A reflection on the comparing and judging mind highlighted with stories and readings. Includes a useful practice based on a quote from the 3rd Zen Patriarch: "The burdensome practice of judging brings annoyance and weariness." The evening ends with a brief discussion with the sangha. This talk was also given at the February 2011 month-long retreat at Spirit Rock:
Working with the Judging Mind
When difficult emotions arise in our practice, developing a skillful and willing relationship is an important part of the path. Emotions are the natural human response, and a natural and important part of the path.
Our longing is to realize and embody loving presence, yet we each have deeply conditioned habits that bind our hearts. This talk reflects on these habits, and explores how we can free ourselves by bringing a mindful, compassionate attention to places where we are most trapped in feeling separate, fearful and unworthy.
We review our previous exploration of concentration practices with further treatment of 1) wise effort, 2) how concentration deepens toward the Jhanas, and 3) the relationship of concentration and insight practice.
The Buddha took effort to its far point, bringing himself close to death in the pursuit of awakening. Then he had a change of understanding, let go of self-punishment and awoke. We too need to discern when our effort is skillful, and when we are out of balance in striving. How to recognize and let go of unskillful striving.
We naturally want to reject, ignore, deny, our unpleasant experience. In this talk Martin both encourages us and shows how to turn our attention "fearwards", daring to look deeply and to see clearly through our defenses and distractions, to freedom from fear.
The First Noble Truth, that of "Dukkha" -- is to be understood, so said The Buddha -- yet often when we think about it, our reactions can tend towards aversion: "life is suffering." I feel this is an inaccurate reflection of the freeing potential of understanding this teaching.
This talk explores maintaining an open and inquiring attitude to all that arises. We are reminded that there is no wrong experience, no feeling we shouldn't have; that all experience is worthy of our caring, curious, contactful attention.
In honor of Valentine's Day, Wes reflects on everybody's favorite 4-letter word. As usual, he provides an insightful and entertaining perspective on the topic illustrated with a wealth of poetry. A discussion with the sangha ends the evening.
Our longing is to realize and embody loving presence, yet we each have deeply conditioned habits that bind our hearts. This talk reflects on these habits, and explores how we can free ourselves by bringing a mindful, compassionate attention to places where we are most trapped in feeling separate, fearful and unworthy.
We review the basics of concentration practice,and then focus on concentration practice as a path of purification, and then on wise effort in concentration practice.
Desire forms the sense of self by fracturing the mind into what it wants compared to what it has. In moving with what it wants, it has to dismiss or resist reality (what it has) and form its own imaginative response. The sense of self is part of that fantasy buildup and has a central role in keeping it going.
