Taking Refuge in Awareness

In his book, “The Sound of Silence”, Ajahn Sumedho says that, better than taking refuge in changing conditions, like happenings, our personalities, likes, dislikes, positive feelings, negative feelings, the actions and speech of others, etc., we can take refuge in what doesn’t change and is not “ours” (self): pure awareness.

But how do we do that?

As Ajahn continues, we take that refuge by being aware of conditions, likes, dislikes, thoughts, etc.

Moment-to-moment, when these things come up, simply being aware of them puts us into pure awareness - a wide, open consciousness that reveals wisdom and compassion.

That is our refuge. In addition to meaning “place of protection”, we can look at refuge as “our home”. This is where we live, where we abide. And being aware of whatever comes up brings us home, and protects us from being swept away by circumstances, thoughts, emotions, and the ever-changing winds of personality.

In this home, dwelling and taking refuge in awareness, we experience a warm, compassionate, wide overview of these things that come up, and they no longer upset us. Like a loving mother comforting a child, our Buddha-nature - that pure awareness - envelops those conditions, us, and the world with wise compassion!!

Photo: Ramiro Pianarosa