We are living through an incredible period, with impermanence being displayed in all its glory on a daily basis. Each day brings another jarring event, both sociologically, medically and personally. It’s truly revolutionary what’s taking place. The Buddha lived in revolutionary times as well, and there are some parallels which can provide guidance during these challenging times. How do we live lives of meaning when fear prevents us from socializing? How do we contend with those with whom we firmly disagree? How can we welcome others not just into our sangha, but into our lives? Essentially, we are looking for ways to create a kinder wiser society which is beginning to emerge from the current chaos. It’s a real revolution!
Generosity – What Is So Badly Needed at This Moment
It is reported that the Historical Buddha, when speaking to community groups and practitioners, would always begin his talks with a discussion of the meaning and importance of generosity. This is because the Buddha considered generosity the pathway to compassion, wisdom and ethical conduct.
This evening with be an exploration and discussion of this quality of mind and heart which seems so badly needed at this particular moment in our country’s history.
This will include an examination of the meaning of generosity; a practical model for evaluating the role generosity plays in our individual lives; and realistic ways to experiment with bringing more of it into our lives, relationships and our engagement with social, economic, cultural and political issues.
Here’s the flyer to a 9-week course that Dennis Warren will be teaching, Living on the Other Side of Suffering – An Experiment in Opening the Heart and Becoming More Fully Human.
(Click image to expand)
The word “freedom” means different things to different people, depending on what limits are imposed on them. Currently, many people are calling for “freedom” from the public health guidelines that ask us to keep physical distance from others and not gather in large groups. The idea of “freedom” in the Buddhist psychology has a very different context. For many, the aspiration for practicing meditative awareness is freedom from greed hatred and delusion, freedom from “suffering.” This freedom has the potential to lead to cessation, “the unshakeable liberation of mind.” Let’s explore some meanings of freedom, the ways recommended by the Buddha for approaching and finding freedom, and how we might apply these teachings to our current cirumstances.
Here are a few points that were mentioned in this talk:
- Detailed sutta for this talk: Majjhima Nikāya 19: Two Kinds of Thought
- The non-profit Buddhist Pathways Prison Project
- The book Mindful of Race: Transforming Racism from the Inside Out
- The documentary The Abolitionists Series
- There are several reading lists if you search the internet, for example 10 Books About Race To Read …
- Shirley Weber’s (D-San Diego) AB3121 will establish a task force to develop reparations for African Americans.
Gratefulness – One of the Most Unrated and Important Practices
The Historical Buddha said that one of the rarest persons to appear on this planet is one who is grateful and who responds with an urge to help. That’s quite a statement given the Buddha’s habit of understatement.
If the appearance of Grateful people on the planet is so rare, why does it seem to be such an unrated and infrequently taught quality of mind? What is Gratefulness from a Buddhist perspective? Why is it so important?
We’ll explore these questions, specific ways to experiment with bringing more Gratefulness into our lives, and the role Gratefulness plays in encouraging and supporting Loving-Kindness, Compassion, Equanimity and Joy.
TBD is an acronym that stands for “To Be Determined.” So many aspects of our lives right now are “to be determined”: When will schools re-open? When will a vaccine for COVID-19 be developed? When will I be able to visit [insert your favorite person’s name here]? When will I be able to go to a retreat center? The answers to all these questions and so many more will flow from a complex set of causes and conditions over which we have no control. So, how does that feel? How can we use the practice of meditative awareness to develop a sense of ease with changing and uncertain conditions? How can we apply both wisdom and compassion to work with this question?
We will also explore an alternate interpretation of “To Be Determined.” One of the ten paramis is adhitthana, or determination, in the sense of resoluteness or resolve. It may be helpful as the stay-at-home orders continue to cultivate an attitude of determination lightened by patience and kindness. We will look at how these qualities of mind might be applied to the way things are right now.
Body, Nervous System, and Energy Practices and Teachings for COVID-19 Times and For Anytime
The Paradox of Physical Distancing…Finding Connection
Join co-hosts Rev. Diane Wilde and Rich Howard on Zoom for a community evening looking at how we can connect in this extraordinary time of physical distancing and potential isolation. After we sit together, Diane and Rich will give short “dharmettes” to introduce the theme. The rest of the evening will be a chance for community members to share their experience and wisdom on how we are using the practice of meditative awareness in this time and what we are learning about our attachments in the process.