Thanks to all those who came tonight - we had a great discussion and mindful sharing of good food!
-- Here is an excerpt of the dharma talk I referenced, by Gil Fronsdal
the Five Hindrances -
We need to get to know the hindrances very well; not to say or label these things as being inherently bad, but to understand them. There's something very powerful about seeing - because it disarms the power of the hindrance. Like when the Buddha says, "Mara, I see you"
For the hindrance of desire - we can see it and know it deeply, how it works in our lives, what it takes not to be hooked on it, how to gain freedom from it. It's easy just to "see" but that's not enough - we want to cultivate our understanding. The reflection on these hindrances is really important.
There's a great metaphor of think about our mind as a pond - we need it to be still in order to see clearly.
For the hindrance of desire - we can see it and know it deeply, how it works in our lives, what it takes not to be hooked on it, how to gain freedom from it. It's easy just to "see" but that's not enough - we want to cultivate our understanding. The reflection on these hindrances is really important.
There's a great metaphor of think about our mind as a pond - we need it to be still in order to see clearly.
With sensual desires, it's like putting a drop of dye in the pond, so everything is colored. We don't see clearly because there's a filter.
With ill will - like boiling water in the pond
With sloth and torpor - it's like algae growing, mucky
With restlessness and anxiety - its a powerful wind blowing that agitates the water
With doubt - the pond is filled with mud
Think of yourself as a naturalist - you see something in your mind, and now you want to understand it better. These are not personal qualities - everyone has these, it's not something personal only to you, it is a universal quality.
How to deal with them?
First, see them clearly, then we are not so trapped.
When you're caught, don't make a decision.
Try not to react to respond in reactive way. Rather, say to yourself, "Oh, anger has arisen."
Know when the hindrance is absent. The contrast helps us catch the hindrances earlier - if you're aware of what it feels like when the hindrance has just passed by. When you recognize a healthy state, it helps strengthen it. And there's a sense if joy in that.
On Friday, May 30, 2014 8:02:52 PM UTC-4, Amy Dona wrote:
With ill will - like boiling water in the pond
With sloth and torpor - it's like algae growing, mucky
With restlessness and anxiety - its a powerful wind blowing that agitates the water
With doubt - the pond is filled with mud
Think of yourself as a naturalist - you see something in your mind, and now you want to understand it better. These are not personal qualities - everyone has these, it's not something personal only to you, it is a universal quality.
How to deal with them?
First, see them clearly, then we are not so trapped.
When you're caught, don't make a decision.
Try not to react to respond in reactive way. Rather, say to yourself, "Oh, anger has arisen."
Know when the hindrance is absent. The contrast helps us catch the hindrances earlier - if you're aware of what it feels like when the hindrance has just passed by. When you recognize a healthy state, it helps strengthen it. And there's a sense if joy in that.
On Friday, May 30, 2014 8:02:52 PM UTC-4, Amy Dona wrote:
Downtown Dharma sangha-members,There is also a schedule change for this Sunday, June 1. Though Hugh was scheduled to teach, he has been called out of town. So instead sangha-members will lead the meditation and facilitate a discussion on crux between the most recent topics, the five hindrances, and the next set of topics, the five aggregates. The schedule will be the same: we'll meet from 6:00-7:30 on the second floor of the Church of the Holy City (1611 16th Street, NW).The monthly potluck will take place this Sunday, so you are invited to bring a vegetarian dish to share. We try to minimize the waste from the potlucks, so also try to bring your own dish and utentials.I hope you will be able to join us.Namaste, Amy
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "IMCW Downtown Dharma social/volunteer listserv" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to downtowndharma+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to downtowndharma@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/downtowndharma.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
0 comments:
Post a Comment