We started with a short 5 minute sit then picked up where we left off last time, discussing the need (or not) for a teacher. We talked of finding an author that one resonates with as one way of having a teacher and that there is also an emotional element which can be a powerful connector.
The discussion moved on to the different styles - Vipassana, Zen Philosophy vs. Zen Meditation and segued to some personal experiences on the cushion. Nadine's acceptance of thoughts during a sit, Gale's issues with falling asleep and whether to be accepting of the experience or explore if it may be a hindrance. We explored the idea of enlightenment being here all the time vs. being off in the future and what that meant for some of us.
We touched again on "dependent arising," "interdependence," "no-self" and "emptiness" and how all those terms point to the same concept.
Much was said on the idea of the "Middle Way". What does it refer to? A moral code? Claudine wondered how the Middle Way related to situations where there was most certainly a "right way" vs. a "wrong way" (the Milgram shock experiment stirred much discussion).
We closed with another short sit and agreed to read Chapters 10, 11 and 12 in Mindfulness in Plain English for the next meeting. We will meet at Claudine and Ginny's on Sunday April 11th (the second Sunday this time) at the usual time.
I love this group :-)
