A Treeleaf Event w/ a Very Special Teacher- Konin Cardenas/Dhammadipa -Sun. Oct. 8th

[Shinshi]

I joined "One Way". I found the talk amazing, and she was amazing. What a presence.

And the song chant at the end. Why don't we have sung chants!

Gassho, Shinshi

SaT-LaH

[Jundo]

And the song chant at the end. Why don't we have sung chants!

Go ahead! I look forward to your rendition, and feel free to bring one of your guitars, Shin.

Gassho, J

stlah

[Houzan]

I joined live yesterday. Great talk. Thank you, Jundo, for setting this up

Gassho, Michael
Sat

[Kokuu]

So pleased that I joined the talk this morning. I reviewed the chapter beforehand and the topic was more relevent to me currently. Since I have become disabled I can no longer do my occupation, which was a big identity for me. I can no longer travel with a backpack, a passport, and a guidebook the way that I loved to do. And I could no longer run for hours, which felt like a big part of who I was (if I walk 100ft now it's a big deal). Currently, my wife is traveling in Greece with her hospice nurse friends and I somewhat surprsingly find that I couldn't be happier for her. It does bring up that loss again, but I really am feeling the joy in her joy. I think even a year or two ago it wouldn't have been the same. During the talk my son went out on a long run in the forested park that I used to run in daily. Again, couldn't be happier for him. The lack of envy does surprise me a little, but it is easier when it's someone you love, and already feel a part of, as it really does feel like it's still me running and traveling. In my situation mudita is pretty critical to relieve suffering. The career loss I still have work to do on.

That is so lovely you can feel sympathetic joy, Koriki. I am a member of a severe chronic illness support group and grief for their losses and envy of others tend to be the two big issues above and beyond the physical symptoms of illness. Being able to feel joy for our loved ones makes things much easier as their joy brings us joy rather than suffering.

I think that Ayya Dhammadipa's answers about grief and loss were really good. In my experience it is something that takes time and we have to be gentle and kind to ourselves while we go through it and use the same kind of love that makes mudita possible.

Please do keep sharing your insights on this, as they really do get to the heart of practice.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday-

[Hoseki]

This was wonderful!


Gassho,
Hoseki

[Tai Shi]

My wife is my best Zen teacher. She does not practice with a tradition, but her Tee Shirt reads "Be Kindness." Her belief that people can be kind, and she believes as the Dali Lama does that compassion teaches loving kindness. Her life in old age is to play. I approve of her activities, but it is not my place to approve or disapprove as she often tells me I cannot tell anyone what to do. From Dhammapadipa I have learned how we have imagined, and reimagined yourself, and in our old age we are becoming fulfilled, we do also follow another Tee Shirt my wife has with this word, KINDNESS, so our lives together as friends, has been to discovers kindness and compassion. The Buddha taught above all else be Loving Kindness.
sat/lah
Gassho
Deep bows