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Dharma Talks
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2013-09-05
The Illusion of Self, Equanimity and Beyond the Abyss
53:01
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Leela Sarti
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To ask 'who am I?' is not a theoretical or esoteric question, but a practical question to ask in the midst of life. A steadiness of awareness makes it possible to trace the process of identity in relationship to body, mind, our belief, our roles, our situations in life and beyond any sense of self. When we are less identified we become more spacious and easy going. The radiant heart quality of equanimity - upekka - is essential when it comes to loosening fixed identity and living a life that embraces form and emptiness in a natural and authentic way.
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Gaia House
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Embodying the Awakened Heart
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2013-09-03
Five Preconditions for Insight: Wise Effort (the fourth precondition)
33:04
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Shaila Catherine
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The Buddha taught that there are five preconditions necessary for the development of meditation practice in seclusion—good friends, virtue and restraint,
engaging in talk on the Dhamma, wise effort, wisdom. These preconditions, presented in the Meghiya Sutta, are developed progressively and support one another. This talk explores the role of effort and energy on the path of awakening. We make the effort to avoid and abandon unwholesome states, and to cultivate and maintain wholesome states. We apply our energy with diligence and balance. If too lax we will fall short of the goal and permit obstructions to distract the attention; if there is too much striving and forced effort we will exhaust ourselves and become discouraged. Right effort is balanced between relaxation and vigor; it is appropriate to the situation—applying just enough strength to meet the current conditions with wisdom and clarity. Skillful effort requires the commitment to endure difficult and painful situations without becoming disheartened. We persevere on our path, adjusting the quality of effort with mindfulness and sensitivity.
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Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley
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Tuesday Talks
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