Dear Sangha, Wasnt it sweet to be back in the circle of sangha? Returning after a break always renews my appreciation for our groups caring presence. Thank you for your personal sharing and attentive listening during the small group discussions. The witnessing we offer each other is invaluable! This week, well read Thanissaras account of her search for a spiritual path in the 1970s. She describes many influences during her early years of practice but theres a recurring theme in this chapter of trusting and listening to ones inner voice. She begins her story by recounting the Buddhas deathbed advice to Be a lamp onto yourself, and throughout the chapter, reminds us of the need to be discerning and flexible. We will most likely have different needs at different stages of practice. There is no one-size-fits-all practice and remembering this will help us to be less fixed in our views about the choices we (and others) make. At the same time, Thanissara acknowledges appreciation for the general framework for practice that the Buddha offered. I appreciated her advice not to take a consumers attitude toward meditation. Theres a paradox here in that we need to listen to our inner wisdom and at the same time acknowledge that the awakening process is mysterious, not something we can completely control.
Posted on: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 00:34:56 +0000
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