Why getting up in the mornig? What for?

[cupertino77]

I have read books (i.e. their talks) by Ajahn Chah and Ajahn Sumedho. I like a lot of what is being said there. I am looking for some feedback on one question. Let's assume a certain level of awareness is being established. It allows to be liberated (or at least get an idea of it). What I have not been able to understand is why bother at all. Why get up in the morning? What for?
Thanks,
Lorenz

[perkele]

Because it's uncomfortable to lie around like a dead corpse all day, although you are still alive.

[LonesomeYogurt]

Yeah, your back would probably hurt after a while.

But I don't quite get the question - enlightenment or otherwise drastic spiritual progress does not make one lethargic or apathetic. It just makes one aware.

Why stay in bed? Why get up? Why do anything? Probably, in the Buddha's case, due to his great compassion and joy.

[cupertino77]

Often a nihilistic view is still present when I deal with things. Reading Ajahn Chah's teaching and trying to be aware has moved this attitude to a more neutral view - but it is certainly not close to compassion or joy.
Why taking on the next project or task (no self, impermanence)? Just to busy myself because I am still alive? Awareness can create boredom with things.
Any thoughts?

[David2]

Why getting up in the mornig? What for?

To end suffering, dukkha. To practice properly which results in the end of suffering.
Diligence in practice is very important in the Buddha's teaching.

[Sam Vara]

Often a nihilistic view is still present when I deal with things. Reading Ajahn Chah's teaching and trying to be aware has moved this attitude to a more neutral view - but it is certainly not close to compassion or joy.
Why taking on the next project or task (no self, impermanence)? Just to busy myself because I am still alive? Awareness can create boredom with things.
Any thoughts?

The next project or task is already under way, whether you like it or not. The hope is that by getting up, paying attention to it, and learning how it works, you can avoid the suffering inherent in it. Take it on as an alternative to it taking you on!

[Birgit]

Getting up in the morning to join other people, to join your family, your friends, society, to talk with them about the Dhamma and the Buddhas teachings among other things (perhaps you can influence the direction impermanence is developing to) and then practising meditation to end suffering and leading others to this peaceful way of living!

[manas]

Hi cupertino77

I try to see it that even lying down and doing nothing is an active choice on our part. And, from moment to moment as we live out our lives, however short or long they be, every choice we make is like a seed we are planting, a tendency we are strengthening just by exercising it. So I am trying to remember to plant good seeds rather than bad ones, to little by little exercise wholesome, positive qualities rather than defiled ones, because every little action we do has an effect, either now, or later on at some stage.

I'm far from perfect in fully practicing this, but I am aware of it, and it keeps me from doing too much harm. Even if it just helps keep me out of hell it will have proven it's worth.

[Gaoxing]

I have read books (i.e. their talks) by Ajahn Chah and Ajahn Sumedho. I like a lot of what is being said there. I am looking for some feedback on one question. Let's assume a certain level of awareness is being established. It allows to be liberated (or at least get an idea of it). What I have not been able to understand is why bother at all. Why get up in the morning? What for?
Thanks,
Lorenz

When the day starts with Voidness (Sunatta), WHAT A JOY!

It's a good thing to Not get up. Letting go of the 'Self' is one of the hardest things to accomplish. Fortunately the realisation will come that things happen anyway.

Don't suite yourself just let go and let live.

Please see the very top of page 6 in this piece;
http://das-buddhistische-haus.de/pages/ ... ebirth.pdf

[Gaoxing]

Sorry the post went through twice. Please see above.

[DAWN]

Because your mind is clear and smooth
I am getting up at 3am, and it's my favorite moment in the 'day', when whole town sleeps, when there is calm. when there is silence... it's the most peacefull moment... very free... i dont know how explain that....

[Annapurna]

I have read books (i.e. their talks) by Ajahn Chah and Ajahn Sumedho. I like a lot of what is being said there. I am looking for some feedback on one question. Let's assume a certain level of awareness is being established. It allows to be liberated (or at least get an idea of it). What I have not been able to understand is why bother at all. Why get up in the morning? What for?
Thanks,
Lorenz

Cupertino,

1. The Buddha recommended to keep this body in good shape, so it won't get in the way of practice, with illnesses that require attention.

And the body will get damaged when we lie around all day. The heart muscle and body muscles would quickly get atrophic and soon render us unable to get up!
After only 3 days of lying around the heart muscle already gets smaller and makes it harder to breathe, while up!


2. The Buddha also warned of laziness, f.i in "medium kilesa". the 5 defilements.

3. No work-no food.

Who would feed all those people lying around?

Even monks have to get up and keep their place clean and walk to receive dona and teach the Dhamma.

How would all this get done, if they wouldn't get up...?
How would not ordained people get their income...?
Who would feed the monks, if they didn't get up?

?


Happy getting up!

[Gaoxing]

How would all this get done, if they wouldn't get up...?
How would not ordained people get their income...?
Who would feed the monks, if they didn't get up?

With a touch of some old Vipassana. As easy as that.

[Annapurna]

I don't understand. Could you please explain how Vipassana gets my customers served and my bank account filled?

Thank you.

[equilibrium]

I have read books (i.e. their talks) by Ajahn Chah and Ajahn Sumedho. I like a lot of what is being said there. I am looking for some feedback on one question. Let's assume a certain level of awareness is being established. It allows to be liberated (or at least get an idea of it). What I have not been able to understand is why bother at all. Why get up in the morning? What for?
Thanks,
Lorenz

Because you have no idea what the path leads to in the end!

[Gaoxing]

I don't understand. Could you please explain how Vipassana gets my customers served and my bank account filled?

Thank you.

Sure you don't understand. Do you even know the meaning of the word? Sorry for going over your head with that one but we are trying to discuss Buddhism.

[Hanzze]

I guess Annapurna just tried to say that lazyness is not the message of praxticing. Many people have the believe that it is easy doing the homeless life with less responsibilities accept the responsibility to defeat ones own defiments.

That is acctually much more work and needs much more discipline as other work, which is at least nothing but running away from the real duties.

So "Why getting up in the mornig? What for?" can be answered maybe in: 1. to defend your unwholesome habits, 2. to train your mind not to run after your present feelings 3. to be as long as possible aware of what you are doing (sleeping a short time and even only once a day is maybe more importand) Practical maybe: to find a reason why to abstain from unwholesome actions till late in the morning; not wasting energy if one can use daylight; don't miss a single moment of another wonderful day.

Some good advices (especiall for layman) are found in the Sigalovada Sutta which might be the reason why one thinks that he needs to sleep long:

(b) "There are, young householder, these six evil consequences in sauntering in streets at unseemly hours:

(i) he himself is unprotected and unguarded,
(ii) his wife and children are unprotected and unguarded,
(iii) his property is unprotected and unguarded,
(iv) he is suspected of evil deeds,[3]
(v) he is subject to false rumours,
(vi) he meets with many troubles.

(f) "There are, young householder, these six evil consequences in being addicted to idleness:

"He does no work, saying:
(i) that it is extremely cold,
(ii) that it is extremely hot,
(iii) that it is too late in the evening,
(iv) that it is too early in the morning,
(v) that he is extremely hungry,
(vi) that he is too full.

"Living in this way, he leaves many duties undone, new wealth he does not get, and wealth he has acquired dwindles away."

I guess the whole sutta is worthy a read and a pound of good advices for everybody. Wether he for this existence, the next or even to get out of the circle.

What wakefulness for a Monk means is listed in the Nanda Sutta: About Nanda

"This is Nanda's devotion to wakefulness: There is the case where Nanda during the day, sitting & pacing back & forth, cleanses his mind of any qualities that would hold the mind in check. During the first watch of the night,[1] sitting & pacing back & forth, he cleanses his mind of any qualities that would hold the mind in check. During the second watch of the night,[2] reclining on his right side, he takes up the lion's posture, one foot placed on top of the other, mindful, alert, with his mind set on getting up.[3] During the last watch of the night,[4] sitting & pacing back & forth, he cleanses his mind of any qualities that would hold the mind in check. This is Nanda's devotion to wakefulness.

1. First watch: dusk to 10 p.m.
2. Second watch: 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
3. I.e., either as soon as he awakens or at a particular time.
4. Last watch: 2 a.m. to dawn.

I would not recommend this for people full involved in worldly business, even if one is handling much responsibility like a driver or working on or with heavy equipment. 6 h of sleep are good and in the summertime one would be able to enjoy the whole day, if this 6 h are not just placed in the afternoon to get fit for the next events.

[Gaoxing]

Sounds like a lot of Atta.

[Hanzze]

Well, I guess we are all here for awakening, somethimes a pinguine helps, sometimes not. Who like to continue to sleep if not an atta?

[DAWN]

Most difficult is the firts meters, between bad and shower