On Becoming and Stopping

This evening is the New Moon. There are just two weeks left in the winter retreat. I’d like to encourage everybody to make the best use of the time that is left in this retreat period.

After the recitation of the Pāṭimokkha1 today, Ajahn Amaro gave reflections on the “becoming mind” and encouraged us to pay attention to it. I think this is a really important area of our practice to understand. We need to make a concerted effort in these next two weeks to try to get an understanding of, a handle on, the nature of the mind that is constantly moving to “become.”

The word “becoming ” is an innocuous little term. It doesn’t really evoke much of an image or much feeling. But the reality is that it is because of the nature of becoming that we continually experience suffering. It is why we continually experience conflict. It is why we are continually dissatisfied. Becoming is why we continually opt to be scattered, confused and stupid rather than peaceful and wise.

We can’t resist becoming; we’re suckers for becoming; we’re slaves to becoming. We don’t resist it, nor do we[…]”

Excerpt From: Ajahn Pasanno. “On Becoming and Stopping.”