Wisdom needs compassion, compassion needs wisdom; mindfulness cultivates both.

The five subjects or themes that the Buddha considered important for frequent recollection are: 1. I am of the nature to age; I have not gone beyond ageing 2. I am of the nature to sicken; I have not gone beyond sickness 3. I am of the nature to die; I have not gone beyond dying 4. All that is mine, beloved and pleasing, will become otherwise, will become separated from me 5. I am the owner of my kamma, heir to my kamma, born of my kamma. Whatever kamma I shall do, for good or for ill, of that I will be the heir. To contemplate these themes brings us in direct contact with the truth of things, especially the truth of dukkha, or suffering. Fully understanding these truths allows us to open to the reality of our life, and every life, and deepens our capacity for compassion.

Cultivating the habit of a mind that responds with wisdom and compassion.

A discussion of the truth of Not-Self and how we can see it in our own direct experience. How this seeing comes out of compassion and supports it.

Clearly knowing our mind states and relating with wisdom and compassion opens the path to awakening.

The Buddha taught that our suffering arises from forgetting who we are. This talk explores the trance of identifying as Somebody, and the compassionate witnessing that allows us to discover the freedom of our natural being.

How your practice can unfold as yhou leave retreat includes seeing it as a path of happiness; value of opening to suffering; learning to listen to the truth inside and expressing your caring as compassionate action.

When we experience hostility and ill will, rather than simply acknowledging it, we stick it into ourselves, and begin to assume we’re unwelcome or unworthy. We can use meditation to change the flavor of the heart, steeping it in the qualities of the brahmavihara (goodwill, compassion, gladness, equanimity).

Activation is followed by feeling and action (kamma). The general advice is to give attention to “how I’m feeling” rather than “what I’m going to do about it”. This is a relational approach: not to try to feel a certain kind of feeling, but just know how I’m feeling, how I’m being affected. Empathy is being with the feeling without being triggered, and reactive. This is the practice of kindness, compassion and equanimity – at the most long-term level.