There is no question more engaging, universal and mysterious than the question: ‘Who Am I?’ As soon as we move out of automatic living and start to question and explore who or what we are, we open a Pandora’s Box and our life can get dramatically more deep and interesting, and sometimes more disturbing. We find ourselves in a world of paradox, mystery, and yet unimagined freedom. ‘Who is in charge of my life?’ ‘What in me is changing and what is constant?’ ‘Which of the many voices within me can I rely on?’ ‘How can I let go of the sense of separation between me and the world?’ ‘Is my life leading me somewhere?’ Questions such as these become a journey of discovery. They help us peel off the layers of conditioning and beliefs and live more wisely, more lightly and more freely. In the dharma, we meet ourselves as a constantly changing field of experience, not as an intellectual puzzle. We are actually more transparent than we first thought. This is an insight into anatta, non-self, and sunyata, emptiness. This removes the veil or filter through which we usually view the world, which then appears meaningful, joyful, and unlimited. In this event, we will explore these questions concerning self and world, by means of a talk, meditation, and inquiry.

There is no question more engaging, universal and mysterious than the question: ‘Who Am I?’

There is no question more engaging, universal and mysterious than the question: ‘Who Am I?’

I hope coming to the monastery, sitting together, and listening to the Dharma provides you with a sense of refuge in these times of unsettled political climate, social divide, and global uncertainty. I've been thinking about how the practice can provide a "place" to come back to when we need clarity and balance. Unfortunately, that "place" is not always easily accessed when one is stressed or overwhelmed even though it's in those times we need it the most. I want to address this in the meditation instructions and Dharma talk by emphasizing ways to become more grounded in the present moment and understanding of how to familiarize ourselves with the unwholesome mind states that can spin us into more fear and unrest. When we strengthen our capacity in this way, we find we have more agency to meet personal and global realities that are difficult to face while still cultivating deep happiness, equanimity, and joy in life.

One of the greatest roots of suffering is being at war with ourselves. This meditation, based on the acronym RAIN (recognize-allow-investigate-nurture), guides us in releasing the armoring of blame, and relating to our inner life with greater understanding and compassion.

After a brief account of the ten parameters of transformation that we’re considering in this series, we look at one of them--the ordinary habitual “heart,” our emotions and our access (or not) to kindness and care. We examine many factors that block or limit the awakened heart of kindness and love, including greed, hatred, and delusion; several dimensions of social and historical conditioning; the split between mind, body, and emotions; unhealed wounds; emotions like fear and anger; and attachment to views. We point to some of the ways, including in meditation practice, to access the awakened heart.