The Importance of self compassion and self respect in the face of The Four Noble Truths.

Some reflections on how both wisdom and compassion mutually support each other and naturally grow in our practice.

How can we process deep pain and turn it into deepening compassion and understanding? Kaye Cleave shares her moving story with James and the community about losing her 18-year old daughter and finding a way to transform her grief into meaningful beneficial action. The talk begins with this video about her trip to Nepal to build a school in honor of her daughter. To view the video: Catherine's Gift, go to Youtube.com at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HILTuvNRXrg

Mindfulness and compassionate action as they relate to our theme, "Reclaiming the Wisdom of the Mother of All Buddhas".

When we are trying to control life, we are removed from presence, and act in ways that separate us from others and solidify the experience of being a insecure self. This talk explores our often unconscious strategies of seeking power, and the ways that mindful and compassionate awareness reconnects us to the source of true empowerment. When empowered we tap into the universal flow of love, wisdom and creativity. We are free to respond to life with “a heart that is ready for anything.”

How we perceive the body from the inside and the outside, how mindfulness and compassion helps with physical and emotional pain.

What is Mindfulness Practice? Mindfulness is the practice of opening to and accepting life just as it is - a constantly changing, conditioned process. To begin, we must make the necessary effort to calm the mind and body. Without this first step our intention to be present is often overwhelmed by our habits of reactivity and struggle - trying to fix or control the conditions of the moment. To calm the mind and body we practice connecting and sustaining our attention to ordinary experience in each moment; for example, the sensations of the breath coming and going or the sensations of lifting and placing each foot as we walk. This simple and clear patient knowing is at the heart of mindfulness practice. Tranquility arises by training the attention to return to the present moment experience over and over again. This training is directed by an understanding heart that appreciates that no matter how difficult it appears to be, our practice is to recognize what is happening and to gently return the attention to the conditions as they are in the moment. It is our persistent effort that calms the mind, energizes our practice and leads to insight. We can use ordinary experience, such as the breath, as a refuge - a place to keep coming back to. Over time, this capacity to be present becomes a great friend and allows us to relate to all experience with greater clarity, trust and acceptance. The ability to abide with the flow of experience creates the context for insight to arise. Wisdom, compassion and peace of equanimity are the fruit of these deepening insights.

Cultivating self compassion and mindfulness. Bringing mind and heart together

This talk looks at how all parts of your psychology can lead to wholeness. Meeting all of yourself with compassion and connection creates awakening. When Nun Izuimi Shikibu (974-0134 AD) became enlightened she reflected on this experience; "I knew myself completely; no part left out."

James talks about the new book he co-authored with classroom teacher, Michele Lilyanna, and the importance of planting seeds of wisdom and compassion in the hearts of future generations.

Daylong retreat at Columban Asbl, 1300 Wavre, Belgium. Offered in English and translated into French.

We can use the body as a means to pause from immediate reactions and perceptions. From this place we can extend, allowing a shift so that something more compassionate, spacious, and authentic can arise.

Mary Oliver wrote: "Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this too was a gift." When life brings us unwanted suffering it's sometimes possible to use the experience to deepen our wisdom and compassion, what has been called "grace disguised as obstacles."

As our practice matures we are encouraged to cultivate healthier more compassionate relationships with those energies of life that obscure our natural perfected heart. In this talk we explore the origins of these energies and a perspective on them that creates harmony both inside and out.

Metta

Recollection of Qualities of Refuge in Pali. 5 Subjects of Frequent Recollection. Cultivation of Well Being. Highest Blessings (Mangala Sutta). 4 Brahma Viharas(Divine Abiding). Heart Sutra. Great Compassion Mantra.

Where is safety in a world burning with greed, hatred, fear and violence? It is within us. Under the protective canopy of Dhamma, with unshakeable faith in the Buddha's awakening, we purify the heart – emulating his tactical strategies for training the mind to abandon unskillful physical and mental habits. We look for 'nothing' apart from how to wisely observe and truly see with penetrating discernment, and how to let go the delusion of self-identity. Secluded from the world, awareness knows imperturbable peace. This is the path of selflessness, of generosity, of great compassion, of harmlessness.

Beyond self obsession. Cultivating heart within the relational field. Supporting a sustainable world. A deadly situation turned around by the power of compassion.

Metta

Mindfulness and compassion meet the hindrances - recognizing, allowing, investigating with intimate attention and nourishing with compassion.