-
Stillness
We usually associate change with lots of moving around, but deep change comes through stillness. It’s associated with pleasure – not sense pleasure but heart pleasure. It’s a shift to learn to pause and lift from the engagement. Citta (heart/mind) qualities come through in this stillness and we can meet what arises with openness and… Read more
-
True Refuge in Times of war
Perhaps all of us have encountered people in our lives that seem to radiate acceptance, peace and good will. We may seek out their presence, teachings, or look to reminders of them, during times of strife. But what if we ourselves could each become an oasis during hard times—not by denying suffering, but by looking right… Read more
-
Awareness, in depth
What is the nature of awareness? Does it differ from consciousness and mindfulness? Who or what is doing the knowing of what appears? This week, Ron guided our reflections, drawing on a talk by Guy Armstrong addressing these critical questions. The key topic was the nature of Consciousness, as defined by the Buddha in the… Read more
-
Attending the Body, Freeing the Mind
Cultivating mindfulness, we learn how to pay attention to what might once have seemed ordinary or unimportant. Can it be that looking deeply into the body, and learning how it shapes and holds our experience — memory, habit, belief — might help us to avoid delusion and find the freedom we seek? Eric, drawing on a talk… Read more
-
Distraction
As we progress with our practice, we may discover that there are moments, or even long periods of peaceful concentration. And these moments may occur even outside of formal meditation; we may be focused on a work task, a family task, even a beautiful song or a cup of tea. When such states are present,… Read more
-
The Deeper Meaning of Sangha
The Buddha taught that Three Refuges support us in our practice: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. In the sangha, the “Third Jewel”, we can reflect and find inspiration. In sangha, our minds become harmonized, our bodies are invigorated, and our hearts are warmed. This week, Stephanie brought to our group the investigation of what makes a sangha… Read more
