Meditation, the Buddhist way
Went to a meditation class today. Have gone there once before with my colleague, and was glad to get to go again. Hoping we go next week too.
It is in Westlake at the Tushita Kadampa Buddhist Center. The one we did is a 4 week session centered around the idea of "Overcoming Stress." It is really good, and really helpful to practice in a group. Only $8. If interested, come join us. Makes me miss yoga works, that place was great. Going to start classes with a friend too. I love that we all want to improve, and be better people together. There is something really beautiful about that.
Wanted to share a little about the class.
We talked about the origins of Buddhism and its lineage. Pretty cool stuff. Our main focus today was meditating on the word "calm" and on cherishing others. We talked about illusions and how we suffer needlessly because of these things that are not true. Reminded me of Tara, and how she explained it is real (feels real) but is not true. Steve, the senior practitioner leading the class, spoke of the difference of the brain and the mind. And how our minds need to be controlled in order to be happy. We are the jockey controlling the race horse. And that race horse is strong. When we can't control our minds we make assumptions and listen to the lies our minds feed us. Real, but not true - they're really happening in our heads, but they are not in our reality. Tara says it is us wanting to be involved in a virtual reality instead of being present to what is really happening to us, pleasant or not. Steve mentioned that when we focus on others we are happy. He said that when we take things personally or become offended by others, it is our self cherishing speaking, the root to most of our problems. Tara calls it the ego. I believe it is all from the same place, call it whatever you want.
He gave examples today about dealing with Black Friday. "When you get elbowed when shopping, respond with: Enjoy that TV." It was pretty funny, but of course he meant it sincerely. Or "when you're driving and you get cut off, say: I hope you get home safe." Not condescending at all. Just basically taking situations and turning them around into something selfless by offering sincere blessings. We can all do this. Why make it personal? It feels good to give and to love. Despite conflicts in the home or wherever in ones life, when we do not let negativity (or really in my opinion, misunderstandings -who is to say someone is out to get you? It is not all about you) in and we react without expecting anything out of a pure and generous place - we feel happy. We don't feel used or wronged, if it is sincere and true, we feel happy.
During the meditations today we started by placing our feet evenly on the ground, and putting both of our palms on top of each other on our lap. The right hand, love and compassion, rests on top of our left hand (both palms facing up), which represents wisdom. Our two thumbs touch, representing a union of both principles. I think Steve said, that one cannot have love and compassion without wisdom, and vice versa.
Keeping our spine aligned and open, we lowered our gaze to the floor with eyes almost fully closed and began meditating focusing on 6 breaths. Then on the inhale and exhale with thoughts of the word "calm." If we strayed from our focus, we would come back. We did two 15 minute meditations.
I like doing things like this in groups. There is a uniting kind of result from this that makes me feel closer to humanity and our condition. I find comfort knowing we are not alone. We all have the same problem, and I like being around those whom are trying to recondition it.
I appreciate this class, I appreciate my colleague for sharing it with me, and I appreciate the community of people out there that know it is possible to come back and have perspective, and be selfless and loving to all living beings.
I love taking care of my cat, and my snake, and my flowers, I love refilling my bird feeder, I love making coffee for my roommate or cooking for someone special, I love helping people, I love giving thoughtful gifts, I love working for my non-profit, I love donating my time for a good cause.. those are few of many things I love doing that are not about me. Other than, they make me happy. Most of this, is for the greater good. Small scale, to a larger scale - it is still the act of loving living things.
My colleague lent me her "Meditation Handbook" by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. I saw Steve use this as a reference tonight. Very much looking forward to more insight and understanding.
A friend called me a hippie the other day by the way, haha. He said it's not a bad thing, I sure don't think it is. I do think it was funny, never been called that before. I've been talking up about love, and empathy.. and yeah.
Lots to learn and understand.
Grateful to be receptive and open for change and transformation.
It is in Westlake at the Tushita Kadampa Buddhist Center. The one we did is a 4 week session centered around the idea of "Overcoming Stress." It is really good, and really helpful to practice in a group. Only $8. If interested, come join us. Makes me miss yoga works, that place was great. Going to start classes with a friend too. I love that we all want to improve, and be better people together. There is something really beautiful about that.
Wanted to share a little about the class.
We talked about the origins of Buddhism and its lineage. Pretty cool stuff. Our main focus today was meditating on the word "calm" and on cherishing others. We talked about illusions and how we suffer needlessly because of these things that are not true. Reminded me of Tara, and how she explained it is real (feels real) but is not true. Steve, the senior practitioner leading the class, spoke of the difference of the brain and the mind. And how our minds need to be controlled in order to be happy. We are the jockey controlling the race horse. And that race horse is strong. When we can't control our minds we make assumptions and listen to the lies our minds feed us. Real, but not true - they're really happening in our heads, but they are not in our reality. Tara says it is us wanting to be involved in a virtual reality instead of being present to what is really happening to us, pleasant or not. Steve mentioned that when we focus on others we are happy. He said that when we take things personally or become offended by others, it is our self cherishing speaking, the root to most of our problems. Tara calls it the ego. I believe it is all from the same place, call it whatever you want.
He gave examples today about dealing with Black Friday. "When you get elbowed when shopping, respond with: Enjoy that TV." It was pretty funny, but of course he meant it sincerely. Or "when you're driving and you get cut off, say: I hope you get home safe." Not condescending at all. Just basically taking situations and turning them around into something selfless by offering sincere blessings. We can all do this. Why make it personal? It feels good to give and to love. Despite conflicts in the home or wherever in ones life, when we do not let negativity (or really in my opinion, misunderstandings -who is to say someone is out to get you? It is not all about you) in and we react without expecting anything out of a pure and generous place - we feel happy. We don't feel used or wronged, if it is sincere and true, we feel happy.
During the meditations today we started by placing our feet evenly on the ground, and putting both of our palms on top of each other on our lap. The right hand, love and compassion, rests on top of our left hand (both palms facing up), which represents wisdom. Our two thumbs touch, representing a union of both principles. I think Steve said, that one cannot have love and compassion without wisdom, and vice versa.
Keeping our spine aligned and open, we lowered our gaze to the floor with eyes almost fully closed and began meditating focusing on 6 breaths. Then on the inhale and exhale with thoughts of the word "calm." If we strayed from our focus, we would come back. We did two 15 minute meditations.
I like doing things like this in groups. There is a uniting kind of result from this that makes me feel closer to humanity and our condition. I find comfort knowing we are not alone. We all have the same problem, and I like being around those whom are trying to recondition it.
I appreciate this class, I appreciate my colleague for sharing it with me, and I appreciate the community of people out there that know it is possible to come back and have perspective, and be selfless and loving to all living beings.
I love taking care of my cat, and my snake, and my flowers, I love refilling my bird feeder, I love making coffee for my roommate or cooking for someone special, I love helping people, I love giving thoughtful gifts, I love working for my non-profit, I love donating my time for a good cause.. those are few of many things I love doing that are not about me. Other than, they make me happy. Most of this, is for the greater good. Small scale, to a larger scale - it is still the act of loving living things.
My colleague lent me her "Meditation Handbook" by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. I saw Steve use this as a reference tonight. Very much looking forward to more insight and understanding.
A friend called me a hippie the other day by the way, haha. He said it's not a bad thing, I sure don't think it is. I do think it was funny, never been called that before. I've been talking up about love, and empathy.. and yeah.
Lots to learn and understand.
Grateful to be receptive and open for change and transformation.
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