Elisabeth - "Sounds True" podcast by Jeff Foster
Claudine - speaking skillfully is very difficult! Remembers Mark R. saying that if you speak skillfully there is very little to say
Constance - using speech just to do practical things?
Mary Ann - recent experience with a friend who wanted to be confrontational. How to avoid the bait.
Gale - after spending long times in silence, notices how much "conversation" is just a filler
Ginny - how does one redirect a negative conversation? And these wise words from Ghandi, "It is beyond my control"
Next meeting Sunday December 9. Read to page 222.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Finally! The October Synopsis
My apologies for this tardy entry....I've been busy....that's the usual accepted excuse right. Throw in a little dementia and we're cooking. Nadine does such a good job noting the process that I have decided to give it to you in all its glory. Now let's see if I can get an email out saying this entry has been made.
Bob - Mark's new office as a place to host 1/2 or full day sits.
Ken - passed around flyer on End of the Rains retreat in West Virginia. List of dana suggestions etc.
Nadine - pg.2 "instead of trying to control the world to make yourself happy, work to reduce your psychic irritants." Reminded her of something from a dharma talk - "Create the space for your delusions to exhaust themselves". Along the same thread of progressing from the most fleeting category of happiness, the "happiness of favorable conditions" to more stable forms of happiness pg.6. Ken prefers the word contentment to happiness.
Constance - liked the book for its aspect of logic in explanations. An evolving kind of learning where you can begin to make the connections yourself.
Ginny - experienced the mirror of unhappy people creating more unhappy people at the market this weekend by way of a woman exuding joy
Clo - expressed her ongoing struggle with the concepts of dissatisfaction and change and how they relate to the Buddhist ideals of pleasant/unpleasant/neutral.
Nadine pointed out that perhaps Claudine is already practicing skillfully by recognizing that unpleasant and dissatisfaction are not wholly "bad". Claudine already finds benefit in dissatisfactory situations.
Mary Ann also took issue with Bhante G's statement about change at the bottom of pg.34. Argued that change also brings happiness and contentment not anger and sadness as is said in the passage. Discussion about taking the statement in the context of everything that was written before it. The passage is part of a section titled "Understanding the First Truth: Dissatisfaction" and so is speaking specifically to that concept.
Gale - it is closer to say change makes me uncomfortable rather than that it is a source of pain
Ginny - question about how to deal with the unpleasant and dis-satisfactory nature of the current political season led to a long discussion involving the entire group. Ranging from Bob's complete disregard of the televised political propaganda to Claudine's passion and frustration over misinformation and voters decision making.
In response to Mary Ann's comments about personal responsibility Ken spoke about the need for government to avoid a "Tragedy of the Commons". Gale talked about the book "The Righteous Mind and how it has helped her understand opposing views.
Mary Ann closed the meeting by telling us of the upsetting incident involving a squirrel being killed by the car ahead of her on her way to the meeting and how watching a very active squirrel out the sun-room window during the meeting had balanced her mind.
Next Meeting: November 18 at Ginny and Claudine's
Read to end of page 148.
Special Note: Ken and Ginny are both showing artwork on November 8th from 4-6 at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton located at 1001 West 4th Street in Winston. Perhaps we can all go for dinner together after the event?
Bob - Mark's new office as a place to host 1/2 or full day sits.
Ken - passed around flyer on End of the Rains retreat in West Virginia. List of dana suggestions etc.
Nadine - pg.2 "instead of trying to control the world to make yourself happy, work to reduce your psychic irritants." Reminded her of something from a dharma talk - "Create the space for your delusions to exhaust themselves". Along the same thread of progressing from the most fleeting category of happiness, the "happiness of favorable conditions" to more stable forms of happiness pg.6. Ken prefers the word contentment to happiness.
Constance - liked the book for its aspect of logic in explanations. An evolving kind of learning where you can begin to make the connections yourself.
Ginny - experienced the mirror of unhappy people creating more unhappy people at the market this weekend by way of a woman exuding joy
Clo - expressed her ongoing struggle with the concepts of dissatisfaction and change and how they relate to the Buddhist ideals of pleasant/unpleasant/neutral.
Nadine pointed out that perhaps Claudine is already practicing skillfully by recognizing that unpleasant and dissatisfaction are not wholly "bad". Claudine already finds benefit in dissatisfactory situations.
Mary Ann also took issue with Bhante G's statement about change at the bottom of pg.34. Argued that change also brings happiness and contentment not anger and sadness as is said in the passage. Discussion about taking the statement in the context of everything that was written before it. The passage is part of a section titled "Understanding the First Truth: Dissatisfaction" and so is speaking specifically to that concept.
Gale - it is closer to say change makes me uncomfortable rather than that it is a source of pain
Ginny - question about how to deal with the unpleasant and dis-satisfactory nature of the current political season led to a long discussion involving the entire group. Ranging from Bob's complete disregard of the televised political propaganda to Claudine's passion and frustration over misinformation and voters decision making.
In response to Mary Ann's comments about personal responsibility Ken spoke about the need for government to avoid a "Tragedy of the Commons". Gale talked about the book "The Righteous Mind and how it has helped her understand opposing views.
Mary Ann closed the meeting by telling us of the upsetting incident involving a squirrel being killed by the car ahead of her on her way to the meeting and how watching a very active squirrel out the sun-room window during the meeting had balanced her mind.
Next Meeting: November 18 at Ginny and Claudine's
Read to end of page 148.
Special Note: Ken and Ginny are both showing artwork on November 8th from 4-6 at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton located at 1001 West 4th Street in Winston. Perhaps we can all go for dinner together after the event?
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Synopsis for September
Good day readers,
As you may recall the group opened with an inquiry as to why the term "religion" is so often used when talking about Buddhism. Discussion ensued about religious aspects of Buddhism (ritual etc) especially in eastern cultures. The article, wherein Batchelor wrote his perspective on the need to create "secular Buddhism" by paying attention to the historical roots of what is typically referred to a uniquely Buddhist approach in the west, seemed to create the basis for this session.
The following is a quick reference to the trajectory of the discussion.
Overall it was another spirited and compassionate sharing of perspectives.
Next Meeting: Will be on October 21, 2012 at G&C's
New Book Selection: Will be Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness by Gunaratana
As you may recall the group opened with an inquiry as to why the term "religion" is so often used when talking about Buddhism. Discussion ensued about religious aspects of Buddhism (ritual etc) especially in eastern cultures. The article, wherein Batchelor wrote his perspective on the need to create "secular Buddhism" by paying attention to the historical roots of what is typically referred to a uniquely Buddhist approach in the west, seemed to create the basis for this session.
The following is a quick reference to the trajectory of the discussion.
- The value of Batchelor exploring what is unique to Buddhism as opposed to what was taken from Hindu society.
- Short instruction regarding the traditional view on samsara came out of a question about why ending the cycle of rebirth would be enlightenment.
- Why too much focus on off-shoots of meditation like Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction becomes a detriment to, or creates a watered-down form of, what might be called Orthodox Buddhism.
- The trap of thinking there is a self, and how it is that which is constantly creating karma.
- A considerable amount of time was devoted to opposing views on the above issues, the human being's "conformational bias" and its affect on everything we think or believe, along with various issues around the value, accuracy, and style of an article on what's at stake as Buddhism goes modern.
Overall it was another spirited and compassionate sharing of perspectives.
Next Meeting: Will be on October 21, 2012 at G&C's
New Book Selection: Will be Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness by Gunaratana
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Synopsis of August Meeting
Some found this section easier than the first one we read. Though it was pointed out that the writer was addressing a group of advanced students in detailed aspects of practice and that without knowing the Tibetan culture and history, this could make understanding a daunting task. But that if ideas are understood as metaphors our understanding may ripen into something useful regardless of cultural bias.
The question was raised that, since this is referring to a process: can one get there by just reading this stuff or does one need to put in the time on the cushion? It was agreed that study + meditation + practice in the world is necessary. In addition it was noted that if we expose ourselves to different ideas, then when we experientially come across it in life, it makes more sense at a gut-level.
It was pointed out that, as it is in the study of all ideas unfamiliar to us, it offers each an opportunity to look at our own unique aversions. The reader is only being asked to read the book, not to necessarily adopt it as their own personal practice. One could skim the text, rather than read every word as though it were an absolute, and therein, see what resonates for them.
To read it with an open mind and let it go can be a "self-study" in itself. You may find that in time it makes sense, and perhaps even help to clarify your personal spiritual position.
Three of us had a mini-discussion on Boredom versus Stillness in relation to the Monkey-Mind experience. One position was that aversion to boredom is what sets the monkey-mind on high speed, while another finds the term boredom too negative. That her experience seems more connected to an aversion to the stillness of her mind in meditation.
This brought a voice from the “peanut-gallery” suggesting that if one is invested in achieving, or getting rid of, anything - then one is attached to that idea. For instance, “wanting” to become enlightened can be the greatest hurdle to overcome in the process of becoming enlightened. Let go of the "wanting" and one is capable of achieving the absolute freedom from want. One way to work with this issue is to go back to the body - the visceral experience in the moment - placing one's attention on physical tensing, discomfort etc. The key is getting the body to relax and therein relax the mind - over and over and over.
One very astute comment (at least in my mind) seemed to be a fitting epilogue, "I'm a detail person so it would seem this book would appeal to me. But I had to find a way to be compassionate towards this book. How can I be neutral? Developing the skill to be non-judgmental."
Next meeting is on September 23rd, at Ginny and Claudine's.
Topic for discussion will be the two magazine articles emailed from Ginny.
We will begin Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana in October.
Discussion of a half-day sit at Ken's on October 14th was finalized and will be further discussed as needed at the next meeting.
The question was raised that, since this is referring to a process: can one get there by just reading this stuff or does one need to put in the time on the cushion? It was agreed that study + meditation + practice in the world is necessary. In addition it was noted that if we expose ourselves to different ideas, then when we experientially come across it in life, it makes more sense at a gut-level.
It was pointed out that, as it is in the study of all ideas unfamiliar to us, it offers each an opportunity to look at our own unique aversions. The reader is only being asked to read the book, not to necessarily adopt it as their own personal practice. One could skim the text, rather than read every word as though it were an absolute, and therein, see what resonates for them.
To read it with an open mind and let it go can be a "self-study" in itself. You may find that in time it makes sense, and perhaps even help to clarify your personal spiritual position.
Three of us had a mini-discussion on Boredom versus Stillness in relation to the Monkey-Mind experience. One position was that aversion to boredom is what sets the monkey-mind on high speed, while another finds the term boredom too negative. That her experience seems more connected to an aversion to the stillness of her mind in meditation.
This brought a voice from the “peanut-gallery” suggesting that if one is invested in achieving, or getting rid of, anything - then one is attached to that idea. For instance, “wanting” to become enlightened can be the greatest hurdle to overcome in the process of becoming enlightened. Let go of the "wanting" and one is capable of achieving the absolute freedom from want. One way to work with this issue is to go back to the body - the visceral experience in the moment - placing one's attention on physical tensing, discomfort etc. The key is getting the body to relax and therein relax the mind - over and over and over.
One very astute comment (at least in my mind) seemed to be a fitting epilogue, "I'm a detail person so it would seem this book would appeal to me. But I had to find a way to be compassionate towards this book. How can I be neutral? Developing the skill to be non-judgmental."
Next meeting is on September 23rd, at Ginny and Claudine's.
Topic for discussion will be the two magazine articles emailed from Ginny.
We will begin Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana in October.
Discussion of a half-day sit at Ken's on October 14th was finalized and will be further discussed as needed at the next meeting.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Synopsis for the July meeting
The meeting began with Claudine giving an update on the final outcome of her work issue from the last meeting and that she felt supported by all. She also handed out a list of salient statements she gleaned from the reading. That list was to be published here but she has not forwarded it at this time. Please direct all requests for the list to Claudine.
There was a consensus that there is a difficulty with terminology wherein terms like "path" and "view" have different meanings than we generally expect. "Mother" - (please note that this is not my mother) - assisted in clarifying where possible. It became clear that the best way to read this text is to remember the history, culture, as well as the author's particular Buddhist sect, as guides to making cogent references to the essence of his message.
The group decided to read pages 64 to 125 for the next meeting and for everyone to have at least one thing in the text that they found worthy of discussion; be it in support or argument, or something that particularly resonated for them.
Next Meeting: August 19th at Ginny and Claudine's
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Synopsis for June Meeting
The meeting began by conducting our opening meditation on the outdoor deck amid a plethora of nature's greenery and the lyrical guidance of feathered troubadour's. Since with the exception of "mother" (who I hope you NOW! all know who I refer to), we were all in attendance so this will be as brief as my memory demands.
The initial discussion focused on Beck's use of the term "manipulation" and we quickly got clarification from all directions. It is interchangeable with the following terms with regard to one's practice: intention, concept driven ideas, anticipation of exchange or reward, and expectations - just to name a few. It can also be understood as incompatible with equanimity when our actions are examined from the standpoint of motive.
We then managed to beat up on Ken by suggesting that he is actually quite humble and giving. In fact we did so to the extent that he was adequately mortified and will, I suspect, still be recuperating at this very hour.
Nadine reminded us that all the best ideas are dead without works to support them and that we need to put them into actual practice in our daily lives.
And it would seem that the group has passed a milestone after our humble beginning in 2009. We crossed the proverbial River Styx, from the land of primarily intellectual discussion to more difficult terrain of personal support and encouragement for one of our own. Congratulations are in order to us all for having persevered through the shadows and into the sunlit land of compassion. Actually it's probably due in great part to Mary Ann's teachings on vulnerability, as she has so willingly shared her poems with us. My thanks to you all.
Next Meeting: We will meet again on July 22 at Ginny and Claudine's.
Assignment: The First Four Chapters of the new book, Carefree Dignity, by Tsoknyi Rinpoche (which may another sign of a seismic shift in the level of commitment within the group.
The initial discussion focused on Beck's use of the term "manipulation" and we quickly got clarification from all directions. It is interchangeable with the following terms with regard to one's practice: intention, concept driven ideas, anticipation of exchange or reward, and expectations - just to name a few. It can also be understood as incompatible with equanimity when our actions are examined from the standpoint of motive.
We then managed to beat up on Ken by suggesting that he is actually quite humble and giving. In fact we did so to the extent that he was adequately mortified and will, I suspect, still be recuperating at this very hour.
Nadine reminded us that all the best ideas are dead without works to support them and that we need to put them into actual practice in our daily lives.
And it would seem that the group has passed a milestone after our humble beginning in 2009. We crossed the proverbial River Styx, from the land of primarily intellectual discussion to more difficult terrain of personal support and encouragement for one of our own. Congratulations are in order to us all for having persevered through the shadows and into the sunlit land of compassion. Actually it's probably due in great part to Mary Ann's teachings on vulnerability, as she has so willingly shared her poems with us. My thanks to you all.
Next Meeting: We will meet again on July 22 at Ginny and Claudine's.
Assignment: The First Four Chapters of the new book, Carefree Dignity, by Tsoknyi Rinpoche (which may another sign of a seismic shift in the level of commitment within the group.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Synopsis for the May meeting
Since all were present, I am going to take this opportunity to spare myself the agony of trying to remember what my woefully inadequate notes have failed to represent - and leave it to your own memories.
What I can do however is attempt to accurately apprise you of the decisions that were made during the "business" portion of our meeting.
1) A decision was made as to what our next book would be and that we would commence our discussion at the July meeting. The book is Carefree Dignity by Tsoknyi Rinpoche. I attempted to get it at Edward McKay's and they didn't have a copy - and Borders doesn't stock it, but was able to order it.......READERS BE ADVISED!
2) Ken will be looking into the possibility of using some property presently owned by Land Conservancy for a full day meditation in the future.
3) Ginny will be looking into the Childrens Home as the possible location for a monthly meditation, and organized with some sort of "up-front" fee being collected to cover expenses.
4) The next meeting will be to discuss the final section in Beck's book.
5) The next two months we will meet at Ginny and Claudine's.
Next Meetings: June 17th and July 22nd.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Synopsis for April Meeting
After the opening meditation Gale took up the resident poet lanyard and came up with a Haiku:
Dog pants.
Clock ticks.
Welcome silence.
Constance shared that she was living the "razors edge" while in Arkansas
MM shared the two wings of enlightenment as wisdom and compassion and while the paths may seem quite different, the goal is the same.
Nadine shared that she believes that if we practice we will tap into the flow of each moment and find that we will need to labor less and less over decisions. The practice will have us skillfully reacting to the moment or situation. She suggested that my negative to neutral auto-reaction to all but dogs has morphed into compassion that encompasses even children, as an example.
Mary Ann said she would be writing a poem on a quote that MM shared at the beginning of the meeting but I was too brain dead at the beginning to have registered it into memory so we will have to wait until next month when Ms. Bookeditor shares her poem.
Next Meeting: May 2oth at Ginny and Claudine's
**Note - at this meeting we will discuss the next book to be discussed so if you have one that you would like to suggest please bring it along.
Reading for May 2oth Meeting: Chapter VIII
Dog pants.
Clock ticks.
Welcome silence.
MM shared the two wings of enlightenment as wisdom and compassion and while the paths may seem quite different, the goal is the same.
Nadine shared that she believes that if we practice we will tap into the flow of each moment and find that we will need to labor less and less over decisions. The practice will have us skillfully reacting to the moment or situation. She suggested that my negative to neutral auto-reaction to all but dogs has morphed into compassion that encompasses even children, as an example.
Mary Ann said she would be writing a poem on a quote that MM shared at the beginning of the meeting but I was too brain dead at the beginning to have registered it into memory so we will have to wait until next month when Ms. Bookeditor shares her poem.
Next Meeting: May 2oth at Ginny and Claudine's
**Note - at this meeting we will discuss the next book to be discussed so if you have one that you would like to suggest please bring it along.
Reading for May 2oth Meeting: Chapter VIII
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Synopsis for March meeting
The meeting began with Nadine talking about her insight that language is a barrier; that we have a brain that is wired to make stories with language in order to catalogue our experiences. Constance continued by saying that our personal story determines in some ways what that experience is and this accounts for much possible misunderstanding between individuals and groups.
Nadine ( pg.141) expressed her confusion about "notice" vs. "awareness" and it was suggested that it is best to think of it as being "aware of noticing."
Mary Ann related a story of stress being relieved by listening to a radio program and some discussion ensued as to that being a form of avoidance in some instances. An alternative was given by Ken in terms of exploring the stress in meditation and it is why it is important to practice with the small things in order to be prepared to use this process when the bigger issues arise. The ideas is to "be with" the discomfort without the tension that is attached to the experience.
Gail asked if enlightened moments or a threshold once crossed produced a permanent state and I think it fair to say that the consensus was that it is a process of coming to realize that we are already enlightened (have Buddha Nature) though this fact is obscured by the operation of egoic thinking and the "small mind." (Then again, I was tired and I may be all wet on this recollection. If so, Ken will set me straight later... I'm sure.)
And finally Mary Ann shared another of her poems that described a moving experience with a hawk while driving down the road. And unfortunately my lack of cyber-prowess has made it impossible to figure out how to send the attachment to you in this blog. If you want copies just email me direct.
Next meeting: at Gail's April 22nd and directions are forthcoming in separate emails to you all.
PS: Apparently I do know how to send it but didn't know that I knew.....Suzuki was right....just "don't know."
The Witness
The Hawk and the Squirrel meet in the natural world one February day.
Nadine ( pg.141) expressed her confusion about "notice" vs. "awareness" and it was suggested that it is best to think of it as being "aware of noticing."
Mary Ann related a story of stress being relieved by listening to a radio program and some discussion ensued as to that being a form of avoidance in some instances. An alternative was given by Ken in terms of exploring the stress in meditation and it is why it is important to practice with the small things in order to be prepared to use this process when the bigger issues arise. The ideas is to "be with" the discomfort without the tension that is attached to the experience.
Gail asked if enlightened moments or a threshold once crossed produced a permanent state and I think it fair to say that the consensus was that it is a process of coming to realize that we are already enlightened (have Buddha Nature) though this fact is obscured by the operation of egoic thinking and the "small mind." (Then again, I was tired and I may be all wet on this recollection. If so, Ken will set me straight later... I'm sure.)
And finally Mary Ann shared another of her poems that described a moving experience with a hawk while driving down the road. And unfortunately my lack of cyber-prowess has made it impossible to figure out how to send the attachment to you in this blog. If you want copies just email me direct.
Next meeting: at Gail's April 22nd and directions are forthcoming in separate emails to you all.
PS: Apparently I do know how to send it but didn't know that I knew.....Suzuki was right....just "don't know."
The Witness
The Hawk and the Squirrel meet in the natural world one February day.
The sun is sinking in the sky and the moon is rising above it when I spot
them.
For a split second the hawk commands the busy thoroughfare on the road
named Reynolda.
It lands quickly on the black asphalt with outstretched wings spread
upward like a gigantic fan.
The next second it lifts off into the sky and flies away with a baby
squirrel clinched in its jaws,
with one of its legs dangling in mid air as the hawk climbs over the tree
tops.
The hawk gives me such beauty before it reveals its predatory nature.
Its feathers of white and brown decorate the roadway like a magnificent piece
of art.
Without that first view which hid the hawk’s mission, the despair that
follows would dominate.
The loss of the squirrel to nurture the hawk is stark reality.
It is beauty and despair in the same moment - the language of life and
death as being one.
The hawk and the squirrel remind me just how much Nature is my master in
so many ways.
Without its presence I would not know about ecstasy,
Intimacy; natural connections,
Interdependence; mystery,
and most importantly, beauty and destruction.
It reminds me always that I know absolutely nothing for certain.
It teaches me courage no matter the incoming lesson or the outcome.
Being the witness today, am I looking through a two-sided mirror?
Nature’s image merges with me – the hawk and the squirrel.
I am the hawk who supplies my needs.
I am the squirrel who nurtures others.
I am the witness to the awakenings,
slumbering no more in the secure hold of the womb.
I am a witness to life and live it at the same time.
©Mary Ann Weatherman- February
2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Synopsis for February 19, 2012
The meeting began - though my memory after being up for 20-plus hours becomes even more suspect than usual - began with a discussion about the two definitions for suffering, i.e. "being under something" and "something pressing down on one." At the time I was a bit too foggy to even comprehend what that means, but in retrospect I think it seems to address different degrees of personalization about ones relationship to that which is occurring. Or stated differently, all profundity aside, it might be referring to the degree to which one feels that things are happening to one personally or are just random acts, or conditions, that intersect ones life. Nadine solved this now poorly stated conundrum by using the term "unsatisfactory" (or any of its linguistic off-spring) as a substitute for suffering.
At some point MM, once again, couldn't resist disagreeing with me after a moment of my somnolent babbling. I reference this simply to record the abuse I consistently have thrust upon me by my bevy of female siblings (in the cosmic sense). At least Ken took pity on my vegetative state.....probably a male commiseration thing.
There was much banter over the "infinite perfection of the Universe" on page 112, and how any "perfection" is one of a personal nature rather than a Universal Truth. Unless perhaps if we understand any perfection as being represented by Contingent Arising and Impermanence.
Nadine shared her Achilles Heal issue regarding the compatibility of acceptance and working for change. Specifically, Beck addresses this issue half-way down page 108. If you have any further inquiry regarding this particular subject please direct your questions to Nadine since she is becoming the resident scholar on this issue.
Next Meeting: March 18th at G&C's
Note: You may have noted the bizarre twinge to this update.....ok, ok, an increase in the usual bizarre nature of the update. I just want everyone to know that from now on I will be coming to the meeting after working all night and possibly being up since the previous morning. So any assistance in reminding me about what was discussed would be appreciated since I tend to phase in and out of consciousness after sleep deprivation and forgetting to write notes; an activity for which I am woefully inadequate on any occasion.
At some point MM, once again, couldn't resist disagreeing with me after a moment of my somnolent babbling. I reference this simply to record the abuse I consistently have thrust upon me by my bevy of female siblings (in the cosmic sense). At least Ken took pity on my vegetative state.....probably a male commiseration thing.
There was much banter over the "infinite perfection of the Universe" on page 112, and how any "perfection" is one of a personal nature rather than a Universal Truth. Unless perhaps if we understand any perfection as being represented by Contingent Arising and Impermanence.
Nadine shared her Achilles Heal issue regarding the compatibility of acceptance and working for change. Specifically, Beck addresses this issue half-way down page 108. If you have any further inquiry regarding this particular subject please direct your questions to Nadine since she is becoming the resident scholar on this issue.
Next Meeting: March 18th at G&C's
Note: You may have noted the bizarre twinge to this update.....ok, ok, an increase in the usual bizarre nature of the update. I just want everyone to know that from now on I will be coming to the meeting after working all night and possibly being up since the previous morning. So any assistance in reminding me about what was discussed would be appreciated since I tend to phase in and out of consciousness after sleep deprivation and forgetting to write notes; an activity for which I am woefully inadequate on any occasion.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Synopsis of January 15, 2012
The meeting began with a question about the meaning of the "true self" as used by Joko in the readings. Various perspectives were suggested which were at first tentative in nature. However, after a few minutes we seemed to have a better concensus of understanding than we imagined at first. It seemed that, in truth, we seemed to all have quite compatible ways of verbalizing this seemingly difficult notion. (And for me this points to one benefit of engaging in this kind of intellectual discussion.) Most of the meeting centered around one or another aspect of "true self."
Pure experience, full of no-thing, is the process of life. Let's not muck it up with our ego's interpretations.
In order to say much more in the way of synopsis I would have to bore each of you with more on my personal rendition, so I will retreat into silence......can you just hear Ken giving thanks for this?
Well, let's not forget the "ing" in be-ing!
As a final comment I will simply reiterate that today we were witness to the value of engaging in open discussion of issues born from our reading, exploring, and sitting with ideas that push the envelop of our well-worn, comfortable, ideas.
Next Meeting: February 19th at Ginny and Claudine's
Next Reading: Section V
Pure experience, full of no-thing, is the process of life. Let's not muck it up with our ego's interpretations.
In order to say much more in the way of synopsis I would have to bore each of you with more on my personal rendition, so I will retreat into silence......can you just hear Ken giving thanks for this?
Well, let's not forget the "ing" in be-ing!
As a final comment I will simply reiterate that today we were witness to the value of engaging in open discussion of issues born from our reading, exploring, and sitting with ideas that push the envelop of our well-worn, comfortable, ideas.
Next Meeting: February 19th at Ginny and Claudine's
Next Reading: Section V
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