What does a Buddhist do in one day?
Answers
Normally, we might meditate for a short while before breakfast. Just five or ten minutes sitting calmly, focusing on the breath and getting centered will help.
We reflect on how our lives are intertwined with those of everyone around us. How they feel and act affect us and everyone else, and we generate a warm feeling of love: “May they all be happy,” as well as compassion: “May they all be free of unhappiness and any problems they have.” We resolve that, today, we will try to help others in whatever way we can, and if that’s not possible, we’ll at least refrain from causing any harm.
Mindfulness During the Day
Throughout the day, we try to remain mindful of how we’re acting, speaking, thinking and feeling. We especially try to notice if disturbing emotions like anger, greed, jealousy, arrogance and so on try to creep in. We take note when we’re acting selfishly or insensitively, or with self-pity and prejudice. On a subtler level, we aim to become aware of when we’re projecting absurd stories about ourselves, others, and situations in general. We look out for those moments where we imagine we’ll never get our turn in that long queue, that no one could ever love someone like us, and when all we feel is “poor me.”