Using forgiveness, patience, and humor as we open up to what is unpleasant without experiencing aversion, and to what is pleasant without experiencing grasping.
Insight as a shift of perception--How our perceptions give rise to thoughts, associations, interpretations--the whole realm of papanca and suffering. Not to be caught in papanca is to be at peace.
Mindfulness as bare attention is supported and developed by bringing the content of clear comprehension, or full awareness, into practice. This includes clear comprehension of purpose, of suitability, of domain of meditation, and of reality.
While Dharma practice takes courage to open to suffering, one also can bring a spirit of wonder and awe to the quality of investigation. We can open to the moment with interest, discovering reality in a fresh, new way.
The qualities of metta-lovingkindness-the essence of metta is simply connection. Exploring the habits of mind that obscure the natural recognition of non-separation which are desire and ill-will.
Renunciation of the activities and relationships in our daily life is one of the chief supports of meditative deepening on retreats. Because renunciation is the active practice of non-desire, it leads to greater peace and happiness.
Often without realizing it, painful emotions, like fear or anger give rise to the conviction that "something is wrong". When instead we receive our inner weather with an acceptance and wise attention, we reconnect with our national compassion and wholeness.
Through suttas and stories that teach us how to recognize and work with mara, we find that self judgment, temptation and fear can become Dharma gateways.
This talk combines fifteen years of my work in Alzheimer's Disease and the practice in Buddhism. How to wisely prepare the mind and heart for dementia. Dedicated to my father who died of Alzheimer's Disease.
