Living by Vow

These short talks are given every weekday morning after meditation. Join us online or in-person to participate…

The most exhilarating part of our practice is recognizing just how much our actions matter—how we have the ability to show up, place our attention with intention, and be actualized by circumstances to liberate some people from suffering and transform it into joy. This is a profound power, a vested part of our true nature—when we recognize that nothing is outside.

It requires us to live with intention, to live by vow, to have a specific focal point for our attention. When we see suffering, we walk directly into it to transform. But to truly live by vow, we must recognize what distracts us. If our heart is pulled aside, if we lose focus, then our vow is not yet firm. Look today at what takes you away.

If we claim to have an intention but find our heart constantly dragged aside by trifles, then we must question our focus. What are the things that pull us away, that cause us to hesitate? Sometimes we are more concerned about how people feel about us or how we are perceived than about actually being present for them, supporting them in their practice. Sometimes, it is the pull of wealth or the fear of losing it.

But whatever it is, look carefully at those distractions. Again, this is not to say that reputation or financial stability are unimportant. They have their place. But are they the primary focus? If they are, I promise they will pass away.

Your actions, when directed with intention to ameliorate suffering, truly reach beyond the present moment—they ripple throughout all space and time. In this, we find our true nature.

So take time to find the hidden sinks in your karmic swamp—the places where energy drains away. Examine them carefully so you don’t get caught in cycles of inflation or deflation. Practice seeing clearly, staying steady, and returning to vow.