Having trouble getting out of bed on cold morning? Then use the adhitthana paramita, or the practice of perfecting of one’s determination
For example, if one wakes up at 4:45am, then one can make the determination to get out of bed before the clock turns to 4:46am. Then it becomes almost a challenge to oneself and one will surely get out of bed before the clock turns to 4:46am.
This determination is also useful when before going to sleep. One can determine to oneself to wake up at a certain time in the morning, e.g. 5am. Then amazingly one does actually wake up close to or at that time. To awaken like this naturally rather than by using an alarm, also makes it easier to awake. However be sure to set the alarm to 15 or so minutes after the target time, e.g. 5:15am, just in case.
The adhitthana paramita is also useful in other situations where one makes a strong determination to achieve a certain goal or outcome. It could be to stay exactly concentrated on the topic of meditation for the duration of the meditation without getting distracted or moving around, to observe eight precepts on every weekend, to read a discourse on Buddhism daily and so on.
The adhitthana paramita can help us to achieve objectives which we otherwise may not. May you be determined! May you achieve all your objectives! May the addhitthana paramita help you to gain the lasting peace of Nibbana!
See Also
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pāramitā
Photo source: http://ipm.comxa.com/aloka/journal12.htm
