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This morning, we meditated on Day 72 of the Lamrim Year:
■ If we were mentally incapacitated we would have no freedom to practice Dharma
■ Karma can ripen at any time and take away our ability to understand and communicate
■ We have the choice to study Dharma and use our mind as a tool for happinessAnd this morning, more close placement (this one is quite short – about 15 mins):
2a. Meditation: Close Placement on Feeling: Placement Meditation and then observing impermanence – Ven. Yönten
This morning, we followed:
3c.Meditation: Close Placement on Mind – Ven. Yönten
Last week, we did more from Lamrim Year.
Day 70:
■ If we were born in an age with no buddha we would never encounter the Dharma
■ There are dark periods when the teachings of the Buddha do not exist
■ We need to meditate again and again on our rare, unique and precious human rebirthDay 71:
■ If we were born as a barbarian we would have no opportunity to hear the Dharma
■ Lacking any concept of karma or faith in refuge, barbarians are trapped in suffering
■ We must appreciate this opportunity and practice Dharma continuously from now onToday we went for the 4th Close Placement (Phenomena), from this series, listening to the 3 min introduction and then following the meditation.
There is also an 8 minute follow-up, if anyone wants some extra!
4 Close Placements for Beginners – Ven. Yönten
This morning, we followed:
Express Meditation Ven.Losang Dondrub: Contemplation of the Dharma Jewel
Last week, on Monday, the group repeated the Animals meditation (Day 68) of the Lamrim Year:
■ Animals are dumb and foolish, trapped by ignorance in a life without choice
■ We need to realize that by this time tomorrow we could be a lobster, fish or worm
■ Reflecting on the suffering of animals enables us to appreciate our own freedomThen on Tuesday, we moved onto the God realm (Day 69):
■ It is very difficult for the gods to see the nature of suffering and practice Dharma
■ We can see for ourselves how material possessions bring attachment and distraction
■ Contemplating the suffering of the gods helps us appreciate this precious human lifeI missed Monday June 9, so thanks again to Laura F. for keeping the sessions going.
On the Tuesday (June 10), we finally got to the hungry ghosts on Day 67 of the Lamrim Year:
■ The suffering of hunger and thirst makes it near impossible to think of anything else
■ The lives of hungry ghosts are totally overwhelmed by desperation
■ If we were reborn as a hungry ghost we would have no freedom to practice DharmaThanks again to Laura, Katrin and Judy for keeping the sessions going.
This week, on both days, they revisited:
8_C2_March 24_Meditation_12 Links – Ven. Yönten.
Have a lovely week!
I had to miss Monday’s session, but I believe the group followed Day 68 of the Lam Rim year.
■ Animals are dumb and foolish, trapped by ignorance in a life without choice
■ We need to realize that by this time tomorrow we could be a lobster, fish or worm
■ Reflecting on the suffering of animals enables us to appreciate our own freedomToday, Laura F led a meditation on the Seven Point Cause-And-Effect Method for generating Bodhicitta (as she did in the review session last week). Thank you, Laura!
I don’t think there was a session on May 19 due to technical issues.
Then yesterday, we followed Day 66 of the Lam Rim year. Hell realms!
■ A hell being’s mind has no space for anything except unbearable suffering
■ It’s impossible to develop positive qualities when experiencing terrible pain
■ By contemplating such suffering we generate the energy to really practice DharmaOn May 13, there was Day 65 of the Lam Rim year:
■ The first section of this topic describes the extraordinary conditions we have
■ We should reflect deeply on each of the eight freedoms and ten richnesses
■ In this way we naturally develop compassion for beings who lack these opportunitiesOn May 12, we followed:
Meditation on taking and giving – Ven. Thubten Chonyi
Then on May 6, I think Laura F shared this one:
Express Meditation Ven.Losang Dondrub: Eleven Points Meditation on Bodhichitta
I was away again on May 5. I suggested this one, but I don’t know whether it was followed that day!
Express Meditation Ven.Losang Dondrub: Contemplating our Emotional Habit Patterns
