CARES AND TROUBLES

Be thou beware! Oh awakening mind

Of cares are troubles that you will find

With newfound wisdom you may engage the world

But untold cares and troubles, often unfold

Oh searching soul! These cares and trouble are of many a kind

Differing strategies, just to sabotage the mind

Some cares and troubles, are rid by insight

And,  some are rid by restraint

Some cares and troubles, are rid by use

And,  some are rid by endurance

Some cares and troubles are rid by avoidance

And some are rid by dispersal, and some by cultivation

Such are the cares and troubles of differing kinds

The ones that sink, the even so slightly distracted minds

Oh diligent mind! What are the cares and troubles got rid by reflection and insight?

As, reflections may be unwise, or reflections may be wise

So are its fruits of this very device

 Reflecting unwisely, on self and its self-importance

Cares and troubles, that have not yet risen, rise and, those risen, increase.

Ideas of self, and its self importance, entangle in opinions and views

A jungle of views and a wilderness of views

Enmeshed in the net of overwhelming views  

The broth of sorrow and suffering, readily brews

However, reflecting wisely on the selflessness and humility

And insight into the dependently rising curtain of reality

Cares and troubles that had not yet arisen, never rise and, those risen, vanish

Such are the cares and troubles, got rid by reflection and insight

Oh diligent mind!   What are the cares and troubles got rid by restraint?

Senses without moderation

Indulgence without self-control

Seeing and hearing without moderation

Speaking and acting without restraint

Such are the cares and troubles got rid by restraint!

OH diligent mind! What are the cares and troubles got rid by use!

Foods for sustenance and not for pleasure

Medication for pain and not for intoxication

Material goods for necessity and not for greed

Talents and skills developed out of duty and not for pride

Such are the cares and troubles got rid by use!

OH diligent mind! What are the cares and troubles got rid by endurance?

Torpor and sloth, when they overwhelm you

Lust and desire, when they distort your senses

Heat and cold, hunger and thirst, when your goal lies is beyond them

Hurtful language, for the sake of compassion

Inevitable suffering by the virtue of acceptance

Such are the cares and troubles got rid by endurance!

Oh diligent mind!   What are the cares and troubles got rid by avoidance?

Places that preclude, unwholesome deeds

People and company who make you crave for unwanted needs  

Actions that foster unhealthy habits

Habits that produce unwholesome consequences

Such are the cares and troubles got rid by avoidance

Oh diligent mind!   What are the cares and troubles got rid by dismissal?

Dismissing unwholesome thoughts

Not tolerating, rejecting, and  discarding,   all thinking that leads to hatred or violence.

Not tolerating, rejecting and destroying, thoughts of lust, greed and delusion  

Such are the cares and troubles got rid by dismissal!

Oh diligent mind! What are the cares and troubles got rid by cultivation!

 Nurturing and practicing,  attention and detachment

 Avoiding passion controlled actions

 Learning to desist, overpowering impulses

 

 Understanding suffering and joy; calmness, and concentration

Thus cultivating mindfulness

Such are cares and troubles got rid by cultivation!

Oh diligent mind! Now I fathom the wisdom of the years

Some cares and troubles, are rid by insight, restraint and use  

And some are rid by endurance and avoidance

Some are rid by dispersal and some by cultivation

Such are the cares and troubles got rid by wisdom

Having rid off all such cares and troubles

The illusion of self and its inherent craving fall apart

The Truth beyond the self, reveals itself ;and  suffering finally stops

Oh diligent mind!  Awakened thus ! What more is enlightenment!