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.
The Buddha pointed to at least five routes to different levels of happiness for lay people: sense pleasures, merit, concentration, insight, and awakening.
