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Calm, Clear, & Kind: Three Buddhist Meditations for
Cultivating a Gentle Mind
By Jeff Sable

Often when we hear the terms Buddhist Meditation, images of austere Zen monks poised like statues may come to mind. This formidable image of people training their minds in unwavering stillness, how ever impressive it may seem, does not often fall into the conception of what the average person is capable of or has the time or desire to commit to. Of course there are many who have given it a shot, enduring one of the increasingly popular ten day silent group retreats at various centers through out the world. Indeed many may find such an experience very insightful and possibly even life altering. Perhaps a deeper sense of clarity and inner calm is revealed in the context of the retreat and may persist for a short while after our inevitable return to the world of responsibilities. What happens though when we come back to our busy lives? How do we continue the sense of insight we may have cultivated while off in retreat?

From a Buddhist perspective, the simple act of recognizing our intention is considered a foundational act for training the mind and holds within itself profound implications.

The entire essence of the Buddha's teachings can be distilled down to three specific intentions. First he said:

"Do not harm anyone! Friends, enemies, or strangers, avoid this!"

Next:

"Help all beings as much as you can, see to this!"

Finally:

"Tame your own mind!"

So how does one put these intentions into practice in daily life?

The Tibetan Buddhist meditation master, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche frequently cites one very skillful method for this. He says:

“Mingle the practice with our daily life right in the moment!”

“One must be Calm, Clear, and Kind, moment by moment! These three words are everything! They are the key to practice!”

Rinpoche then goes on to illustrate how this deceptively simple statement of Calm, Clear and Kind, moment by moment, contains within itself the entire essence of meditation practice and ultimately the Buddhist path towards enlightenment.

Calm is defined as the ability to let the mind be at ease and relaxed in whatever the situation. This refers to a traditional practice of seated or standing meditation known as Shamatha or Calm Abiding.

Rinpoche advises that it is much more beneficial to engage in this practice for short periods of time, even just a few minutes, and to repeat it often throughout the course of the day as opposed to trying to force one long session where our success with experiencing this relaxed state might not last as long. This way by reinforcing the experience many times in shorter durations we become gradually more accustomed to its effects, insuring that it habituates itself into our daily life. It provides us with a way to tangibly experience the very basic nature of who and what we are.

This experience of calm abiding is the foundation of practice. Through repeated experience with it, the other two meditations of Clear and Kind can be introduced conceptually but personal insight into their meaning is understood to naturally arise as a byproduct of the continued experience of Calm.

Rinpoche defines Clear as the “true nature of our mind “ with its expression being “intrinsic affection for all” This means that with in our true nature we possess the capacity for allowing the presence of compassion, love, care, and affection not just for oneself or our dear friends, but ultimately for all beings.
Within a state of clarity we begin to become aware of what in Buddhist terminology is referred to as dependant origination or interdependence. This is the experience of seeing clearly that all seemingly separate events, people and objects, in fact only exist in relation to an endless web of other apparent things. Therefore while it may appear on the surface of things that we are all separate and distinct individuals, through the experience of clarity it is revealed that our true nature or essence is oneness. If in the deepest sense we are one then why would we want happiness only for a part of our selves? Why not for all?
This is why the Buddha said we should not harm others and to do our best to help them.

Thus through training ones own mind in calm abiding we can develop clarity or insight into our own true nature and begin to cultivate the third quality of Kind.
Kind here refers to loving kindness, which is developing a genuine, unbiased, all embracing feeling of love and compassion for – friends or enemies or strangers – equally for all. The practice of cultivating love and compassion for all beings
Is considered the most essential and skillful method for attaining the precious and gentle mind of an enlightened being or Buddha (an awakened one).

It is said in the Pajna Paramita (Perfection of Wisdom) Sutras –

“Through Great Compassion – The Great Knowledge is Discovered!”

This is referred to as the unity of means and knowledge. Great Knowledge in this case again refers to a complete and enduring experience of clarity and insight or a direct realization of the true interdependence of all phenomena.

It is understood that all beings, regardless of individual circumstances, possess as their true nature the capacity to cultivate and realize this. This is referred to as ones Awakened or Buddha Nature. But due to agitated and unfocused states of mind, and through conflicting emotions such as anger, jealousy, pride, hatred and so on we become obscured mentally and physically to this greater inherent potential within us. By cultivating and carrying with us this reminder to be Calm Clear and Kind, moment by moment, we can begin to reveal in our daily lives, this gentle heart within.

Jeff Sable teaches weakly meditation classes in New York City at the Vajra Yoga Studio in Soho - http://www.vajrayoga.com

If you would like to learn more about Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche and his teaching schedule and activities please visit - http://www.gomdeusa.org and/or - http://www.shedrub.net

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