พระอาจารย์แนะว่าชีวิตคนเมืองที่วนอยู่กับงานจะเพิ่มกุศลได้ด้วยการฝึกเจริญสติในแต่ละขณะปัจจุบัน เพราะสัจธรรมปรากฏขึ้นเฉพาะในปัจจุบันเท่านั้น ไม่ว่าจะติดรถ ทำงาน ทานอาหาร หรือเข้าห้องน้ำ ก็ให้กำหนดลมหายใจ ศูนย์กลางกาย ภาวนา “สัมมาอรหัง” นึกถึงองค์พระ หรืออยู่กับความสบายใจ เพื่อให้ดวงสติตั้งขึ้นและดึงบุญให้ไหลเข้ามา ท่านแนะให้ติดข้อความเตือนใจไว้ตามจุดต่าง ๆ ในชีวิตประจำวัน เพื่อไม่ให้เผลอเสียโอกาสไปในแต่ละขณะPhra Ajarn teaches that a city dweller caught in the cycle of work can increase wholesomeness by cultivating mindfulness moment by moment, since truth only ever appears in the present. Whether stuck in traffic, at work, eating, or in the bathroom, one can anchor on the breath, the center of the body, chant “Samma-Arahang”, recall the Buddha image, or simply rest in a sense of ease — so that mindfulness arises and merit flows in. He suggests posting reminders at everyday spots so as not to lose that opportunity moment by moment.
The Question: A City Life Caught in a Cycle of Work — How to Increase Wholesomeness
Paying respects, Phra Ajarn. A city dweller’s life is spent on work, and on all kinds of neutral activities besides — eating out, dancing, going out, drinking. Life is just waking up, going to work, commuting, and by the time we get home it is already late. It is a cycle that repeats over and over. How can we adjust this so that our life becomes more wholesome?
The Heart of It Is Cultivating Mindfulness Moment by Moment
We must train ourselves to develop in each moment, because truth only appears in the present. So in each moment that we manage to recall this, we should fix our attention right there. For instance, when stuck in traffic and unsure what to do, we can remind ourselves not to waste this present moment, and settle our attention into it.
We can focus on the breath, or on , chant “Samma-Arahang”, recall the image of the Buddha, or simply rest in a sense of ease — keeping only that sense of ease and dwelling comfortably within it. Whatever else the mind is caught up in does not matter; just remain with that ease. Whether we anchor on the breath, the center of , the Buddha image, the crystal sphere, or the sense of ease itself, once the sphere of knowing — that is, mindfulness — arises, it draws in pure energy, which is , to flow in.
The Law of Karma Is Always at Work
In this very present moment, the law of karma is constantly giving its results, and takes those results and compels us to keep creating new causes. We therefore need to remain within the system of wholesome by staying continuously self-aware, without ever losing mindfulness in each present moment. If we want to adjust our life, this is exactly where the adjustment must happen.
A Practical Tip: Post Reminders at the Points of Daily Life
We might use a sticker or a written note as a reminder — on the steering wheel for the drive home, on our office desk, or at other spots we pass often. In the bathroom, stick it on the mirror, or anywhere else that feels like a place where the mind can pause. Whether we are in the bathroom, eating a meal, having coffee or tea, or even talking with a customer, we still need to remain within the system of wholesome dhamma.
Staying with it brings real benefit, because it will support us. Left only to its own nature, without anything to rely on like this, nothing else will help us. And if we slip into an unwholesome state, even something we had grasped correctly at first can turn into something wrong. We therefore need to keep ourselves within the system of wholesome dhamma at all times. Try it and prove it for yourself — do not let time pass by without benefit.