Lessons In Practical Buddhism - Sirimangalo.Org

unpleasant. Certain situations are neither unavoidable nor
harmless and, whether they be pleasant or unpleasant, such
situations should be avoided at all cost.
An example that bears specific mention is in regards to
people and situations that cause the arising of further
defilement to the mind when we come in contact with them.
Far greater than any danger to life and limb is the danger to
our minds and so these should be avoided all the more.
We should avoid immoral social situations like bars, night
clubs and drinking parties, for example, as well as people
who engage habitually in drugs, alcohol and all sorts of
sensuality. We should try our best to avoid people who by
their very way of life are likely to be a cause for us to fall into
immorality by associating with them.
We should avoid all things that are liable to endanger our
practice, either physically or mentally. It is often the case
that extended practice of meditation will force people to
change their lives in many ways, changing their circle of
friends, their lifestyle, and even their habits and routines.
They will change naturally because they begin to see what is
helpful and what is harmful, and so they will begin to avoid
those things that are harmful to one’s spiritual development
and peace of mind.
During intensive meditation practice, it is advisable to
seclude oneself, staying away from people and things that
will excite the mind; staying away from pleasant sights,
sounds, and other experiences. If it is not possible to
seclude oneself completely, one must at least avoid those
activities that are sure to distract and defile the mind. We
must strive to give up activities like watching movies,
listening to music, and indulging in all kinds of
entertainment, because without a doubt they will take away
our mindfulness, taking us away from our practice.
One should never think it wise to bear with anything that is
genuinely detrimental to one’s well-being, even in regards to
people whom one has come to see as a friend, if they are set
on a wrong course of action. Often the people and places we
are most familiar with are cause for the greatest disturbance
to our minds, since we tend to choose them based, not on
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