lessons from the eight precepts

For about two and a half months, I've been more or less observing the Eight Precepts: no killing, no stealing, no sexual activity at all, no lying, no intoxicants, eating only between dawn and noon, no singing, no dancing, no music, no shows of any kind, no adornments, and sleeping on a mat on the floor. I started the practice on the November new moon, in anticipation of a Leigh Brasington jhāna retreat in December. I wanted to quiet my mind to better my chances on getting into jhāna. Afterwards, I kept the practice up, faltering here and there. Yesterday I finally gave in and abandoned them.

I think, though I abandoned them, I will still leave this practice with greater restraint. I've retooled my schedule to allow for an early start to the morning so I can get done all the things I want to get done before my job exhausts me too much: meditation, sutta study, Pāli lessons, and writing. I will continue to be restrained about how much media I consume. I'll probably restrict most of my music hours to my job hours--indeed, that is what made me finally give in: frustration at work on a tedious task that if set to music became tolerable.

Did my mind quiet somewhat? Yes. But still, there was constantly a song in my head. That's just the way my brain works--constant music--and I think it will take many years of abstention for that not to be the case. I did start replacing my usual earworms with chants, so that was nice.

Sexual abstention was difficult, and I broke it (solo) a few times. The first time, thoughts of sex plagued me and it was the only release I had, and worked to quiet down those thoughts. But give in once, and it's easier to give in the next time. Something to work on.

Not eating dinner was excellent. I had more energy in the evenings. I did not feel too full for evening meditation, as always happens when I eat late. I am sure I will continue that practice.

All in all, it was a good lesson. And I intend to take them up again for vassa this year.