The purpose of this meditation is to generate the strong wish to be free from samsaric suffering altogether, and then to view this wish in the light of actions and their effects.

I began the meditation by thinking about how all my suffering arises from being born into this human body and into this environment. My aches and pains, my heartaches and my frustrations – they all come from my samsaric situation.

I focused straight away on my need to break free of samsara altogether, so that I can be free from suffering permanently.

I brought to mind that I should try to identify with the body and mind of an enlightened being rather than this failing body and weak pathetic mind. Enlightened beings do not feel suffering because they want some chocolate, or because they cannot afford to go on holiday! Enlightened beings are constantly and blissfully happy because they abide in the perfection of wisdom – the perfect understanding of emptiness. I need to attain this special wisdom so I too can abide in blissful happiness.

I focused on this wish to attain liberation from samsara and being in a state of blissful happiness.

I then wondered how this looks in the light of actions and their effects. It is clear that the wish to attain liberation from samsara is a mental action with a specific effect. If I can hold this wish in my mind throughout the day, then all my actions will be suffused with renunciation. This special wish will protect me from rebirth in samsara – how wonderful!

Dedication

May all living beings develop the wish to be free from samsara, and hold this wish firm in their minds until they attain liberation and enlightenment for the sake of all.

Practice in the Meditation Break

I will try to identify with the body of an enlightened being rather than a middle aged man, and let my actions follow accordingly so that I might float free from samsara.