修行經驗(七) - 慣性 (Practice Experience (7) - The Inertia of Habit)

有的讀者看到標題可能以為筆者要講物理

不是的

只是用物理上的名詞來譬喻而已

原先在用的名詞叫"習氣業力"

那幹嘛要標新立異，舊的不好嗎？

沒有不好

只是舊的名詞早已被落伍迷信給畫上等號

重新跟現代科學做連結而已

為什麼說慣性？？

請各位回想一下自己的習慣如何養成的

每天固定會做的

刷牙、洗臉、洗澡、運動、閱讀、娛樂，等等等

每天自己在做的事大概８０％是重複的

再想想自己遇到突發事件時

第一時間的反應是？

筆者從小到大就是急性子

即使意識到後去修正

但第一時間的反應幾乎沒有改過

這就是慣性

練習了奢摩他（止）跟毗婆奢那（觀）

用這兩個力量去將原先的慣性破壞

原先只要不小心摔壞、摔破東西

就開始懊惱＂要是剛剛ＸＸＸ的話，就不會ＯＯＯ＂

生起了許多的不善心

自找苦吃

沒意識到＂我＂在作怪

認為會是恆常的

現在則是同樣的事發生後

＂東西本來就會壞的，沒受傷就好了＂

雖然第一時間不善心還是生起

但意識到後

也就只有那個瞬間而已

就過去了

不再自找苦吃

轉頭就去做自己當下該做的事

而不是浪費時間懊悔

也因為這樣

跟家人的糾紛變少了

更多的是感謝的心

跟珍惜當下

雖然過往的慣性強大

但已減弱

只要有自覺

終究有止息的一天

願各位幸福無煩惱

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Some readers might see the title and think I’m going to talk about physics. But no, I’m just using a physics term as a metaphor.

The original term I used was "habitual karma" . So why change it? Was the old term not good enough?
It wasn’t bad. However, the old term has long been associated with outdated superstitions, so I’m simply reinterpreting it in connection with modern science.

Why call it inertia?

Think about how habits are formed.
The things we do daily—brushing our teeth, washing our face, taking a shower, exercising, reading, entertainment, and so on—make up about 80% of our daily activities.

Now, consider how you instinctively react to unexpected situations.

I’ve been an impatient person since childhood. Even after becoming aware of it and trying to correct it, my first reaction has hardly changed.

That’s inertia.

Through the practice of samatha  and vipassanā , I’ve been using these two strengths to break my old inertia.

For example, in the past, if I accidentally broke something, my immediate reaction would be regret:
"If only I had done XX, then OO wouldn’t have happened!"
This would give rise to many unwholesome  mental states, causing unnecessary suffering.
I failed to realize that "I" was at play, mistaking things as permanent.

Now, if the same thing happens, my response has changed:
"Things naturally break. As long as I didn’t get hurt, it’s fine."

Although unwholesome  mental states still arise in that first moment, I quickly become aware of them.
Then, they pass—no longer do I dwell in suffering of my own making.

Instead of wasting time regretting, I simply turn back to what I should be doing in the present.

Because of this shift, conflicts with family members have also decreased.
There is now more gratitude and a greater appreciation for the present moment.

Although past inertia is strong, it is weakening.
As long as there is self-awareness, it will eventually come to an end.

May everyone be happy and free from suffering.