For many, sight is the primary connection to the outside world. We marvel at a sunset, smile at an infant, react to a political poster. These sights can bring pleasure or anger, connection or revulsion. But are we aware of the act of seeing itself? “Why have we never noticed seeing?” asks Sayadaw U Tejaniya. We will explore the differences between looking and seeing and its implications for our formal meditation and daily life practice.
Here is how we grow spiritually: We develop a Conceptual Model of the teachings of the Historical Buddha, their underlying psychology and supporting practice methods; we test that model through trial and error in living so it becomes an Experiential Model; then, we internalize it so it becomes an Intuitive Response.
A pivotal aspect of this growth process is fully integrating the understanding and experience of “Consciousness.” In Buddhist practice, Consciousness is not an idea, abstract theory or philosophical term. It is a concrete and defining experience.
Opening to this experience through specific practice methods is what allows us to access qualities of mind and heart like expansiveness, spaciousness, a deep experience of rest rather than struggle, and a pervasive sense of inter-connectedness.
During this evening, we’ll explore specific elements of the meditation process that lead to these experiences as well as ways to explore the experience of Consciousness in daily life.
Two books that Dennis mentioned are
Zoom Chat
* In Love with the world: A monk’s journey through the bardos of living and dying by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche
* Interconnected: Embracing Life in Our Global Society by The Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje
Grief: Meditation practice with loss and change
Change is a constant in life but for many of us the last year has brought more intense and radical change, much of it unwelcomed and challenging. There is so much suffering these days due to loss and grief. Rates of depression, anxiety, addiction and suicide are at an all time high. Tonight we will explore using our meditation practice tools to find relief, understanding and acceptance of our losses and to use grief as a doorway into deeper insights. Jeff shares some personal stories of loss and sorrow and liberation from the healthcare frontlines of the pandemic. He discusses many useful practices to work with our individual and collective grief and suffering.
The Challenge of Practicing Nonattachment as a Lay Person
Monks and ascetics in the Buddha’s time practiced non-attachment which meant leaving wives, husbands, parents, children, and society. Contemporary monastics also take on the homeless life which the Buddha said was necessary for complete “awakening.” Where does this leave lay people? Lay people value the teachings, but there is confusion about practicing non-attachment in everyday life. How can we keep ourselves free from attachment with those beings we care about… pets, partners, children, grandchildren, good friends. Tonight we will look at how lay people can practice with the challenge of attachment in our relationships, in order for our practice to grow — with the hope of achieving true freedom.
The mind tends to solidify experience and to grasp for security in comfort, familiarity, and habitual patterns. This is natural, a long-established pattern to help negotiate a complex world in the face of threats and unknowns. Even our language reinforces this dependence on solid objects versus processes, using nouns to translate words that are verbs in Pali, the original language of the early Buddhist texts. This talk will expand on the theme of investigating the concept of “self” that all three SIM faculty explored in February. Be prepared to share insights you may have received in working with this area of practice.
“Insight Meditation: A Psychology of Freedom” by Joseph Goldstein and “Crazy Wisdom” by Chögyam Trungpa
Books referenced in this talk
The Relationship Between Emptiness and Suchness
When we understand that direct experience is not solid/not separate, we can embrace experience in it’s changing conditionality with the heart of compassion and inclusion born of non-clinging. This is the inter-weaving of the teachings of Emptiness and Suchness, and the Talk will explore teachings and practices which support us to live from this Wiser View.
“Insight” – It’s Meaning, Importance & Role in Practice
“Insight” is considered the prime motivation and culmination of Buddhist practice because it leads to satisfaction, peace and happiness. It does this through liberating the mind and body from confusion, struggle and suffering. The importance of Insight is illustrated by this fact: if you remove Insight from practice, it is no longer Buddhist practice.
The talk and discussion this evening will focus on the meaning, importance and role of different types of Insight in practice and daily life.
We’ll look at the differences between cognitive, or thought-based, insight and insight that is based on our own, non-conceptual, direct-experience, particularly our experience in day-to-day events and relationships. We’ll explore those insights that are considered conventional, relative, or personal with those traditionally considered universal, non-personal and “liberating.”
The subject matter of this evening is directly relevant and applicable for all stages of practice.