2.8 THE PLACE OF MEDITATION
The place of meditation is solitary. Physically, we should retire to a secluded place,
away from entertaining distractions, and mentally, we should be in a place free of
discursive thought. Physical seclusion implies an isolated place free of the
mundane affairs and frivolous entertainment of the big city, free of the pollution
and roar of traffic and people. In the city, there is no time to rest, and we are
wafted along like a piece of paper driven by the wind; time goes so fast that we
have no time even to sit and eat comfortably. The dissatisfaction generated in the
city is caused by attachment to external objects. So, like earlier generations of
yogins, in Entering the Way of the Bodhisattva, Shantideva says,
Desire brings sadness;
Joy arises in seclusion.
Conflict and emotion are absent
In quiet forests glades;
In blessed moonlight in a cool sandal forest,
With a beautiful simple retreat house,
The forest trees silently tossing their heads,
Sweet breezes blow to benefit others.We need somewhere free of people and traffic, with some flowers growing round
about, streams bubbling by, a spacious view, and a pond nearby, perhaps a place
with sandalwood trees, birds flying freely, and animals roaming leisurely. From
time to time the sound of musical instruments like flutes, lutes, and guitars may
be heard. A cave on top of a mountain or in its lap, preferably a natural cave, is
best. If this ideal place of seclusion is impossible to find, go to a place where there
is no chance of attachment to friends or hatred toward enemies, where there is no
noise from neighbors, dogs, vehicles, or anything else, and no disturbance to our
meditation from frivolous activities. If we find such a place that supports our
practice, accomplishment will arise much more easily; if our practice is
uninterrupted, we will attain true accomplishment. Such a place is difficult to find
these days. Everyone is busy pursuing happiness in external, material things. If it
is impossible to go into secluded retreat, just leave work aside for one hour in the
morning or evening when there is no noise and devote it to a daily meditation
practice.
Beginners will not gain any advantage if external conditions are not supportive.
The mind will be distracted and diverted in a second. Like a stampeding horse in a
market place, the mind runs to frivolity and noise and cannot stay still for a
moment, and there can be no meditation. So practice calmly in a secluded place
and meditate well. Gradually we will be able to assimilate more and more noise
until finally when our meditation is perfect, we can sit in any noisy environment
and be like Jetsun Milarepa, who sings in his Songbook,
When I move in a crowded market place,
No matter what appears, I look at the nature of mind;