So opening wide the window… and immersing ourselves in the deep and encouraging wisdom of this Introduction and the texts, which will follow as completed…is a method for breathing increasingly pure air… as we follow this ‘progressive path for freeing ourselves from the sorrow-inducing delusions of being a separate entity burdened with inherent existence’. The dharma’s many methods invite us in different ways towards this radical re-orientation… away from duality’s push-pull of aversion and desire… towards the wisdom of the truth of all of us which holds no tension, and a connectivity which is intrinsically and inclusively compassionate… Quite the contrary as having a different and wider perspective – not caught in bias and reactivity – it allows for seeing and fully appreciating the poignancy of situations without becoming overwhelmed and submerged. This ‘equanimity’ does not at all mean to become oblivious to the many impactful and ongoing conflicts and problems in the world. The equanimity required for this arises from wisdom and is an achievable fruit of dharma practice. It is by the absence of hatred that hatred is pacified.’ Around 500 years B.C he explained this as ‘the ancient truth’…so for thousand of years access to this truth has been available but now, as then, not so many listen to the truth and take it to heart.įor those who do the pacification of hatred is possible. ‘In this world hatred is never pacified by hatred. In the Dhammapada, hatred is addressed by the wise words of the good Buddha, doctor to our troubles, thus: Old habits die hard, but freedom is worth the effort…for ourselves and others. This different tune, of freshness, can be also be heard…Īnd then maybe we listen 50% to dharma and 50% to samsara – this is progress…and we can check… Which feels like it does us more good ? Which seems to help us be with life as it presents? Making a shift to listening, even with just one ear to the dharma and the other to samsara, cracks open a window so that… The decompression of spaciousness, openness awareness, emptiness, is sorely needed.Īlthough different distractions are available and many activities can bring a sense of healthy connectivity and ease provided we can relax enough to become available to open and participate… So often, despite inhabiting relatively fortunate external circumstances, lives which have so much potential can vanish miserably – tuned into samsara hour after hour. The tension in this distressed isolation can build to levels where it is manifestly harmful, whether turned inwards or outwardly and radiates dis-ease. The sun has gone in, the senses ignored in favour of thoughts…there seems no way out… In this way life’s energy follows and flows with attention, binding into a blinding and exhausting vortex of limited and limiting thoughts and feelings…Īnd with that level of preoccupation the capacity to receive and respond to those with whom we interact in attuned way is blocked……we are already ‘filled to bursting’… our sense of connectivity with our actual lived situation is minimal. In the attraction to, and absorption into, a particular dramatic presentation both eyes are mesmerised, both ears are filled with the commentary and opinions of others… and, in the time away from that, ‘thinking about’ all this stuff takes over… as if such activity were helpful or would lead to some veridical conclusion. The dharma teachings are not known so in shouting at the telly, not sleeping well, and filling up with judgment, hatred and fear…their on-going upset also impacts those with whom they live and interact. May that great benefit be realised by many in this New Year!įascination with what’s depicted in the news and on social media is absorbing the life energy and vitality of many people I know. James writes in the Introduction ‘At this time of great change and increasing anxiety the calming clarity of Dharma could be of great benefit to many…’ You’ll find it, with other recordings, under the Audio and Video tab at the top of the page… or go directly to the recordings page : )
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