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…..On
Heedlessness, Unmindfulness, Poor Attention, Forgetfulness….
Do we realize that so often we bring about Dukkha to ourselves and others due to a sheer lack of mindfulness ? We can do much harm to ourselves, relationship with others and the environment when we
Let us reflect on the following which essentially arise out of a lack of mindfulness or attention, bad habits or traits and a lack of consideration, concern or compassion for others.
1.
No Punctuality
How many
times have we stolen people’s time by making people
wait at meetings, dinners, talks and other occasions ? I
think many have been ‘cursed’ for this negative trait
… it is not good for human relationships. I remember a
teacher who used to harp on the importance of punctuality to
his students. The irony is that this teacher himself is often
late for his lessons !
2.
Indiscriminate Parking Of Vehicles
This
terrible habit seems to be getting more prevalent. I have seen
too often drivers of motorcycles and cars parking at “NO
PARKING” places, at road junctions, at places that block
others and so on. Imagine how much “curse” they receive.
It is not good for their mental health and peace !
3.
Not Keeping Promises
I
remember times when I waited in vain for students ( and also
adults !) who were supposed to turn up for appointments. (
Ha! They gave me the opportunity to practice patience ! ) When
asked later for failure to keep their promises, the usual excuse
was : “Sorrylah ! Forgot about it !” Saying ‘Sorry’
is easy … training the mind is hard but vital or
essential if one wants to cut Dukkha in our life.
4.
Non-Attention To Instructions
So much
unnecessary hardship has come about because of people’s
lack of attention to the things said to them …they have ears
but hear not ! In our Buddhist Association, I remember
adults and students turning up for classes on holidays, failure
to attend meetings because of ‘ignorance’, doing
things the wrong way, etc.
5.
Not Aware Of Notices
It’s really unbelievable that many have eyes but ‘see not’. So many don’t read notices and this causes so much Dukkha to themselves ….they complain about their children not getting into Sunday School Classes, Guidance Classes, Camps etc etc all because they are not aware of notices ! I remember some parents virtually scolding Committee Members because their children could not enroll for classes …their excuse ? They don’t read notices one !
Once
a blind Dhamma speaker visited our Association. He was really
mindful indeed. He told us about the times in the University when
the sighted students had to ask him for information or news
displayed at the Notice Boards !
Sometimes
I have to resort to ‘reverse psychology’ to ensure more
students read the important Notices . ( You know, it wastes a lot
of one’s time if one student after another comes to ask
about things already clearly explained in the Notices. ) We put
up headers like “PLEASE DON’T READ THIS”
( and they would !) “DO YOU DARE TO READ THIS ?”
( This would draw them to the Notices ) . Well, the situation has
improved with this. Someone suggested this header ( to
ensure nearly all the students would read the notice ) : “ SEX
– ONLY ADULTS SHOULD READ THIS !” ( Well, I’ve
haven’t dared to try this !)
6.
Inability To Wake Up On Time
I recall a member of our
Association who has this problem ( the mind can actually be
trained to overcome this type of
problem ) . He probably uses three alarm clocks !
There
were a few occasions when this guy went with us for trips to
other places . He kept the whole bus load of people waiting for
him in the morning. Many were already annoyed or angry with him;
some cursed and demanded that we left without him. I would phone
him until he got up and rushed over to join the trip. It not
really good to get into people’s bad books.
7.
Speeding And Reckless Driving
This is a growing problem especially among the youths or younger generation. We should reflect on the increasing number of road accidents, road bullies, drivers who blatantly flout traffic laws etc. The other day a student was telling me that when one speeds, one is not aware of it ! ( Ha! Too immersed in the thrill ?) Gosh ! It’s time we become mindful of our speeds before it’s too late !
Speeding
and reckless driving often can be traced to bad habits
picked up when one started driving. Resolve to put a stop to this
! Be mindful.
8.
Not Returning Things Borrowed
Isn’t this breaking the Second Precept ? When we don’t return borrowed things, we are keeping things not belonging to us. Just as we don’t want things like this happening to us, we should be mindful enough to return borrowed things. If we cannot remember, it is a good habit to make a note in our diary. I’ve had some experiences with some students who borrowed books from me for general reading, to help in doing their assignments etc.
9.
Not Carrying Out Duties Mindfully
We
have duty rosters of all sorts in the running and management
of our Buddhist Association. We should strive to discharge our
duties the best we can and with mindfulness. In this way, we
train our minds and others also benefit from our positive actions.
Our Community Library faces some problems with a few librarians
who absent themselves without notification. This naturally causes
hardship to the Library and the people who come to borrow books.
The important thing is : Be Responsible ! Be Mindful !
10.
Misplacing Things
Very often, many of us waste so much time searching for things we forget where we have placed. The things include books, notes, keys, stationery items and so on. We become impatient irritable, impatient and even angry. All this happens because of a lack of attention to our own actions. Our minds are scattered …going to the future or dwelling in the past instead of being with the moment. I’ve found that my forgetfulness decreases if I focus more on what I do noting mindfully my actions. The price we have to pay for forgetfulness can be very big !
11.
Mindless Littering
I
have seen many people throwing rubbish all over the places …
even right in front of notices which read : “ DON’T
THROW RUBBISH HERE. YOU CAN BE FINED RM 500 ” .
So
many have so little regard for our poor environment. They care
only for their own convenience with little or no thought for
others. Some are just careless and heedless. A friend told me
once that his neighbor has the habit of dumping rubbish into his
own neighbors’ compound ! Quarrels sometimes arise out of
this.
12.
Terrible Mindless Habits
From time to time I have reminded students of distracting habits …playing with ballpoint pens, tapping their fingers on desks, blinking their eyes, shaking their legs etc. Oftentimes they don’t seem to be aware of their own bodily actions. I once had a friend who had the terrible habit of shaking his legs ( he did not seem to be able to sit still !). Imagine the times I sat next to him in the cinemas. He would be shaking his legs mindlessly. Poor me…my seat and my head would also shake! What suffering
13.
Not Recognizing People
I know of
some people who have an atrocious memory with regard to
recognizing persons. This can pose real embarrassing moments.
There was this teacher who could not recognize the monitor of a
class. He used to scold another student for not ‘carrying
out his duties’ thinking that he was the monitor ! This
innocent student had become a poor victim of mistaken identity !
Our poor memory of people usually stems from a lack of attention
to the people we interact with and this isn’t very healthy
for good human interpersonal relationship.
14.
Messing Up Things
One of the Kindergarten lessons we ought to have learnt is : “Don’t mess up things. If you do, then clear it up !” Unfortunately, so many people forget this important principle. Plates and cups are left all over after use ( thereby attracting ants ); lights and fans are not switched off after use; windows are kept open in the rain; utensils are strewn all over after use; books, stationery materials etc are chucked all over after use; furniture items are left in disarray etc. We ought to give a thought to our mindlessness. Let not others suffer because of our carelessness and heedlessness.
Let us train our minds to be more attentive, heedful and mindful. The Buddha said : For the mindful one, there is always good;
For the mindful one, happiness increases;
For
the mindful one, things go better , ……
