While in the midst of those who hate, to dwell free from hatred is happiness indeed.
DHAMMAPADA v. 197
The teachings we receive from the Buddha and the great disciples can serve to inspire us. Feeling inspired leads to feeling energised. Then we are encouraged to skilfully apply this energy in the process of purifying our hearts and minds from habits of resisting reality. In reality most of us do still suffer from becoming lost in aversion, in sadness, in disappointment. And we probably do still feel challenged by our compulsive tendencies to resist the pain of life. Skilful effort in practice means we are neither in too much of a hurry, nor are we are too tardy. Although it can be tempting to grasp at the desire for difficulties to end, if we wish to follow the teachings of the Buddha, we recollect how he also taught about modesty and patience.
Q: "How can we learn to really let go of deep trauma?"
(approx. 12 minutes) KEYWORDS: “When you've been affected by a deep personal trauma that results in emotional responses such as ' betrayal', 'deep disappointment ', 'ingratitude', and so forth, how can we learn to really 'let go'?” (approx. 12 minutes) KEYWORDS: 'How can we wisely address our impacted body mind states? Whilst the head can come to a better place, the heart continuously struggles. How can we move beyond regret, and the deluded self?'Vibhavatanha, printing press, self-improvement, in-breath, victims, denied dukkha, Vulture’s Peak, backlog, overwhelmed, sadness, anger, good friends, exercise routine, singing, compassion.
Q: What Is Open-Hearted Awareness And How To Nurture It?
(approx. 13 minutes)Keywords: Open window, unobstructed, absence, heart contraction, numb, skill, traditional formula, presence, tension, softening, interest, motivation, nature, retreat, metta bhavana, karaniya metta sutta, giggling, greedy, entitled, fear of loss, Ajahn Dukkha, learning a language, vague, fortitude, willing to feel uncomfortable, contentment, nothing special, normality, empathy.
CONTRIBUTING COMPASSION: full moon - 27th December, 2023
"Disciples of the Buddha are fully awake both day and night taking delight in compassion." DHAMMAPADA v. 300
When we watch the news and witness all the sadness, we easily feel inadequate in our wish to help. If we are not careful we become lost in despair. To limit how much news we watch is sensible, but to stop altogether so as to avoid feeling inadequate, would be a pity. Because we don’t have the power to stop people from following greed, hatred and delusion, does not mean we have nothing to give. It might seem that way to followers of the religion of materialism, but for those cultivating the heart of awareness – cittabhavana – compassion can be our contribution. Don’t underestimate the power of a heart that can stay open in the midst of suffering. It is when the heart closes, and sensitivity is obstructed, that intelligence is compromised.