Introduction:

In practicing the 5 Mindfulness Trainings it is important to remember that they are meant as practice, not perfection. They are a guide on how to live in right action to the best of our abilities and a reminder of how to stay in awareness in our daily lives. They are knowing that each time we come back to awareness from being caught by a misperception, we find a jewel within, a wonderful moment of enlightenment. String each one of these profound jewels into a necklace of incomparable beauty, the beauty of the true self. Please begin reading each Mindfulness Training with your full awareness:

The First Mindfulness Training

Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I am committed to cultivating Right View and compassion, and to learning ways to protect the lives of people, animals, plants and minerals. I am determined not to kill, not to let others kill and not to support any act of killing in the world, in my thinking and in my way of life. Seeing that actions motivated by fear, anger and craving have their roots in dualistic and discriminative thinking, I am determined to cultivate openness, non-discrimination and non-attachment to views in order to transform fanaticism and intolerance within myself and in the world.

The Second Mindfulness Training

Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing and oppression, I am committed to practicing generosity in my thinking, speaking and acting and to sharing my time, energy and material resources with those in need. I am determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should belong to others. I am determined to practice looking deeply to see that the happiness and suffering of others are deeply connected to my own happiness and suffering, that true happiness is not possible without understanding and compassion, and that running after wealth, fame, power and sex can bring about much suffering and despair. I am aware that it is possible to live happily right in the present moment and that I already have more than enough conditions to be happy. I am committed to practicing Right Livelihood and to living simply so that I can help reduce the suffering of living beings and reverse the process of global warming.

The Third Mindfulness Training

Aware of the suffering caused by sex that is disconnected from love and wisdom, I am committed to cultivating responsibility and learning ways to protect the safety and integrity of individuals, couples, families, and society. Knowing that sexual energy is different from love, and that sexual activity motivated by craving always harms myself as well as others, I am determined not to engage in sexual relations without affirmative consent, true love, and care for the long-term implications for myself and others. I will make my relationships known to my family and friends, provided it is safe to do so. Recognizing the diversity of human experience, I am committed not to discriminating against any forms of gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. I will do everything in my power to protect children from sexual abuse and to prevent couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct. Seeing that body and mind are one, I am committed to learning appropriate ways to take care of my sexual energy and cultivating loving kindness, compassion, joy and inclusiveness – which are the four basic elements of true love – for my greater happiness and the greater happiness of others. Practicing true love, we know that we will continue beautifully into the future.

The Fourth Mindfulness Training

ware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I am committed to cultivating loving speech and compassionate listening in order to help relieve suffering, and promote reconciliation and peace in myself and others, including people of different ethnic groups, religions and nations. Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering, I am determined to speak truthfully with words that inspire self-confidence, joy and hope. I am committed not to speak when anger is in me, but to practice mindful breathing and walking in order to recognize my anger, and to look deeply to see its roots, which may be my wrong perceptions and the inability to understand my own and others’ suffering. I am committed to listening in such a way that can help the other person see a way out of his or her difficult situation. I am committed not to spread news that I do not know to be certain and shall refrain from uttering words that can cause division or discord. I am committed to practicing Right Diligence in order to nourish my capacity for love, joy, and non-discrimination and to diminish the energy of anger, violence and fear in me.

The Fifth Mindfulness Training

Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I am committed to cultivating good health, both physical and mental for myself, my family and my society by practicing mindful eating, drinking and consuming. I am committed to looking deeply at how I consume the Four Kinds of Nutriments in my daily life: namely edible foods, sense impressions, volition and consciousness. I am committed not to use alcohol, drugs or any other products which contains toxins, including T.V. programs, magazines, books films and even conversations. I am committed to coming back to the present moment to be in touch with the refreshing, healing and nourishing elements in me and around me, not allowing regrets, sorrow, and fear to carry me away from the present moment. I am determined to avoid consuming in order to cover up my suffering, loneliness and anxiety. I am committed to looking into the nature of interbeing and to consuming in such a way that can preserve peace, well-being and joy in my body and consciousness and in the collective body and consciousness of my family and society.