JerryAndJeff

There is a word, Dukkha in Pali, Duhkha in Sanskrit, that is considered the starting place of the path in Buddhism. It is the condition we find ourselves in, a state of Dissatisfaction. It is so deep we often do not see it. Dissatisfaction with ourselves, others, the world, the way things are going, the future, the weather this day, how others treat us, give us our do, pay attention to us, and so on. The suffering of change and craving. Unease!

Every moment of mindfulness is also a moment of equanimity. It is not a disengagement from the object of awareness but rather a full and complete engagement with it.

Our Theme is Dis-satisfaction. Seeing it within ourselves, its depth. What changes when we recognize it.

There is a need to be very active, intentional and very receptive and open. Both are essential. What reconciles these, what enables these to be genuine?

Seeing our nothingness. Having remorse, understanding that our aim is humility. Not knowing.

Not knowing can bring about openness. Engaging without an expected outcome, being willing to be wrong. Ultimately to open to Conscience within.

Our ego gets in the way of everything. For some folks, this manifests as avoidance, hiding, feeling inadequate.

And of course it’s opposite. I want everyone to know about my high experience, or I have always something to teach everyone, or to show my great understanding of the work, etc.

Self-importance, egoism, pride, can manifest in wildly different ways. Can we manifest from a place that is real, less separate, less hiding or showing me. This is where the reconciling force comes in, has to come in.

If you  feel not up to snuff at times, down, there is the blessing of being nothing. Transform that by letting go of the negative side of it and seeing the favor of it. Self-pity, feeling sorry for oneself, depressed at oneself and all of that, keeps us from connecting to a deeper reality that is a gift. For all of us, be nothing and be ok. As stated, our most difficult emotions can sometimes be our most profound teachers.

We can come to a non-interfering attentiveness.

Coming to meetings on a regular basis enables.