The habit loop

Weychin SG

Very often we are beset by our habitual patterns, as buddhist acknowledging habits are part of our cultivation, often it is of lack skilful means that we’re unable unravel how are our habits are reinforced.
The bottom link is a good read on the habit loop, hopefully it can be useful to some readers, also that more erudite buddhist forummers can provide some relevant buddhist based styles of analysis and investigation:-
http://charlesduhigg.com/how-habits-work/

2009novice SG

thanks for sharing the link

Weychin SG

We all process information slightly differently, some are able grasp through conversation alone, some are able to use intonation, while others, needs to write in entirety, or just key words, in order to digest, store and reference.

Weychin SG

jinlin SG

I don't find this technique related to Buddhist practice, I am still struggling with my habits. I just try to remember to practice right effort, and remind myself on three characteristics whenever I caught myself

Weychin SG

First, awareness in how things work, before we are fully understand root causes, we find parallel of cause and condition on a superficial level. What causes a habit to be formed and what reinforces into a cycle and getting applying skilful means to get out of a cycle!
Dependent origination, karma cause and effect is very profound subject due its wide scope of habitual patterns over countless lifetimes. This is a very simplified cycle which can be easily understood and communicate its process as its effects can observed in a short period.

Weychin SG

Maybe you can a look in the “Ten suchness” of the Lotus Sutra.
Would any forumner by kind enough to cut and paste the ten suchness on this thread?
Thanks!

jinlin SG

You are right Weychin, even at superficial level I have a hard time accepting that my action is not really wholesome. For example if I watch a tv show, it will affect my mind for hours afterward, but on the other hand I want to see where the story is going. Am I supposed to withdraw from the world?

I found the text from Lotus sutra that you mentioned http://www.buddhistdoor.com/oldweb/resources/sutras/lotus/sources/lotus2.htm Is this it

Shariputra, there is no need to speak further. Why is this? As to that foremost, rare, and hard-to-understand Dharma accomplished by the Buddha–only the Buddhas and the Buddha can exhaust the Real Mark of all Dharmas, that is to say, with regard to all Dharmas: the suchness of the marks, the suchness of the nature, the suchness of the substance, the suchness of the power, the suchness of the function, the suchness of the causes, the suchness of the conditions, the suchness of the effects, and suchness of the retributions, and the suchness of the ultimate equality from beginning to end.”

Weychin SG

I think Metta with Mindfulness has posted a good article(thanks MwM!)”Letting go of judgement and experiencing reality” . Very too often with attach emotional labels on our events and experience. That’s when we got hung up to the loop. Following a storyline on is tv is not too unlike following our stream of thoughts, except there is no prepared script with intended storyline with its intended evocative emotions and ending. If we apply mindfulness in every thing, the first things that dawns on oneself is there is a step back as an observer bearing a wider and more expansive view than if one were to just indulge in tv or one’s own monologue. The awareness of details increases and slowly leads away from that indulgence.

Weychin SG

Yes, that's it, thanks for putting it up! Continuing from your reply above, understand it is our attachment to self, referencing experience to self the crux of the problem. You may direct your questions to AEN as his insights may prove more helpful to you than mine. Definitely more systemtical and structured!

I found the text from Lotus sutra that you mentioned http://www.buddhistdoor.com/oldweb/resources/sutras/lotus/sources/lotus2.htm Is this it