Everything arises and passes away, like the breath. How to not be frightened by this or experience "existential angst" from inevitable loss in connection is often what brings us into practice. Liberation is in the heart that is wide enough to hold joy as well as the greatest pain of loss. In managing inevitable loss, we become kinder, softer, gentler and much more careful. To liberate "fixed point of view," we stay awake and attentive, always open for new insights to our stories about ourselves and others. Views change, bodies change, relationships change, but what does not change is the capacity of the heart to respond with compassion and lovingkindness.

integration of the understanding of wisdom practice and compassion

teachings of patience, which lead to compassion and wisdom

Compassion is classically described as the quivering or trembling of the heart in response to suffering. Our habituated responses may be to deny or repress our suffering. As we learn to open to suffering with a balanced mind, we discover the natural responsiveness of the heart which brings us into a relationship of care and concern for the world we live in.

Much of our suffering is due to a pervasive and often buried sense of core deficiency. This talk investigates the source of self-aversion, how it hides and the enormous healing and freedom that is possible when this life-binding experience of shame is brought into compassionate awareness.