Sadness

GeminiVI

I can't find anything on it. It's not considered a hindrance. What should be cultivated to counter it? What theme can I apply my mind to? What sutras talk about it?

GuyC

Hi Gemini,

Sadness may be linked to the hindrance of remorse if it is related to some memory of an immoral act. It may also be a form of the hindrance ill-will directed towards oneself.

In either case, Metta is a great anti-dote to sadness. Find a method of cultivating Metta which works for you (it might take a while before the effects are discernable so be patient and persistent) and practice daily.

Also, if it is related to remorse, forgiveness towards oneself is indespensible. You deserve forgiveness, you deserve to be happy. May you be happy!

Another suggestion would be to listen to some Ajahn Brahm talks, he seems to have a knack for helping people feel good about themselves. Check back regularly for updates, last friday he gave a good talk on happiness which hasn't been uploaded yet. http://www.dhammaloka.org.au/ for audio and http://www.youtube.com/user/BuddhistSocietyWA for video

With Metta,

Guy

Deshy

Try to reason out the why you are sad. What is the reason for sadness?

Fran45

But be careful as you examine your sadness that you don't fall into wallowing in it. I'm sad, this is why, this is how it relates to the way that I habitually think, this is what I can do about it, then let it go.

DhammaDhatu

GeminiVI wrote: »

What sutras talk about it?

The suttas say:

"And what is sorrow? Whatever sorrow, sorrowing, sadness, inward sorrow, inward sadness of anyone suffering from misfortune, touched by a painful thing, that is called sorrow.

"And what is lamentation? Whatever crying, grieving, lamenting, weeping, wailing, lamentation of anyone suffering from misfortune, touched by a painful thing, that is called lamentation.

"And what is pain? Whatever is experienced as bodily pain, bodily discomfort, pain or discomfort born of bodily contact, that is called pain.

"And what is distress? Whatever is experienced as mental pain, mental discomfort, pain or discomfort born of mental contact, that is called distress.

"And what is despair? Whatever despair, despondency, desperation of anyone suffering from misfortune, touched by a painful thing, that is called despair.

Saccavibhanga Sutta

DhammaDhatu

GeminiVI wrote: »

What should be cultivated to counter it?

Six things are conducive to the abandonment of restlessness and remorse:

1. Knowledge of the Buddhist scriptures (Doctrine and Discipline);

2. Asking questions about them;

3. Familiarity with the Vinaya (the Code of Monastic Discipline, and for lay followers, with the principles of moral conduct);

4. Association with those mature in age and experience, who possess dignity, restraint and calm;

5. Noble friendship;

6. Suitable conversation.



These things, too, are helpful in conquering restlessness and remorse:

1. Rapture, of the factors of absorption (jhananga);
2. Concentration, of the spiritual faculties (indriya);
3. Tranquillity, concentration and equanimity, of the factors of enlightenment (bojjhanga).

The Five Mental Hindrances and Their Conquest

DhammaDhatu

GeminiVI wrote: »

It's not considered a hindrance. What should be cultivated to counter it?

"And what, friends, is the noble truth of the path of practice leading to the cessation of stress? Just this very noble eightfold path: right view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration.

Saccavibhanga Sutta

dennis60

Sadness can easily become self-pity, and that is a very defeating emotion and can cause harm to ones self and others....Although we all experience it because "some illusions are bigger than others", therefore there is occasion for sadness. Hopefully it will pass in a short amount of time, and not be focused on, and clung to..... A parable that includes sadness from the Lotus Sutra...

The Parable of the Excellent Physician
In this parable, there is a highly skilled physician with many children. He leaves his home on business and goes far away. When he returns, he finds that his children have taken poison; some are completely out of their minds as a result. The physician prepares medicine for the children. The children who are still of sound mind accept the antidote and are cured but those children who are out of their minds do not take this medicine, thinking there is nothing wrong with them. The physician comes up with a plan to cure them. He goes away and sends a messenger to tell them that the father has died. The sick children become very sad when they hear the news and take the medicine, thinking that there is no one to care for them now that their father is gone. When they take the medicine, they are cured of their sickness.

GuyC

Nice posting DD.