I was deeply saddened by Robin William’s death just as I imagine you were.  He was obviously suffering greatly while the darkness of depression engulfed him.

“Robin, whatever configuration you are now, I wish you peace. I am sorry for the suffering that you endured."

When a tragic death happens it seems to resonate deep in our own soul . . . One of the times when, if we examine what’s going on, we realize that we are not “islands”. We are connected. Our separation is our ego’s delusion.  I imagine that Robin Williams felt absolutely and tragically alone.

Let’s you and I make a determined effort to feel the happiness and the pain of all other beings. We are not separate – we are threads of a large cloth.

Smile for no reason (or any reason) at all. Engage in friendly talk with strangers, pet a dog or cat. These are just a few of the behaviors that open our hearts and may very well change the emotional experience of the “other.”

Samadhi generally means Concentration. But looking more broadly, Samadhi begins with
the prerequisite of ethical or skillful behavior. Next comes awareness; then mindfulness leading to
concentration and clear seeing.

I think that investigation of these factors are important so that we can distinquish the difference
between being aware, being mindful and becoming concentrated . . . All of which provides us with the ability to be non-reactive . . . To be equanimous (yep, it's a word) with what is.

Our mindful-concentration can lead us to insights or to deeper and deeper concentrated states (Jhana).

One of the Satipathana’s ( the foundation of mindfulness) four components is mindfulness of the body.

When we sit in meditation we are conscious of there “being a body”. This simple knowledge is useful in settling our minds.

The Buddha instructed that we should sit, stand, walk and laydown with focused mindfulness of what we’re doing. We can add eating, showering and virtually all of our activities to what we strive to be mindful of. Very simple but not so easy.

I experiment with being mindful while showering. The mind wants to go to what’s on the agenda for the day, or perhaps what I should of said or not said a week ago.

We are so programed to be somewhere that’s not where we are. I’m getting better: I am able to shower about ½ of my body while being present. I’m most proficient in remaining mindful while doing the dishes . . . Not bragging – just saying.

Sati (mindfulness) has the additional meaning of “to remember or to recall”.

This remembering is part of another of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness.

So, what do we remember?

Two things:

1.     the “triple Gem”, the Buddha, The Dharma and the Sangha. By remembering the value of the Buddha (we also can reach enlightenment) the Dharma (the teachings that have been offered to us; also natural law ‘the way things are and the Sangha, like-minded friends on the path.

2.     We remember our dedication to Sila, our ethical behavior.

The Buddha instructed his son, Rahula to consider the wholesomeness of our actions before taking action, during the action and to review our actions. We consider: is this action to the benefit of myself, to others and to both ourselves and others.

If the action was wholesome everybody is happy.

If it didn’t turn out so well we tell a trusted friend and vow to avoid making the same mistake in the future.

This formula helps us to adjust our “set-point” to one of blissful blamelessness.