Mindfulness in Daily Life and Resolving Anger (Dosa)
Knowing the faults of Anger (Dosa) is a very good foundation for you. It is natural that it is difficult to regain mental peace immediately due to the agitation of anger. However, we have ways to solve this difficulty. Living with Mindfulness (Sati) in daily life is the key.
Living with Mindfulness in Daily Life
I want to explain to you how to keep Mindfulness (Sati) in daily life. You must close your mind with mindfulness to prevent Defilements (Kilesa) from entering. If you do this everywhere—even going to the toilet is Dhamma, eating is Dhamma—as soon as you enter the house, there are no "extras." You can even preach Dhamma [because you are living it]. Really. Kitchen is kitchen, eating is eating, bedroom is bedroom, shrine room is shrine room—stick labels everywhere. What I mean is, start from the door and stick them all. Then, you will realize, "Oh, this is what Dhamma is."
This means being able to see with mindfulness the Mind and Matter (Nāma-Rūpa) arising in daily life. Seeing consciousness arising when the eye and form collide—Mind and Matter happening, the Five Aggregates appearing—applying Mindfulness in the Subsequent Mind to these Preceding Minds becomes a systematic preparation for practicing Vipassanā. You must know that Volition (Cetanā) is urging every step. I want to say that we must know how to live like this.
What to Do to Solve Anger
I will re-explain regarding the arising of anger and the way of living in daily life. If someone didn't listen well the first time and you have to follow up, you cannot find fault with that. Do they know how to do what was asked? If they don't know how, and you do what was asked again [by explaining or helping], you gain Wholesome Merit (Kusala) again. When you explain again, you want them to understand with your own good Volition (Cetanā). That is all.
Live with Good Friends (Kalyāṇa-mitta)
Number one is that to be able to pay attention (Manasikāra) like this daily, you need someone beside you to speak about it daily. You need Good Friends (Kalyāṇa-mitta). Only then does it become a habit. When we are alone, we cannot do it that much. Even if we meditate alone, sometimes when we feel like it, we just "unplug" or stop. With a group, you cannot do that. You cannot just get up.
So, when alone, one cannot pay attention this much. We gather with our Dhamma friends and speak and discuss these things. In this situation, these things become visible. We learn how to speak and discuss from each other's perspectives. That is why we need to practice a lot. Live with good friends who know how to speak [about Dhamma] in daily life. Discuss with them; talk with them.
Knowing Volition (Cetanā)
It is important for you to understand Volition (Cetanā). For example, who urges you to say "Thank you"? Volition (Cetanā) urges it. Remember that. When saying thank you, is that Volition good or bad? It is good. It is Worldly Dhamma (Loka Dhamma). But at the very moment you say "Thank you," Volition arises and Volition ceases. Ha! It is already finished. Do people think saying "Thank you" is Dhamma? They didn't think so.
That is why, after the talk is finished, people just get up and leave without saying anything. I understand. I feel this personally here. When you treat them to snacks, what do they know to say? "Thank you." When you speak Dhamma, they say nothing and just leave. Ha! They don't understand it to that extent yet.
Reflecting on Cause and Effect
As soon as you reflect on these causes and effects, Greed (Lobha), Anger (Dosa), and Delusion (Moha) in the mind are extinguished. It is true. It is good that you reflect like that. If the minds become peaceful, because of this mind, the Matter (Rūpa) also becomes soft and pliant. If the mind softens, the body softens. If the mind becomes tight, the body becomes tighter. That is why regarding Psychosomatic diseases caused by the mind: as soon as the mind cools down, the physical aspects all become good.
Conclusion
What I want to tell you is that Dhamma is everywhere. You must know this in every step. Applying Mindfulness in the Subsequent Mind to the Preceding Mind becomes a systematic way to practice Vipassanā. Having Mindfulness (Sati) is the only essential thing. Because of Feeling (Vedanā), Mindfulness can arise [instead of Craving]. Because of Mindfulness, Wisdom (Ñāṇa) arises, and one can struggle out of the swamp of Defilements (Kilesa).
Therefore, to resolve the arising of anger, one should live by reflecting on Cause and Effect with Mindfulness, living with Good Friends, and seeing Mind and Matter phenomena in daily life with Mindfulness. If you can do this, there will be opportunities to turn Kamma Merit into Wisdom Merit. Encountering the Buddha's Sāsana (Dispensation), there are opportunities to be completely free from suffering. So, let us practice Dhamma.
Dr. Soe Lwin (Mandalay)