(approx. 11 minutes) KEYWORDS: Q:You mentioned honesty, generosity, mindfulness, a healthy body, and Sangha as pillars to support one in opening to and processing denied dukkha. Sangha is not a straightforward thing for lay people, in these days of utter loneliness and disconnection, particularly for those that are mid aged and older. If appropriate, could you comment on belonging, and building Sangha for lay people? Regular exercise routine, Western Buddhists, Ariya Sangha, monastic sangha, colloquial, youth, trust, heart energy, our own best friend, disconnected, head, heart, belly, consumer culture, wisdom culture encourages us to befriend ourselves, Dhammapada v.157, trustworthy companions, Intentional Contentment, Dhammapada v.61.
Q: How Might Those With A Scientific Background Relate To Teachings On Rebirth?
(approx. 11 minutes) KEYWORDS:Q: "For those of us with a Western scientific back ground, some of the more metaphysical teachings of the Buddha's teachings such as rebirth are hard to make sense of. And even from the perspective of the teaching on Anatta, rebirth is hard to make sense of! Please could you give advice on how to relate to those parts of the teachings that seem to require belief in things we cannot know for ourselves and also the parts of the teachings that we plain just don’t understand.” Engage the paradox, dilemma, clinging, fear, selfless just-knowing awareness, anatta, compulsively taking sides, intelligence, not-knowing, laws of materiality, laws of consciousness, gravity, conceptual formulation, trust, study, uncertainty, greed, poison, humility, modesty, abdication, True Principles, not avoiding responsibility, dilemmas are a gift.