Two questions about worry: Q1 Anxiety creeps in and brings imbalance and I fail to immediately recognize the signs. What can you advise? Q2 [continues] When sitting I go through the worry of being a failed mother of a grown-up child. Aversion, and craving how I'd like to see things different. I'm trying to be with these thoughts rather than in them. The inner tyrant exaggerates the situation. How do I deal with the worry? 16:47 Q3 Please explain about, and in what way, consciousness is an element. I've heard Ajahn Sumedho say it is an element. 30:34 Q4 Relationships are complicated and painful. However as my "don't take your life personally" practice goes on, it seems people around me can present problematic relationships. Another one: I've been experiencing feelings of being a misfit. Your speaking about personality as a "me bag" was illuminating and a release from taking it personally. But if I withdraw from others, I meet my inner critic and get berated for not fitting in. So I'm lost either way! Q5 38:03 I've become aware of a familiar feeling of being trapped as a result of my work situation. I can feel it and yet feel at ease at the same time. This was deeply heartening. Q5 41:02 Sometimes when you are talking there's a sharp nasal blowing sound. What's happening? It's quite jolting to the nerves as I'm listening. Also I noticed that you often laugh when things are distressing? What is this about? I don't mean to be respectful.

Erfahren wir etwas empfinden wir dieses als angenehm oder unangenehm. Das ist der erste Pfeil. Was geschieht, interpretieren wir als .persönlichen Erfolg oder Versagen. Wir verwickeln uns in Schuldzuweisungen, in Reaktionen und Gegenreaktionen. Wir stricken daraus unsere Persönlichkeit und die der anderen. Endlos entsteht weiteres Leid. Das können wir stoppen, indem wir den zweiten Pfeil unterlassen, den wir an uns selbst abschießen oder herausziehen. Der erste Pfeil dagegen ist unvermeidlich.

Gefühle gilt es tief zu verstehen durch unvoreingenommenes Betrachten. Auf der anderen Seite gilt es zu erkennen, welche Emotionen und Geisteszustände zu einer Verwicklung in Leid führen und welche nicht. Daraus ergibt sich, welche wir fördern wollen und welche nicht.

The Dhammapada is the most well-known collection of the Buddha's words. Consisting of 26 chapters in 423 verses, it contains pith teachings from discourses that are found throughout the Pali Canon. This talk explores some verses that are relevant in these times.

Situation Crafting in the social science of creating conditions that bring out the best in a group and/or an individual. One could see the teachings of the Buddha as elegant situation crafting with the aim of creating conditions that gradually led to awakening. Through meditation, contemplative inquiry, study, and reflection, we’ll explore how the teaching of spiritual friendship is a brilliant form of situation crafting that liberates the heart.

Short Reflection & Guided Meditation | Earthworm Practice for the Anthropocene III | Online Wednesday-Morning

Donald explores some of the main themes of his March retreat, connecting these themes to general aspects of our practice. He shares some images of the Spirit Rock land, a group of turkeys, his place of practice and altar in his room, and the bench where he twice a day carried out a kind of ritual "talking to" his parents, who are deceased. He focuses on themes of listening for what calls one in one's practice and his main practices during the retreat: concentration practice, metta practice, the Tibetan practice of tummo (the inner fire) and the life of Milarepa, and awakened awareness. He concludes by speaking of some ways of keeping the retreat going in daily life, and, in preparation for the appearance of the Garbanzo Bean, Donald's clown personality, some on humor and spiritual practice. There is then discussion, including an appearance by Guru Garbanzo Bean responding to some questions, and closing in which we remember and honor Cyndy Gagne, a sangha member who recently passed.

After getting a sense of those present and a self-introduction, there is a guided meditation. We start with a few words on posture and invite a short period to connect with what is alive in one's practice. Then there are instructions for developing samadhi (concentration), followed by several short periods of guidance to cultivate awareness of the energy of the body, to tap into a sense of happiness and perhaps joy, and then a sense of peace. There is then a short period of mindfulness followed by a few minutes of reflection on (1) what is "calling" now in one's life and practice, and (2) how best one can connect formal meditation and daily life.