If you’re just joining us for this month’s theme, please read the first post:
→ Introduction
I have a lot of ideas about what sort of person I am. I think I’m a smart person, a well-intentioned person, and a kind person. I also believe I’m an impatient person, sometimes a sharp-tongued person, and a fearful person. You probably have similar beliefs about who you are too. But the truth is, none of these ideas are exactly true—though they’re not exactly false, either. They’re just ideas we’ve constructed. In Buddhism, these are called views.
Views include judgements, assumptions, and concepts we use to describe ourselves and the world. Views aren’t good or bad, but if we’re ignorant that we hold them — if we think “Oh this must be true because I think it’s true” — then we’re not seeing clearly. And if we believe our view is “right”, we tend to cling to it or reject it or push other views away, instead of just being.
Just being requires that we hold our views about ourselves lightly, with humor and compassion. Rather than defining yourself as this or that kind of person, you can simply experience who you are, in this moment, without trying to become anything at all.
In today’s meditation, we’ll practice noticing our views and gently releasing them, so we can rest in our own beautiful presence. We’ll take inspiration from these instructions:
As your true view, look into the changeless, open knowing.
As your true meditation, let your mind nature be as it is.
As your true conduct, let the delusion of dualistic fixation collapse.
As your true fruition, don’t seek the result that is spontaneously present.— Longchenpa
Plan to practice daily, do the contemplative prompt below, and share your comments and questions with us in our Chat!
This week, I’d like you just to notice when you describe yourself — when you say to yourself or others, “I’m like this or I’m a X type of person”. What beliefs do you hold about you? How can you let them go? Let us know in our Chat!
Important! Don’t confuse your thoughts, ideas, and plans with “you”.
There might be times when you feel flooded or overwhelmed with fear during meditation. If that happens, back off. Open your eyes, count nine full breaths, or give yourself a hug. Consider doing short practices for a few minutes instead of one long practice.
Gently make a commitment to practice daily as a way to care for yourself with kindness.
Friends, just thinking about the cruelty in the world right now can be sad and terrifying. I want you and me and everyone we know to keep our hearts open to all this suffering, with deep compassion and wisdom for ourselves and all living beings, without closing down or getting overwhelmed. Take time to rest, remember your blessings, and share your resources as you can. Remember what Arthur Ashe (is supposed to have) said: “Start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can.”
May we be courageous and steady with the way things are right now. May our love and wisdom nourish us and all beings. May it be so!
Metta+++,
Kim✨
Share this post