There will be no gathering on December 20th or December 27th. Our next meeting will be on January 3rd, 7:00pm, when we will have three periods of sitting and walking meditation, lead by Roberta.
Happy Holidays!
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Gathering: December 13, 2006
Tonight we continued Thay's series of talks called the Ultimate Dimension.
"The Gift of Space is True Love"
Thay reminded us that the deluded mind is characterized by anger, violence, prejudice and lack of understanding. Imagine a world where many people with deluded mind come together. It would be chaos, because we would not be able to understand each other. There would be much violence, discrimination and affliction in such a world. This closely describes the world in which we live today.
Thay then asked us to imagine a world full of people with clear, awakened mind. We would have joy, love, understanding and beauty. This is the world of the Avatamsaka. We can choose to step into this world, and experience light, peace and understanding. Through the practice of mindfulness, we can spread the light of the Avatamsaka realm to all those around us, and help bring people back from forgetfulness.
The Avatamsaka realm is characterized by light, but also by unlimited space. Space outside and inside is necessary for happiness. There is not much space in our samsaric world. We fill our space with projects, worries and ambitions. Many people believe these things are necessary to fulfill our goals and bring us happiness, but in reality these things could be obstacles to our happiness.
Thay also reminded us not to love someone in a way that deprives them of their own space and freedom. Do not be possessive. The gift of more space is true love.
"The Gift of Space is True Love"
Thay reminded us that the deluded mind is characterized by anger, violence, prejudice and lack of understanding. Imagine a world where many people with deluded mind come together. It would be chaos, because we would not be able to understand each other. There would be much violence, discrimination and affliction in such a world. This closely describes the world in which we live today.
Thay then asked us to imagine a world full of people with clear, awakened mind. We would have joy, love, understanding and beauty. This is the world of the Avatamsaka. We can choose to step into this world, and experience light, peace and understanding. Through the practice of mindfulness, we can spread the light of the Avatamsaka realm to all those around us, and help bring people back from forgetfulness.
The Avatamsaka realm is characterized by light, but also by unlimited space. Space outside and inside is necessary for happiness. There is not much space in our samsaric world. We fill our space with projects, worries and ambitions. Many people believe these things are necessary to fulfill our goals and bring us happiness, but in reality these things could be obstacles to our happiness.
Thay also reminded us not to love someone in a way that deprives them of their own space and freedom. Do not be possessive. The gift of more space is true love.
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