One of the curious things about the period of depression and anger I've recently come out the other side of, is that the Buddhist Dharma (teachings) would have been a huge help through that process. While I still considered myself as a Buddhist through all of that dark period, in reality my practice and my reading of Buddhist teachings dropped away to almost nothing. I'm not sure why, maybe because not dealing felt like a failure and rigorous self analysis felt too painful. Totally not what the Dharma teaches, in fact gentleness and kindness towards yourself (as well as others) is a cornerstone of the teachings. But it is what it is, and now I feel it's time to move again.
So, I spent some downtime this afternoon revisiting the website for my old Dharma centre to get back in touch with what courses and meditation classes are coming up. I think I'll dip my toes back into the waters by volunteering at a Vipassana meditation retreat weekend with a teacher with whom I did an 8 day silent Vipassana meditation retreat way back in 2005. There are also some drop-in meditation sessions I might attend.
So thoughts of kindness were on my mind this afternoon when I hopped on the bus to head home, only to be greeted with the loveliest, friendliest "Good afternoon." from the young bus driver. In fact, he said a warm and friendly "Good afternoon." to everyone that got on the bus. Every single person. Sydney bus drivers are not well known for their friendliness, so everyone was just as surprised as I was.
But the results were dramatic. It at least put a smile on everyone's face, and many people visibly lit up. One old chap made his way to the front of the bus as he was getting off, and thanked the driver for his friendliness and his "beautiful manners". Such small gestures of warmth and kindness, with such big results. Everyone's day got a little brighter and that was an important lesson to remember.
Showing posts with label buddhism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label buddhism. Show all posts
Thursday, July 07, 2011
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Nodding Off
I started a new 'intermediate' two year Buddhist studies course last night, an in depth study of the Lam Rim teachings of Atisha and Lama Tsongkhapa.
We had just got settled and said the preliminary prayers prior to the teachings, when one of the office staff showed in a late comer. There were a couple of cushions available, including one right at the front, just in front of the teacher. (Often if there are spare cushions it's usually up the front, as people seem to be a bit shy of sitting right up close in front of the teacher.) This newcomer took the cushion at the front, and actually scooted forward so that he was sitting just a few feet in front and eye to eye with the teacher. Really close.
One of the other students gave him his handouts, which he didn't really even look at before placing them on the floor. There is a small etiquette point in our tradition, we don't place teachings or images of the Buddha on the floor or anywhere where they might be stepped over, it's considered disrespectful. New students often do this because they aren't aware of the etiquette, so it's not treated as a big deal, but more experienced students are usually aware of it and avoid doing it.
About 10 minutes later, as the teacher was getting into the body of the teaching, I noticed that he was struggling to stay awake. This is nothing unusual; a warm room, a busy and tiring day, the soothing voice of the teacher, you often see people have moments of drowsiness. Then things started to get a little surreal. With his head in his hands, he was eventually leaning forward and folded almost double. Then he fell even further forward until his head was resting on the small table in front of the teacher. To his credit, the teacher gave him a small smile and carried on without breaking stride. Fast forward 15 minutes and this guy is sitting up, having rallied somewhat, but then tilts over sideways alarmingly. One lurch and he's lying down. Then he starts to snore.
By this point the realisation made it around the room. Not just sleepy, drunk.
It was really interesting watching my own reactions to the scenario. Most of the time he was kind of sitting quietly, so I was able to tune him out and concentrate on the teachings. At other times I was in turn horrified, concerned, annoyed and even a bit amused. A lot of the time I was concerned, as it was such odd behaviour, then I was bemused to think that anyone would attend teachings drunk. I exchanged a few nervous looks with a couple of the other students, wondering whether we should leave him to sleep or wake him up.
The class ended shortly afterward, and as we packed up the teacher stayed behind to have a chat with him and see if he was ok. When I left they were still talking, and it sounded like it had turned into an informal counselling session.
It made for a slightly surreal first class...
We had just got settled and said the preliminary prayers prior to the teachings, when one of the office staff showed in a late comer. There were a couple of cushions available, including one right at the front, just in front of the teacher. (Often if there are spare cushions it's usually up the front, as people seem to be a bit shy of sitting right up close in front of the teacher.) This newcomer took the cushion at the front, and actually scooted forward so that he was sitting just a few feet in front and eye to eye with the teacher. Really close.
One of the other students gave him his handouts, which he didn't really even look at before placing them on the floor. There is a small etiquette point in our tradition, we don't place teachings or images of the Buddha on the floor or anywhere where they might be stepped over, it's considered disrespectful. New students often do this because they aren't aware of the etiquette, so it's not treated as a big deal, but more experienced students are usually aware of it and avoid doing it.
About 10 minutes later, as the teacher was getting into the body of the teaching, I noticed that he was struggling to stay awake. This is nothing unusual; a warm room, a busy and tiring day, the soothing voice of the teacher, you often see people have moments of drowsiness. Then things started to get a little surreal. With his head in his hands, he was eventually leaning forward and folded almost double. Then he fell even further forward until his head was resting on the small table in front of the teacher. To his credit, the teacher gave him a small smile and carried on without breaking stride. Fast forward 15 minutes and this guy is sitting up, having rallied somewhat, but then tilts over sideways alarmingly. One lurch and he's lying down. Then he starts to snore.
By this point the realisation made it around the room. Not just sleepy, drunk.
It was really interesting watching my own reactions to the scenario. Most of the time he was kind of sitting quietly, so I was able to tune him out and concentrate on the teachings. At other times I was in turn horrified, concerned, annoyed and even a bit amused. A lot of the time I was concerned, as it was such odd behaviour, then I was bemused to think that anyone would attend teachings drunk. I exchanged a few nervous looks with a couple of the other students, wondering whether we should leave him to sleep or wake him up.
The class ended shortly afterward, and as we packed up the teacher stayed behind to have a chat with him and see if he was ok. When I left they were still talking, and it sounded like it had turned into an informal counselling session.
It made for a slightly surreal first class...
Monday, January 22, 2007
Therapeutic
Excuse me if I don't get up honey, I'm pooped.
So, what a weekend! Exhilirating, energizing and very, very physically tiring. I know that sounds a bit contradictory.
After working a full 38 hour week in the office I spent most nights at the Buddhist centre last week getting ready for running the bookshop at an event we organised this weekend. The event was a public talk on the Friday night, and then 2 full days of teachings on Saturday and Sunday with the amazing teacher Ven. Robina Courtin. The topic was "Becoming Your Own Therapist", Buddhist concepts of transforming the mind, dealing with problems and growing love and compassion.
Running the bookshop was the physically tiring part. Everything else about the weekend was very energizing. The teachings were fantastic, the customers at the bookshop friendly and appreciative of what we had on offer, I got to meet Craig of Expatriate Bohemian, I spent some personal time with chatting with Ven Robina both in the bookshop and over lunch, and I met some very nice people. The most amazing thing though was the quality of the teachings. I have heard Ven Robina teach on the topic three times now, and each time it's like a breath of fresh air.
After pack up I was happy to get home and collapse on the couch, have something to eat, watch "So You Think You Can Dance" and then go to bed. Very tired but having had a good weekend.
Of course Monday morning has rolled around way too fast for my liking though...
[Here's some more info about Ven. Robina and the Liberation Prison Project which she began, and is director of.]
So, what a weekend! Exhilirating, energizing and very, very physically tiring. I know that sounds a bit contradictory.
After working a full 38 hour week in the office I spent most nights at the Buddhist centre last week getting ready for running the bookshop at an event we organised this weekend. The event was a public talk on the Friday night, and then 2 full days of teachings on Saturday and Sunday with the amazing teacher Ven. Robina Courtin. The topic was "Becoming Your Own Therapist", Buddhist concepts of transforming the mind, dealing with problems and growing love and compassion.
Running the bookshop was the physically tiring part. Everything else about the weekend was very energizing. The teachings were fantastic, the customers at the bookshop friendly and appreciative of what we had on offer, I got to meet Craig of Expatriate Bohemian, I spent some personal time with chatting with Ven Robina both in the bookshop and over lunch, and I met some very nice people. The most amazing thing though was the quality of the teachings. I have heard Ven Robina teach on the topic three times now, and each time it's like a breath of fresh air.
After pack up I was happy to get home and collapse on the couch, have something to eat, watch "So You Think You Can Dance" and then go to bed. Very tired but having had a good weekend.
Of course Monday morning has rolled around way too fast for my liking though...
[Here's some more info about Ven. Robina and the Liberation Prison Project which she began, and is director of.]
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