on others. This can be very difficult to see and overcome, and it takes effort to do so. When we always find ourselves making the same mistake by misunderstanding others and judging them in an inaccurate, stupid, or uncompassionate way, we are being blocked by this habitual pattern. Later we find out that we were wrong, but usually by then it’s too late, the damage is done. We can only learn from the mistake. These are subtle habitual obstacles stemming directly from the concept of “I”.
– Tai Situ Rinpoche
from the book “Awakening the Sleeping Buddha”
With thanks to Just Dharma Quotes

October 15, 2023 | Categories: Defilements, Delusion, Habit energy, Self, Zen | Leave a comment

Maintaining a strong grip on the habits

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Millions of people in this world are interested in some version of meditation, or yoga, or one of the many so-called spiritual activities that are now so widely marketed. A closer look at why people engage in these practices reveals an aim that has little to do with liberation from delusion, and everything do to with their desperation to escape busy, unhappy lives, and heartfelt longing for a healthy, stress-free, happy life. All of which are romantic illusions. So, where do we find the roots of these illusions? Mainly in our habitual patterns and their related actions. Of course, no one of sound mind imagines any of us would willingly live an illusion. But we are contrary beings, and even though we are convinced we would shun a life built on self-deception, we continue to maintain a strong grip on the habits that are the cause of countless delusions.

– Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche

from the book “Not for Happiness: A Guide to the So-Called Preliminary Practices”

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November 19, 2019 | Categories: Delusion, Habit energy, Tibetan Buddhism | 2 Comments

Habit energy

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” Habit energy is pushing us; it pushes us to do things without our being aware. Sometimes we do something without knowing we’re doing it. Even when we don’t want to do something, we still do it. Sometimes we say, “I didn’t want to do it, but it’s stronger than me, it pushed me.” So that is a seed, a habit energy, which may have come from many generations in the past. We have inherited a lot.

With mindfulness, we can become aware of the habit energy that has been passed down to us. We might see that our parents or grandparents were also very weak in ways similar to us. We can be aware without judgment that our negative habits come from these ancestral roots. We can smile at our shortcomings, at our habit energy. With awareness, we have a choice; we can act another way. We can end the cycle of suffering right now.”

— Thích Nhất Hạnh

August 4, 2019 | Categories: Habit energy, Suffering, Zen | Leave a comment

Be gentle in judging yourself

We should be quite gentle in judging ourselves and remember that the habits we are fighting against come from beginningless time and are very strong. So from time to time there will be some backsliding — though in the long run there is progress and improvement. Furthermore, remember that even having entered the gate of the Dharma, having the intention to reduce our disturbing emotions, or being concerned about disturbing emotions is amazing because most people involved in samsara never even think about this.

– Thrangu Rinpoche

from the book “Luminous Clarity: A Commentary on Karma Chagme’s Union of Mahamudra and Dzogchen”

With thanks to Just Dharma Quotes

July 23, 2019 | Categories: Dharma, Forgiveness, Habit energy, Samsara, Tibetan Buddhism | Leave a comment

Everyday habits that control our lives

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Thich Nhat Hanh Philosophy & Practice

April 19, 2018 | Categories: Habit energy, Tibetan Buddhism | 1 Comment

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A horse, a man, and habit energy

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April 6, 2018 | Categories: Habit energy, Zen | Leave a comment