Don’t get lost in regrets for not having done something . . . (Click image for video)

Forget about jealousy. 

Instead, rejoice at other’s meritorious deeds. 

One of Samantabhadra’s ten great vows is to rejoice at others’ meritorious deeds. While these vows are a high-level practice undertaken by bodhisattvas, we can still begin to incorporate them into our practice.

This vow of being happy at others’ good actions helps us counter jealousy. Upon seeing others accomplishing something we dream about, we often succumb to jealousy.

We mutter to ourselves “Why them?” Because they have planted the right seeds and the right conditions have matured.

“Why not me?” Because either we didn’t plant the seeds, or our conditions haven’t matured yet.

“Okay. But do I have to feel happy for them?”

Yes, because they did something good. (That’s the “meritorious” bit.) Accomplishing something good is rarely easy. The right seeds and conditions need to mature—at the same time. So let’s get over our lethargy and our pouting. Celebrate those who manage to shine for they deserve our heartfelt delight and applause.

Do your best, and remember that . . . (Click image for video)

Practice letting go now without hesitation. 

When it becomes a habit, 

we will find letting go at the end of our life easy. 

We hear it often: “Let go.” Of what? Everything.

Our personal views. Our likes and aversions. Our greed, anger ignorance, and arrogance. And in time, our body.

Maybe, having already let go of a few attachments, we’ve realized that we do indeed feel less burdened. But letting go is proving to be a real struggle. Not yet a habit, it was neither natural nor easy. But with practice, it can be. This is vital because if we have trouble letting go now, imagine what we’ll be going through at the end of our life.

The more we practice something, the more proficient we become. We need to keep reminding ourselves that letting go is not depriving ourselves. It’s knowing what’s really important. Attachments and fleeting pleasures? Or the attainment of infinite wondrous benefits? Practice letting go now.

So when Amitabha comes to guide us to the Pure Land we do not hesitate, for we will already know how to let go.