Fourth of the 14 Mindfulness Trainings

I have been absent from the past couple of sangha gatherings, but the schedule has continued as usual.

This past Wednesday, April 11, we sat and walked for the first hour, then continued our discussion of the 14 mindfulness trainings. This week we look at:

Awareness of Suffering

Aware that looking deeply at the nature of suffering can help us develop compassion and find ways out of suffering, we are determined not to avoid or close our eyes before suffering. We are committed to finding ways, including personal contact, images, and sounds, to be with those who suffer, so we can understand their situation deeply and help them transform their suffering into compassion, peace, and joy.

This week we will attempt to experience the suffering around us, and not look away when faced with the suffering of others. Also, we are reminded that when faced with difficult emotions or situations, to use the power of mindfulness to calm us and bring us back to the present moment.