A pervasive but often invisible source of suffering in our culture is self-aversion. We are a busy culture, and we move through our life feeling anxious and dissatisfied, but not fully conscious of how we neglect or judge our inner experience. We suffer from a lack of belonging: to our own bodies, to each other and to the earth. When we practice Buddhist meditation, we learn how to listen deeply and hold our life tenderly.
The open space of compassion allows us to realize that our thoughts and emotions are not who we are; they are waves in our ocean. This gives us the freedom to live more wisely and love more fully.
For over thirty-five years, I've been exploring the awakening of awareness with yoga, meditation, a clinical psychology practice and relationships in spiritual community (sangha). Since the untying of emotional knots is an essential part of "waking up," it is natural for me to weave these elements into my Buddhist practice and teaching. With formal practice, and a genuine engagement in sangha, we can cultivate the qualities of heart and awareness that allow for deep emotional healing and spiritual freedom.
Buddhism guides us in slowing down, quieting and paying attention in an honest and caring way. Through our mindfulness and compassion practices, we establish a sense of intimacy and belonging to our life. We discover that there is no Buddha "out there." Rather, we realize that our true refuge is the wakefulness, openness and love of our own natural awareness.
Much of our suffering is due to a pervasive and often buried sense of core deficiency. This talk investigates the source of self-aversion, how it hides and the enormous healing and freedom that is possible when this life-binding experience of shame is brought into compassionate awareness.
From the Buddhist perspective, craving is the cause of suffering. To the extent that we feel discomfort or suffering, we are identified with wanting life to be different is some way. This talk guides us in honesty facing our own areas of attachment, and explores the Buddhist teachings on freedom from addiction.
What mind experiences as truth, the heart experiences as love. In all spiritual traditions, the experience and cultivation of a devoted heart is integral in being wholly human and awakening to the holy.
The Buddha offered a comprehensive guide to spiritual living. By reflecting on the interrelated facets of the path, we bring our practice alive in all domains.
