Setting Your Motivation

Heathens, 1920 by Hilma af Klint 

From "An Open Hearted Life"

We have many different motivations, linked to a wide range of goals -- we may want to form and maintain relationships; acquire money, status or possessions; pursue meaning and happiness in life.  At other times we may not be aware of our motivations at all -- going through the day checking off items on a "to do" list, disconnected from the awareness of why we're doing these things. However, it's possible for us to choose and consciously cultivate a motivation in our minds, just as we cultivate seeds in a garden. Specifically, we can resolve to do whatever it is we're doing for beneficial reasons. There are considerable advantages to doing this: the motivation behind an action -- the reason we're doing it -- deeply influences the manner in which we do the action, how we feel while we're doing it, as well as the outcome of the activity.  Over time, pausing to consciously cultivate a compassionate motivation before we act can transform our mental state, assisting us to make wise decisions and enhancing our lives.  

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Buddhist teachers encourage us to examine our motives before we act, making sure they are not selfish or unkind, and that our ultimate goal is to benefit others and free them from suffering. Imagine acting with the motivatio to free all beings -- including yourself -- from suffering.  Try not to get caught up thinking, "That's silly, there's no way I could possibly do that." Simply imagine how you would feel, think and behave if you had such a motive.

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Try taking a moment to set your motivations each morning before getting out of bed: "Today I will do my best to show kindness and compassion to those with whom I interact." "Today I will try to be less judgmental." "Today, I will provide a model of patience and perseverance for my children, so they will learn these qualities." Experiment with setting your motivation in this way each morning and see how this impacts your day.