Dharma-Inspired book group this Friday, March 5

[Anne Foster]

 

A Dharma Friends Event of the Insight Meditation Center of the Midpeninsula

Dharma-Inspired Book Group

Dancing with Life

by Phil Moffitt

 

WHEN/WHERE: Friday, March 5, 5:30-7:00 p.m.,

Insight Meditation Center, 108 Birch St, Redwood City

 

HOMEWORK:

March 5 we will discuss pages 163-206 in Dancing with Life: Buddhist Insights for Finding Meaning and Joy in the Face of Suffering by Phil Moffitt.  Over the next month, you are invited spend one week each focusing on the four "weekly teachings" listed below selected from the book’s web site. 

 

UPCOMING MEETINGS: Fridays, 5:30 to 7 p.m

Tentative dates of next quarter's meetings: April 9, May 7, June 4.

 

The Dharma-Inspired book group is self led and usually meets the first or second Friday of the month.  For our current book, Anne Foster is acting as facilitator and contact person: afo...@rawbw.com, 650-591-1285.  The intention of Dharma Friends events is to further the development of spiritually based friendships and a sense of community within our sangha.

 

Teachings from Phillip Moffitt for March

Teaching #55: Cultivating Cessation in Daily Life

 

Ajahn Chah used to say, “We focus on the here and now dharma.” He did not separate daily life from extraordinary experience. His instruction was to simply inquire: How can you bring about cessation of clinging at this moment?

Chapter 15, Pg 171

For your reflection: To practice cessation moment-to-moment in daily life, when your mind is not engaged in a specific task, train it to automatically rest in awareness of breath and body sensations. You will begin to notice that every breath and sensation ceases and gradually the realization emerges: It is really true—everything that arises disappears!

 

Teaching #58: You Don’t Have to Be Defined by Burning

 

Although all things in this world are burning, the Buddha taught that you have a choice to not add fuel to the fire, to not make the burning
 

Chapter15, Pg 183-184
 

For your reflection: This week observe how often you add the “fuel” of wanting, aversion, and ignorance to your life experiences. Be particularly interested in how even in neutral and pleasant circumstances, you still add this fuel. This is knowing the truth of burning for yourself.

 

Teaching #60: Finding Liberation is Not Abandoning the World

 

[After realizing cessation]…life continues to be an ever-changing stream of moments, but how you perceive and relate to the stream changes. The difference is that you are able to live wisely and be in harmony with life in this realm, however it manifests. You do what needs to be done without taking it personally or being attached to results of actions.
 

Chapter 16, Pg 192
 

For your reflection: Deliberately cultivate the attitude of simply doing what needs to be done without attachment. Initially exempt those situations in your life that are most charged. Notice the feeling of equanimity that arises when you care, and yet you are not attached to the outcome. Then notice how it feels when you lose this equanimity.

 

Teaching #62: Three Stages of Realization:

 

Transformation, Transcendence, and Transparency

 

Your inner development progresses according to three major stages of awareness … In moving from ordinary awareness to the first stage, you transform your ego structure; in attaining the second stage, you transcend your ego identity; and in the full realization of the final stage, you become transparent to ordinary reality … With each successive stage of awareness, your mind is controlled less and less by pleasant or unpleasant conditions.
 

Chapter 17, Pg 199
 

For your reflection: It can make a significant difference in your practice if you can embrace the possibility of your mind being organized in a non-ordinary way. Notice your mental reactions to this idea. Are you open to it, or is your mind filled with skepticism? It is fine to have don’t know mind, but skepticism limits your possibilities. Also, do you think, “Others can achieve this change, but not me.”