Last week we looked at the whole Sutra on the full awareness of breathing.
As can be read in the book:
Adem is bewustzijn ISBN 90 5670 035 9 or in English:
This week we concentrate on a part of it: Having faith in the dharma, having faith in yourself. (Vertrouwen in de Dharma, vertrouwen in jezelf.)
The Buddha invites us in the Sutra to come home to our body in the present moment by conscious breathing. And to take care of our body, our thoughts, our emotions and our mind. Firstly by having compassion, loving kindness and cultivating joy and happiness. And next by observing with open eyes, open ears and open heart; without judgement. In the last part of the Sutra we are invited to study the way we look at the world and see impermanence and Interbeing.
One of the difficult things about this invitation for me has allways been the moment that I encountered difficulties, like strong emotions. My first reaction was mostly: Stop don't go there, or just to quit and go away.
Clearly the strong emotion stayed and came back the next time.
The antidote I found is in two practices that Thich Nhat Hanh has thought us:
"The Island of Self" and "the 5 powers". (Faith, Dilligence, Mindfulness, Concentration, Insight) (Vertrouwen, Toewijding, Mindfulness, Concentratie, Inzicht)
Both practices come down to having faith in yourself and in the dharma.
When you encounter a strong emotion, have faith that the emotion is impermanent. Have faith that you are not your emotion, have faith that you have the wisdom to handle the situation, have faith that you are not alone.
Monday we will meditate on experiencing faith (het voelen van vertrouwen)
Doors will be open 19h15 to set up the room at Mimosaplein 2.
From 19h30 we have tea together.
Meditation starts at 20h (guided sitting, Silent walking & sitting)
Enjoy your weekend,
Hans
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