Venerable Thubten Monlam on overcoming distraction
In this talk Venerable Thubten Monlam shares her personal struggles with distraction in her daily life and meditation practice.
She candidly admits to frequently becoming distracted during tasks and teachings, leading her to ponder whether she spends more time in a distracted state than focused.
Thubten Monlam notices a link between distraction and sleepiness during teachings, underscoring the importance of maintaining presence to fully absorb and embody the teachings.
Thubten Monlam reflects on the negative consequences of distraction, including missed opportunities and an inability to fully engage in religious practices.
She discusses her personal challenges, such as procrastinating on making phone calls for donations, and how feeling overwhelmed often leads to further distraction.
She questions whether her distraction might stem from laziness and emphasizes the need for mindfulness and focus to appreciate life’s preciousness.
Drawing inspiration from the focused attention of others, Thubten Monlam acknowledges the importance of consistent and diligent effort in overcoming distraction.
She highlights the gradual nature of progress and the necessity of regularly bringing the mind back to the present.
y focusing on the virtues and kindness in her surroundings, Thubten Monlam believes one can cultivate the habit of staying present and deepen their understanding of teachings.