Date/Time
Date(s) - 08/03/2023
6:45 pm - 8:30 pm
Categories
Please join us online by Zoom, Wednesday evenings, 6:45-8:30pm. 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.
Becoming a Bodhisattva
A Series on the Six Paramitas
Paramita Samadhi
Perfection of Concentration
This Wednesday at Nagaloka, we will look at Paramita Samadhi or the Perfection of Concentration.
How would a Bodhisattva engage with Perfect Concentration. Perhaps the opening lines of the Heart Sutra will lend a clue:
“The Bodhisattva of compassion when he meditated deeply
saw the emptiness* of all five skandhas
and sundered the bonds that caused him suffering.”
The Heart Sutra, from the Perfection of Wisdom teachings, tells us that the Bodhisattva Avalokateshvara, when in deep meditation (dhyanas), saw with insight the emptiness of all five skandhas, and cut the bonds (blockages) that caused him suffering.
How do we progress so as to loosen and eventually cut the bonds of our suffering and stress?
Insight arises with preparation. As we refine our ethical practices, and attempt a regular meditation, we will run up against our hindrances, some of which can be hard to see and undermine. These hinder our ability to focus and concentrate, keeping us fragmented, blocking us from deeper levels of awareness, inner contentment and stillness. At first, practice can be rough and painful, seeing our short comings and attempting to sort them out. With time our coarser habits can be transformed.
We will take an in depth peek at what holds us back from progressing by reviewing meditation preparation, deeply connecting with the body and with the five hindrances, and their corresponding antidotes as well as exploring the first four dhyanas, levels of concentration.
Please join us as we explore the Perfection of Concentration.
All are welcome!
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.
