Date/Time
Date(s) - 06/04/2022
6:45 pm - 8:00 pm
Categories
Please join us online by Zoom, Wednesday evenings, 6:45-8:00pm. We value Sangha (spiritual community) and the opportunity to be together. We will use this time for lightly guided meditation, a short check in to see how we can support one another, and exploration of a Buddhist topic. The facilitator will offer brief remarks and guide discussion as a way to focus our practice on that week’s theme. Themes may run several weeks, but each week can serve as a stand-alone session. We look forward to seeing you and sharing our love and kindness for the wellness of all beings.
All are welcome!
The Five Spiritual Faculties
Mindfulness
This week we will investigate the last of the Five Spiritual Faculties that help support a positive frame work for life. Mindfulness is the balancing agent of faith and wisdom, and energy and concentration.
“Unlike the other spiritual faculties, mindfulness or awareness, does not need to be balanced by something else. If faith is not balanced by wisdom, it becomes blind and fanatical. If wisdom is not balanced by faith it becomes cold and dry as dust. If energy is not balanced by meditation it degrades into mere restlessness. And if mediation is not balanced by ‘vigor’ it degrades into sloth and apathy. But in the case of mindfulness and awareness there is no such danger. By it’s very nature, it is incapable of degenerating when left to itself. It does not need to be balanced.”
In previous study sessions we looked at the four traditional areas of focus for the practice of mindfulness both on and off the cushion. Firstly we connect and become aware, mindful of, the body, then the feeling tone of the present moment experience; either pleasant, not pleasant or a neutral tone. Then mindful of our thoughts, and lastly connecting, reminding ourselves of our highest ideals
For us to deepen the practice of the Five Spiritual Faculties, or any practice, we need supportive conditions that begin with a recognition of our innate ability to grow and develop. Mindfully balancing this positive knowledge of ourselves with enough leisure time, health and available resources to practice with, as well as friendships that offer honest, open and kind connections, a path to a happier less stressed life will be at hand.
Wednesday Night Zoom Link
For more info, contact Narottama at bnarottama@gmail.com
Nagaloka’s Friends Night overview Nagaloka handout friends night July 2020
Check out this great resource: https://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/
Please contact us if you have any questions. Email info@nagalokabuddistcenter.org
Please feel free to join us.
