0:00:05.477,0:00:07.579 (Bell) 0:00:11.139,0:00:17.161 (Bell) 0:00:31.502,0:00:37.408 (Bell) 0:00:53.843,0:01:00.598 (Bell) 0:01:10.776,0:01:13.002 Dear respected Thay, 0:01:14.083,0:01:17.329 dear brothers and sisters, dear community, 0:01:18.708,0:01:24.461 today is Sunday the 7th of October[br]in the year 2018 0:01:24.570,0:01:29.627 and we are in the Assembly of Stars[br]meditation hall at the Lower Hamlet. 0:01:32.176,0:01:36.899 And I think it is our fourth week[br]of the Rain Retreat. 0:01:41.767,0:01:46.465 We are continuing on the theme of[br]the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings 0:01:46.648,0:01:49.101 for this Rain Retreat. 0:01:56.704,0:02:01.512 We've learned the moment[br]we step into Plum Village 0:02:03.375,0:02:06.593 that we want to cultivate here 0:02:08.173,0:02:13.200 our energies of mindfulness,[br]concentration and insight. 0:02:16.921,0:02:21.121 These are energies that are innate in us. 0:02:21.626,0:02:27.697 And the practices that we do here[br]help us to tap into these energies inside. 0:02:27.880,0:02:32.698 Because once the energies of mindfulness,[br]concentration and insight 0:02:34.086,0:02:36.912 are growing in us, 0:02:37.611,0:02:42.149 they help us to be truly alive, 0:02:43.839,0:02:48.490 to savor every moment of our life, 0:02:49.565,0:02:57.486 to experience deeply, to appreciate deeply[br]the simplicity of life, 0:02:57.749,0:03:03.580 the beauties around us[br]that a lot of times we take for granted. 0:03:05.640,0:03:09.076 And they are these energies that help us 0:03:11.473,0:03:20.697 to understand deeply who we are,[br]the way we are, 0:03:21.225,0:03:24.276 why we suffer the way we do 0:03:24.747,0:03:28.049 and to transform this suffering[br]that we have. 0:03:29.520,0:03:32.464 So these are powerful energies. 0:03:34.159,0:03:35.578 The Buddha had taught 0:03:36.578,0:03:42.789 these what we call learnings, trainings[br]but they are learnings, 0:03:43.386,0:03:49.454 extensively in his teachings[br]during his lifetime. 0:03:53.353,0:04:00.325 But he also mentioned the three learnings[br]or the three trainings as 0:04:00.546,0:04:03.718 precepts, concentration and insight, 0:04:03.846,0:04:07.656 not just mindfulness, concentration[br]and insight but it is precepts. 0:04:07.716,0:04:10.678 Precepts, concentration and insight. 0:04:10.775,0:04:15.487 In our first Dharma talk we heard about[br]that a little bit from Sister Doan Nghiem. 0:04:17.403,0:04:26.823 And it was Thay who showed us the link[br]between mindfulness and precepts. 0:04:29.492,0:04:36.278 And that the practice of the precepts[br]is really the practice of mindfulness, 0:04:36.516,0:04:42.086 because the precepts really heighten[br]our awareness of our actions 0:04:42.436,0:04:48.776 of body, speech and mind that could bring[br]suffering to ourselves and to other people. 0:04:53.467,0:04:59.205 The precepts, I call them the Dharma doors,[br]they are different Dharma doors, 0:04:59.296,0:05:02.684 each one of the precepts is a Dharma door 0:05:02.927,0:05:08.575 that help us to experience 0:05:10.605,0:05:14.788 what is happening in the present moment[br]in ourselves. 0:05:15.929,0:05:21.794 They are like an MRI[br]that help us to see our mind. 0:05:24.786,0:05:27.966 In the lifetime of the Buddha, 0:05:29.076,0:05:34.597 he devised the precepts[br]for us to practice. 0:05:34.898,0:05:39.227 And usually he devised these precepts 0:05:41.743,0:05:47.687 in response to incidents that happened, 0:05:49.326,0:05:55.355 incidents that the monks[br]and the nuns encountered 0:05:55.756,0:05:57.717 that could... 0:06:00.517,0:06:04.989 So incidents that happened[br]that creat suffering 0:06:06.476,0:06:11.157 for oneself and for other people[br]either now or later. 0:06:17.936,0:06:22.838 The precepts are really guidelines for us 0:06:29.212,0:06:33.333 to see ourselves, to go into ourselves, 0:06:33.488,0:06:38.876 to be aware of the working of our mind. 0:06:52.151,0:06:57.525 And Thay instead of calling them precepts, 0:06:58.295,0:07:02.152 Thay called them[br]the Mindfulness Trainings. 0:07:02.272,0:07:06.125 And that is what they are[br]to train us to be more mindful. 0:07:07.238,0:07:12.500 So we have five trainings[br]for lay practitioners, 0:07:13.890,0:07:23.418 we have 250 for fully ordained monks[br]and we have 348 for fully ordained nuns. 0:07:25.648,0:07:32.198 I remember when I was a novice,[br]I was a bit resistant to the trainings, 0:07:32.405,0:07:37.976 especially to the idea that the nuns[br]have more trainings than the monks, 0:07:40.006,0:07:43.447 and it was one of the venerables[br]from Vietnam 0:07:43.561,0:07:46.838 who was teaching us[br]the mindfulness trainings who said, 0:07:46.942,0:07:50.576 and he was quite serious[br]when he said this, he said, 0:07:51.867,0:07:57.634 "The Buddha loves the nuns so much more, 0:07:58.136,0:08:05.665 because he devised[br]348 mindfulness trainings for the nuns 0:08:05.835,0:08:10.638 which means that the nuns have[br]more protections than the monks." 0:08:11.267,0:08:15.798 And that really shifted[br]my perspective on this, 0:08:16.197,0:08:19.715 that we are loved, we are loved[br]by the Buddha 0:08:19.955,0:08:23.260 and that we have[br]more trainings for us to practice, 0:08:23.598,0:08:26.196 more trainings for us to... 0:08:28.154,0:08:30.788 More Dharma doors for us 0:08:31.807,0:08:38.596 to experience the present moment,[br]to experience and to see ourselves deeply. 0:08:40.655,0:08:43.656 More protection for us. 0:08:44.249,0:08:47.768 So it was just a matter of perspective 0:08:48.041,0:08:52.978 that changed completely my idea[br]about the mindfulness trainings. 0:08:53.855,0:08:59.907 So during the war we have learned that,[br]during the war in Vietnam, 0:09:00.061,0:09:03.477 in the midst of all the atrocities 0:09:03.928,0:09:07.305 and the suffering and the violence[br]that was happening 0:09:08.917,0:09:14.877 Thay devised the 14 mindfulness trainings[br]for us to practice. 0:09:16.098,0:09:21.104 They were also in response to the[br]situation that was happening in Vietnam 0:09:21.272,0:09:24.197 but also in the world. 0:09:32.927,0:09:40.769 The war, those of you[br]who have been in it know 0:09:44.890,0:09:48.972 the horrendous suffering, the fear, 0:09:55.648,0:10:01.394 that everyone is feeling, experiencing. 0:10:04.908,0:10:10.891 For many of us, the Vietnamese siblings, 0:10:11.962,0:10:15.221 even though we may be born after the war, 0:10:15.359,0:10:19.125 but I know the war[br]is very much a part of us. 0:10:21.791,0:10:25.124 I know that is my case too. 0:10:32.358,0:10:37.579 I was born at the end of the war[br]and I didn't think it had an impact on me. 0:10:37.774,0:10:45.749 But one time there was a documentary[br]of Sister Chan Khong and her work. 0:10:48.458,0:10:55.506 And it was shown like a preview for her[br]and some of the monastics. 0:10:55.636,0:11:00.395 So I went in, and right in the middle[br]of the documentary 0:11:01.116,0:11:08.439 there was a scene where there was fighting[br] 0:11:08.627,0:11:11.628 and Sister Chan Khong's voice[br]in the background 0:11:11.777,0:11:14.648 but the scene was killing and fighting. 0:11:14.719,0:11:18.941 And at that moment I felt a lot of tension[br]and I couldn't even breathe. 0:11:19.068,0:11:21.598 I thought, "What's going on?". 0:11:21.719,0:11:24.377 And I had to leave the room[br]after five minutes. 0:11:24.447,0:11:26.837 I couldn't bear it anymore. 0:11:26.966,0:11:29.807 So I went out and[br]I was really perplexed about it, 0:11:29.926,0:11:31.879 I thought, 0:11:32.477,0:11:35.496 "What is happening in me?" 0:11:35.619,0:11:40.757 So I breathed and[br]I practiced walking meditation 0:11:40.948,0:11:47.577 and I realized that even though[br]I didn't experience the war, 0:11:49.544,0:11:53.799 but it had affected me very much. 0:11:54.336,0:12:00.835 And just seeing a scene of the killing[br]and the fighting in the movie 0:12:01.136,0:12:03.608 was enough to trigger 0:12:04.638,0:12:08.585 this fear and anxiety that I have. 0:12:08.696,0:12:15.608 So I know a lot of my siblings[br]have PTSD, not just veterans in Vietnam 0:12:15.707,0:12:19.500 but a lot of us have it. 0:12:19.923,0:12:26.298 We just have to sit[br]and look deeply into ourselves 0:12:26.445,0:12:31.735 and we can see the presence[br]of the war there in us. 0:12:32.575,0:12:38.259 So the Fourteen Mindfulness[br]Trainings came about. 0:12:42.581,0:12:45.570 They are guidelines 0:12:46.001,0:12:50.895 to practice in the midst[br]of all the suffering. 0:12:52.825,0:12:57.462 In Vietnamese we call the Fourteen[br]Mindfulness Trainings "Tiếp Hiện". 0:12:58.307,0:13:03.599 "Tiếp" as in the word (Vietnamese), 0:13:03.748,0:13:06.877 which means to be in touch. 0:13:07.035,0:13:12.556 To be in touch with[br]the reality of the world, 0:13:13.315,0:13:17.715 to be in touch with the reality[br]of our body and mind. 0:13:17.815,0:13:21.575 In other words, to be present[br]to whatever is there, 0:13:21.706,0:13:24.909 we are not running away[br]from whatever is there. 0:13:25.026,0:13:28.692 Thay and the monastics during the war 0:13:28.792,0:13:35.903 they were not satisfied by sitting in the[br]temple meditating in the meditation hall. 0:13:35.973,0:13:38.255 They found they needed[br]to really go out there 0:13:39.137,0:13:42.666 and really do something[br]to help alleviate the suffering. 0:13:48.455,0:13:52.218 "Tiếp" also means to continue, 0:13:52.398,0:13:55.509 as in the word (Vietnamese). 0:13:56.150,0:13:59.316 To continue, to extend, 0:13:59.934,0:14:04.180 to continue the work of[br]the Buddha and the Bodhisattvas 0:14:04.304,0:14:07.111 and all our ancestral teachers, 0:14:07.993,0:14:15.276 to sow seeds of awakening,[br]to sow seeds of love and peace. 0:14:23.986,0:14:28.110 So it's really being in touch[br]with the suffering 0:14:28.269,0:14:30.898 in us and around us. 0:14:36.017,0:14:40.984 We have a chance to cultivate compassion,[br]to cultivate awakening 0:14:41.091,0:14:43.965 just like the mud and the lotus. 0:14:44.068,0:14:47.625 We've heard about mud and lotus. 0:14:48.315,0:14:52.432 That is for us to grow lotuses[br]we need the mud. 0:14:52.710,0:14:54.744 The suffering is the mud. 0:14:54.878,0:14:59.547 We really need to face the mud,[br]to face the suffering 0:15:01.325,0:15:04.333 in order for lotuses to grow, 0:15:04.469,0:15:10.272 in order for happiness, and peace,[br]and compassion to be possible. 0:15:13.486,0:15:18.329 And "hiện", as in the word "Tiếp Hiện", 0:15:20.110,0:15:26.881 it means present,[br]like (Vietnamese) for example. 0:15:31.127,0:15:33.868 It means here and now. 0:15:35.253,0:15:39.717 That only the present moment is real, 0:15:40.330,0:15:43.498 and that only in the present moment 0:15:45.098,0:15:55.078 we can tap into the seed of peace[br]and awakening inside us. 0:16:02.450,0:16:08.321 "Hiện" also means to realize,[br]as in the word (Vietnamese), to realize. 0:16:09.438,0:16:14.958 Realization means to be able[br]to understand ourselves 0:16:15.130,0:16:18.499 and to transform ourselves,[br]to transform our suffering. 0:16:25.357,0:16:28.226 Because when we are transformed, 0:16:29.603,0:16:34.500 when we have a lot of space[br]inside ourselves, 0:16:34.600,0:16:38.109 when we have clarity inside ourselves, 0:16:40.368,0:16:46.387 we have a lot of energy to do something[br]to alleviate the suffering 0:16:46.721,0:16:48.929 for other people. 0:16:49.552,0:16:53.977 We know what to do and what not to do[br]to alleviate the suffering. 0:16:55.534,0:17:02.331 So I'd like to read the first three[br]of the 14 Mindfulness Trainings, 0:17:02.450,0:17:06.880 because today I will talk about[br]the first, and the second, and the third 0:17:06.951,0:17:09.876 of the 14 Mindfulness Trainings. 0:17:10.038,0:17:14.874 The First Mindfulness Training, Openness: 0:17:16.542,0:17:20.386 "Aware of the suffering created[br]by fanaticism and intolerance, 0:17:20.524,0:17:23.315 we are determined[br]not to be idolatrous about 0:17:23.448,0:17:27.987 or bound to any doctrine, theory[br]or ideology, even Buddhist ones. 0:17:28.105,0:17:32.095 We are committed to seeing the Buddhist[br]teachings as guiding means 0:17:32.268,0:17:36.700 that help us develop[br]our understanding and compassion. 0:17:36.763,0:17:40.332 They are not doctrines to fight,[br]kill or die for. 0:17:40.588,0:17:45.825 We understand that fanaticism in its many[br]forms is the result of perceiving things 0:17:46.116,0:17:52.585 in a dualistic and discriminative manner.[br]We will train ourselves to look deeply 0:17:53.007,0:17:55.981 at everything with openness[br]and the insight of Interbeing 0:17:56.116,0:18:01.587 in order to transform dogmatism and[br]violence in ourselves and in the world." 0:18:04.188,0:18:09.329 And the Second Mindfulness Training:[br]Non-attachment to Views. 0:18:09.977,0:18:14.059 "Aware of the suffering created by[br]attachment to views and wrong perceptions, 0:18:14.197,0:18:19.373 we are determined to avoid being[br]narrow-minded and bound to present views. 0:18:20.088,0:18:24.505 We are committed to learning and[br]practicing non-attachment to views 0:18:24.655,0:18:29.058 and being open to others experiences[br]and insights in order to benefit 0:18:29.202,0:18:34.022 from the collective wisdom. We are aware[br]that the knowledge we presently posses 0:18:34.132,0:18:36.941 is not changeless, absolute truth. 0:18:37.044,0:18:42.953 Insight is revealed through the practice[br]of compassionate listening, deep looking 0:18:43.023,0:18:45.234 and letting go of notions, 0:18:45.306,0:18:49.988 rather than through accumulation[br]of intellectual knowledge. 0:18:50.147,0:18:56.909 Truth is found in life, and we will observe[br]life within and around us in every moment, 0:18:56.977,0:19:00.653 ready to learn throughout our lives." 0:19:02.038,0:19:06.361 The Third Mindfulness Training,[br]Freedom of Thought: 0:19:06.609,0:19:10.782 "Aware of the suffering brought about[br]when we impose our views on others, 0:19:10.904,0:19:16.552 we are determined not to force others,[br]even our children, by any means whatsoever 0:19:16.611,0:19:21.144 such as authority, threat, money,[br]propaganda or indoctrination, 0:19:21.416,0:19:23.911 to adopt our views. 0:19:24.033,0:19:27.918 We are committed to respecting the right[br]of others to be different, 0:19:28.035,0:19:31.372 to choose what to believe[br]and how to decide. 0:19:31.494,0:19:37.927 We will, however, learn to help others[br]let go of and transform fanaticism 0:19:38.058,0:19:43.418 and narrowness through loving speech[br]and compassionate dialogue." 0:19:46.922,0:19:50.320 So we can see that the first... 0:19:53.379,0:19:56.400 first three of the Fourteen[br]Mindfulness Trainings... 0:19:56.509,0:19:59.110 I have to mention about. 0:19:59.219,0:20:06.932 In English, the 14 Mindfulness Trainings[br]are called the Order of Interbeing. 0:20:08.712,0:20:15.869 I thought one said that[br]it is not a direct translation 0:20:17.978,0:20:23.170 of "Tiếp Hiện", "Interbeing", because[br]"Tiếp Hiện" is not really interbeing. 0:20:23.350,0:20:29.812 Why are there two different names? 0:20:30.907,0:20:35.290 So I reflected on it, 0:20:40.064,0:20:43.244 and what I found is that 0:20:43.538,0:20:48.592 when we truly experience[br]interconnectedness, interbeing, 0:20:52.043,0:20:57.906 what it helps us is that our heart[br]and our mind are completely open. 0:20:59.162,0:21:03.597 Are completely open to be[br]in the skin of other people. 0:21:03.946,0:21:08.462 We can see what's happening to me[br]is happening to other people, 0:21:08.554,0:21:13.399 and what is happening to other people[br]is actually affecting me a lot. 0:21:14.474,0:21:20.577 So naturally, the insight of interbeing[br]when I'm able to experience it deeply, 0:21:20.970,0:21:29.786 helps me to protect, it helps me[br]to do something to help other people. 0:21:30.491,0:21:36.736 So it's in the same spirit of "Tiếp Hiện",[br]coming in touch with the suffering 0:21:38.333,0:21:42.046 and seeing the connectedness[br]between myself and other people. 0:21:46.009,0:21:51.628 It is only through this insight[br]of interconnectedness, of interbeing, 0:21:54.274,0:22:00.806 that we can be motivated to do something. 0:22:01.905,0:22:05.105 Otherwise, we are just looking[br]after our own interest 0:22:05.827,0:22:08.908 and our own safety. 0:22:09.621,0:22:16.179 The first three fo these Mindfulness[br]Trainings talk about the mind. 0:22:18.117,0:22:25.833 Buddha taught us that the mind[br]is really the king of all the dharmas. 0:22:27.249,0:22:30.668 (Vietnamese) in Vietnamese. 0:22:31.051,0:22:34.417 Because the mind paints the world, 0:22:34.588,0:22:38.430 the mind is like a painter[br]that paints a reality. 0:22:41.723,0:22:46.725 The mind creates our own reality, 0:22:46.936,0:22:53.489 whether it's a physical reality,[br]whether it is social or the environment. 0:22:57.264,0:23:01.177 And it's also called[br]the first three trainings 0:23:01.309,0:23:05.124 "The cream of the Buddha's teaching". 0:23:05.285,0:23:09.917 Because in Buddhism, 0:23:10.957,0:23:14.747 our ultimate goal is to be free. 0:23:16.917,0:23:21.531 To free from ideas and views and notions. 0:23:21.720,0:23:25.479 So these trainings really [br]adjust that issues, 0:23:25.679,0:23:30.352 the issues of attachment,[br]the issue of dogmatism, 0:23:30.670,0:23:34.411 the issues of fanaticism, 0:23:38.100,0:23:42.436 so that we can free ourselves. 0:23:45.020,0:23:51.352 So that we can be free from[br]ideas and notions and perceptions. 0:23:53.030,0:23:57.886 When we are free, we can experience[br]nirvana right here, right now. 0:23:58.445,0:24:02.209 We don't need to die[br]to experience nirvana. 0:24:03.328,0:24:07.446 Nirvana is a place, is a state of mind 0:24:08.820,0:24:13.801 when we are free. Brother Phap Dung[br]mentioned this. 0:24:13.986,0:24:17.874 When we are free of ideas and notions, 0:24:18.281,0:24:21.119 not holding on to, not clinging. 0:24:21.782,0:24:24.813 We can let go. 0:24:26.604,0:24:30.795 That is the cream[br]of the Buddhist teachings. 0:24:30.993,0:24:34.596 The other things that[br]we are doing in Plum Village, 0:24:34.714,0:24:37.441 the other practices that we do, 0:24:37.596,0:24:40.856 whether it's breathing or walking, 0:24:41.143,0:24:46.868 they help us to have peace now. 0:24:47.352,0:24:55.223 They help us to calm our body,[br]to calm our mind, but ultimately, 0:24:57.040,0:25:00.744 it is to help us to let go of[br]our ideas and notions. 0:25:00.912,0:25:04.208 To help us to see[br]where we get stuck and blocked 0:25:04.364,0:25:09.015 so that we can let go and be free. 0:25:17.529,0:25:23.790 So when we hold on to an idea, when[br]we are attached to views and notions, 0:25:24.708,0:25:28.228 when we are dogmatic about something, 0:25:28.923,0:25:32.723 we feel rigid and close-minded. 0:25:34.573,0:25:40.553 For me, ideas and notions[br]is all about my perceptions, 0:25:40.656,0:25:44.405 it is all about the constructions[br]of the mind, right? 0:25:44.504,0:25:47.234 It's my own construction 0:25:47.384,0:25:51.235 of reality, of other people. 0:25:51.816,0:25:56.678 And it feels so real,[br]it's like our own reality. 0:25:59.149,0:26:04.690 The Buddha taught about knowledge[br]like my own experience of reality, 0:26:04.775,0:26:07.980 my knowledge of reality, 0:26:08.128,0:26:15.242 the knowledge I have about reality,[br]about myself and about other people, 0:26:17.129,0:26:22.905 maybe an obstacle to my own growth[br]and to my own transformation, 0:26:24.113,0:26:27.332 my own growth. 0:26:29.403,0:26:33.852 It's an obstacle to true understanding. 0:26:36.415,0:26:39.710 So clinging on to views, 0:26:40.298,0:26:44.747 clinging on to notions[br]can prevent us from arriving 0:26:45.647,0:26:51.347 at a deeper and profound[br]understanding of reality. 0:27:02.607,0:27:06.023 There is a sutra that[br]Thay always talked about 0:27:06.144,0:27:09.366 when he talked about[br]these first three trainings. 0:27:09.496,0:27:16.689 It's a story in the sutra called[br]The Sutra of the One Hundred Parables, 0:27:17.416,0:27:20.638 the story of a father and a son. 0:27:20.729,0:27:27.459 The father is a merchant,[br]and he was living with his son. 0:27:28.987,0:27:32.791 One time, he went on a business trip. 0:27:37.986,0:27:43.405 During that time,[br]the robbers came to the village 0:27:43.474,0:27:47.159 and stole everything and[br]they burned down the village 0:27:47.255,0:27:49.547 and they killed people. 0:27:49.667,0:27:52.265 And when he came home, 0:27:52.416,0:27:57.178 he found a dead body next to his house. 0:27:58.517,0:28:02.581 And he thought that was[br]his son that was killed. 0:28:02.749,0:28:09.109 So he suffered a lot and[br]he cremated the body of his son 0:28:10.460,0:28:13.370 and put the ashes in a bag. 0:28:13.599,0:28:18.318 And he took it with him wherever he went. 0:28:18.654,0:28:24.783 And he lamented over the death of his son,[br]he suffered a lot. 0:28:26.777,0:28:28.926 One time- 0:28:29.795,0:28:32.009 His son, 0:28:32.314,0:28:37.475 he was not actually killed,[br]he was kidnapped by these robbers. 0:28:38.990,0:28:42.498 And he managed to escape. 0:28:44.877,0:28:48.088 And he went back home,[br]he found his way back. 0:28:48.237,0:28:54.077 In the mid of the night, he knocked at[br]the house that his dad had rebuild. 0:28:55.953,0:28:58.540 He knocked, he knocked, 0:28:58.690,0:29:03.034 but his dad, who was inside crying and[br]suffering from the dead of his son, 0:29:03.134,0:29:05.053 refused to open the door. 0:29:05.467,0:29:09.811 He thought it was someone[br]playing a prank on him. 0:29:11.748,0:29:16.448 So out of desperation he left his dad, 0:29:16.597,0:29:21.120 and his dad lost him forever. 0:29:21.239,0:29:27.601 So the Buddha said that sometimes[br]the truth comes knocking at our door, 0:29:28.194,0:29:30.686 but we refuse to let it in 0:29:30.814,0:29:33.954 because we have all these ideas, 0:29:35.685,0:29:40.915 we have all these beliefs[br]that we consider the truth, reality, 0:29:41.027,0:29:44.867 and nothing else is the truth. 0:29:46.018,0:29:52.480 So knowledge is an obstacle to the path. 0:29:59.694,0:30:02.313 (Vietnamese) 0:30:03.050,0:30:04.841 (Bell) 0:30:07.967,0:30:14.804 (Bell) 0:30:42.408,0:30:47.850 My question, every time[br]I heard this teaching was, 0:30:49.065,0:30:53.516 How do I know I'm stuck[br]in my ideas and perceptions? 0:30:55.431,0:31:01.449 How do I know I'm caught in, I'm attached[br]to notions, and ideas, and perceptions? 0:31:02.253,0:31:05.896 Because I realize that if[br]I know this is a perception, 0:31:06.013,0:31:08.991 it's no longer a perception. 0:31:10.753,0:31:15.266 And if I know I'm caught in a perception,[br]or an idea or a notion, 0:31:15.388,0:31:18.006 I can let go so easily. 0:31:18.120,0:31:25.720 It's just that I don't know that I'm[br]caught in an idea or notion or perception. 0:31:26.231,0:31:31.168 And I see that in people around me.[br]Sometimes they are so stuck, 0:31:31.501,0:31:34.222 and yet they don't see they are stuck. 0:31:34.325,0:31:39.334 Sometimes their ideas and views[br]are so narrow like this 0:31:39.455,0:31:41.580 but they don't see that. 0:31:41.661,0:31:46.016 And that's the difficult thing[br]about perception 0:31:47.535,0:31:50.787 and belief systems that we have. 0:31:53.750,0:31:56.176 So how do I practice, 0:31:57.916,0:32:06.209 how do you practice to recognize that[br]you are attached to views, and notions, 0:32:06.901,0:32:09.929 ideas and perceptions? 0:32:13.442,0:32:24.476 It's been something that I've...[br]always have to sort of warn myself, 0:32:24.636,0:32:29.902 caution myself about it, about whether[br]I am stuck in ideas, and views 0:32:29.982,0:32:32.128 and perceptions, 0:32:32.267,0:32:36.437 because I know the suffering[br]that I would experience if I'm stuck, 0:32:36.557,0:32:42.843 I'm attached to a perception,[br]to an idea, to a notion. 0:32:51.614,0:32:54.129 So I have some practices. 0:32:57.821,0:33:02.830 Sister Annabel, Sister Chan Duc[br]talked about the love meditation, 0:33:02.961,0:33:08.683 the metta meditation.[br]I have my own metta meditation. 0:33:13.008,0:33:16.872 I made it really simple[br]so that I can practice them. 0:33:17.044,0:33:19.505 I usually do it 0:33:20.958,0:33:26.036 when I go to bed,[br]I say this loving meditation for myself. 0:33:26.402,0:33:32.137 And then, when I wake up in the morning,[br]I say this loving meditation to everyone, 0:33:32.310,0:33:34.672 to other people. 0:33:34.770,0:33:40.222 The first one is,[br]May I be safe and protected. 0:33:42.191,0:33:45.557 The second one,[br]May I be happy and peaceful. 0:33:47.103,0:33:52.305 And the third one is,[br]May I be healthy in my body and my mind. 0:33:52.895,0:33:55.302 And the fourth one is, 0:33:56.914,0:34:02.630 May I be free from wrong views,[br]wrong perceptions, and wrong desires. 0:34:04.078,0:34:07.228 This is a reminder for me 0:34:07.749,0:34:13.267 to be really mindful,[br]to be able to see 0:34:15.790,0:34:18.430 the wrong views, [br]the wrong perceptions I have. 0:34:18.559,0:34:21.990 It's coming from a deep desire in me 0:34:23.487,0:34:28.578 to understand and to see whether[br]I'm caught in a wrong view, 0:34:28.878,0:34:32.212 wrong perception, wrong desire, 0:34:32.381,0:34:35.639 because I realize that[br]I may be stuck in a wrong perception, 0:34:35.781,0:34:38.229 in a wrong desire, 0:34:38.336,0:34:41.144 a wrong view and I may not even know it. 0:34:42.873,0:34:48.573 This love meditation that[br]I do for myself is to help me 0:34:51.009,0:35:00.116 enhance my awareness of notions and ideas[br]and belief systems that I may have, 0:35:01.335,0:35:05.340 that are narrow and limited. 0:35:10.650,0:35:15.172 But it also comes from[br]this deep desire to understand. 0:35:15.423,0:35:18.382 And I know where I am right now 0:35:23.829,0:35:26.395 can be changed, 0:35:26.495,0:35:29.503 that my understanding grows 0:35:29.655,0:35:35.567 and that there is a higher reality,[br]a higher understanding, a higher wisdom 0:35:36.407,0:35:40.802 and that my practice[br]is to be able to stay open 0:35:40.934,0:35:44.219 so that I can experience[br]this deeper understanding, 0:35:44.494,0:35:47.564 deeper wisdom. 0:35:50.963,0:35:56.615 So that I'm not caught in my own[br]understanding and knowledge. 0:35:57.195,0:36:05.210 May I be free from wrong views,[br]wrong perceptions and wrong desires. 0:36:06.425,0:36:15.820 The fifth one that I practice is,[br]May I have clarity into my own suffering, 0:36:17.491,0:36:22.591 into habit energies, into my shortcomings. 0:36:31.643,0:36:36.096 That also from that desire to understand, 0:36:37.365,0:36:40.187 that desire to, 0:36:42.974,0:36:48.675 to not get caught in my narrow views,[br]in my belief system. 0:36:49.794,0:36:53.320 To be free from my conditioning. 0:36:57.249,0:37:03.293 But one of the sutras[br]that was eye-opening for me 0:37:04.302,0:37:08.031 was the Discourse on the Absolute Truth. 0:37:08.801,0:37:15.265 It is a sutra in the Sutta Nipata 4.5, 0:37:15.341,0:37:18.076 and I really like this discourse. 0:37:18.170,0:37:21.216 It's something that[br]I read often to myself 0:37:21.855,0:37:25.588 because they are... 0:37:30.354,0:37:34.717 because they are like MRI for me[br]to look at myself, 0:37:34.811,0:37:42.351 a sort of guidelines for me to go in[br]and to see whether I'm attached to views, 0:37:43.434,0:37:46.426 whether I'm being dogmatic or not. 0:37:49.736,0:37:54.494 "He who still abides by a dogmatic view, 0:37:54.569,0:37:58.257 considering it as[br]the highest in the world, 0:37:58.327,0:38:01.239 thinking, “This is the most excellent,” 0:38:01.317,0:38:04.657 and disparaging other views as inferior, 0:38:04.721,0:38:08.880 is still considered[br]not to be free from disputes." 0:38:10.878,0:38:16.148 So if I had a think that I am the best,[br]if I think that my idea is the best, 0:38:16.228,0:38:22.289 then this is I'm caught.[br]This maybe a dogmatic view. 0:38:23.361,0:38:26.189 That is a bell of mindfulness for me, 0:38:26.269,0:38:29.108 because I know[br]that is the tendency I have, 0:38:29.194,0:38:33.114 to think that the idea I have is right. 0:38:33.351,0:38:37.870 This helps me, it is[br]like a light that brings... 0:38:39.154,0:38:42.673 You know, bringing a light[br]into my mind to see, 0:38:42.852,0:38:47.070 Yes, I'm being caught in a dogmatic view. 0:38:48.571,0:38:51.849 "When seeing, hearing,[br]or sensing something 0:38:51.915,0:38:57.529 and considering it as the only thing that[br]can bring comfort and advantage to self, 0:38:57.700,0:39:05.030 one is always inclined to get caught in it[br]and rule out everything else as inferior." 0:39:07.455,0:39:10.360 That sounds familiar, isn't it? 0:39:11.161,0:39:14.692 What we see, what we hear, what we sense 0:39:16.040,0:39:22.480 we consider that they are the only things[br]that can bring us comfort. 0:39:25.565,0:39:31.317 And it is a bell of mindfulness for me,[br]because I see that sometimes 0:39:32.300,0:39:36.252 our thinking, our belief system,[br]our notions and ideas 0:39:36.371,0:39:39.711 could be a comfort zone for us. 0:39:42.384,0:39:49.362 We all have a need for[br]material comfort and emotional comfort. 0:39:50.174,0:39:53.754 And sometimes this comfort can be... 0:40:00.381,0:40:04.271 They may be causes of our suffering. 0:40:06.229,0:40:11.689 And finding comfort in our ideas,[br]and notions, and knowledge 0:40:14.440,0:40:17.430 is another thing 0:40:18.117,0:40:23.550 that we sometimes get stuck in[br]and we dont' even know. 0:40:23.889,0:40:26.983 Because these comforts, 0:40:27.269,0:40:31.694 these belief systems we have, these ideas[br]we have, these perceptions we have 0:40:31.819,0:40:36.052 give us a sense of self-worth,[br]give us a sense of identity. 0:40:37.271,0:40:44.051 And if we let go of this identity,[br]if we let go of this sense of self-worth, 0:40:44.181,0:40:46.955 then, who are we? 0:40:47.694,0:40:51.225 That is the tendency to cling. 0:40:57.205,0:41:03.648 "Caught in one’s view and considering[br]all other views as inferior, 0:41:03.996,0:41:10.187 this attitude is considered by the wise as[br]bondage, as the absence of freedom. 0:41:11.200,0:41:17.269 A good practitioner is never too quick to[br]believe what is seen, heard, and sensed, 0:41:17.389,0:41:20.903 including rules and rites." 0:41:22.239,0:41:24.622 So, 0:41:25.163,0:41:28.864 the question that[br]we have to ask ourselves, 0:41:29.101,0:41:33.235 as Thay always reminded us is:[br]Are you sure? Am I sure? 0:41:33.356,0:41:36.516 Am I sure of my perception? 0:41:37.389,0:41:40.279 Am I sure of what I heard? 0:41:41.558,0:41:43.927 What I've seen? 0:41:45.390,0:41:48.116 What I sensed? 0:41:48.230,0:41:52.670 Now that is the season [br]or us to do Shining Light. 0:41:52.879,0:41:56.889 We are beginning Shining Light sessions [br]in the New Hamlet. 0:41:57.377,0:42:04.080 I think this is really relevant to us.[br]Am I sure about my perception? 0:42:04.190,0:42:08.035 Am I sure about what I have seen?[br]What I have heard? 0:42:10.904,0:42:13.836 So that we can come to - 0:42:14.701,0:42:20.006 So that we can let go of our ideas[br]and our perceptions, 0:42:20.485,0:42:24.315 so that we won't shine[br]too strongly on our sisters. 0:42:24.425,0:42:28.136 Because what we see,[br]what we hear could be just 0:42:29.529,0:42:32.130 our perception. 0:42:34.750,0:42:42.474 "A good practitioner abandons the notion[br]of self and the tendency to cling to views. 0:42:42.988,0:42:47.727 He is free and does not depend on[br]anything, even on knowledge. 0:42:47.888,0:42:54.450 He does not take sides in controversies[br]and does not hold on to any view or dogma." 0:43:00.931,0:43:03.325 I think I skipped one. 0:43:03.451,0:43:07.210 "A good practitioner has no need to set up[br]a new theory for the world, 0:43:07.752,0:43:13.035 using the knowledge he has picked up[br]or the rules and rites he is practicing. 0:43:13.154,0:43:19.238 He does not consider himself as “superior”[br]“inferior”, or ‘equal” to anyone." 0:43:20.872,0:43:25.534 And what I notice in myself 0:43:27.524,0:43:30.706 which means that[br]we are very much the same, 0:43:30.825,0:43:33.548 that it's something we all do, 0:43:33.654,0:43:39.406 that there is this tendency to form ideas[br]and opinions about everything, 0:43:40.227,0:43:44.646 about circumstances, about people, 0:43:44.747,0:43:48.598 that tendency goes unnoticed, 0:43:48.909,0:43:52.911 forming ideas, forming opinions 0:43:53.609,0:43:57.813 and they are truly[br]we are just forming perceptions 0:43:58.061,0:44:02.799 about circumstances, about people,[br]about ourselves. 0:44:03.442,0:44:05.632 So, 0:44:05.955,0:44:12.698 this discourse is a bell of mindfulness[br]to help us to see if we can really let go 0:44:13.238,0:44:19.179 of forming ideas and perceptions.[br]If we can just see things as they are, 0:44:19.296,0:44:26.079 without the need to[br]forming an opinion about it. 0:44:26.230,0:44:29.609 And this is a challenge. 0:44:32.026,0:44:35.773 It's a challenge to see and to hear 0:44:36.693,0:44:40.272 and to stay quiet about it in our head. 0:44:42.065,0:44:46.533 I think that is when we really need to[br]practice mindful breathing, 0:44:46.767,0:44:50.444 taking refuge in our breathe in a 100% 0:44:50.554,0:44:57.987 so that we can watch ourselves[br]and we can let go of this tendency 0:44:58.108,0:45:01.529 to form ideas and perceptions. 0:45:01.910,0:45:07.668 Most of the times, we form ideas[br]and perceptions and then we judge. 0:45:08.494,0:45:11.676 We judge others, good, bad. 0:45:11.811,0:45:18.672 This is a really good way[br]to also let go of judgments. 0:45:18.921,0:45:23.534 Judgments towards ourselves[br]and judgments towards other people. 0:45:27.885,0:45:31.720 "He does not seek for anything[br]or cling to anything, 0:45:31.855,0:45:35.225 either this extreme or the other extreme, 0:45:35.297,0:45:39.197 either in this world[br]or in the other world. 0:45:39.287,0:45:41.726 He has abandoned all views and 0:45:41.916,0:45:49.053 no longer has the need to seek for comfort[br]or refuge in any theory and ideology. 0:45:52.563,0:45:54.982 To the wise person, 0:45:55.153,0:46:00.141 there are no longer any views concerning[br]what is seen, heard, and sensed. 0:46:00.523,0:46:05.441 How could one judge or have an opinion[br]concerning such a pure being 0:46:05.549,0:46:08.163 who has let go of all views?" 0:46:08.499,0:46:15.420 So when we are able to let go[br]of our views, when we let go of clinging, 0:46:15.550,0:46:19.050 and forming these ideas and perceptions, 0:46:19.150,0:46:24.046 then we are not caught in this extreme[br]or the other extreme. 0:46:25.392,0:46:28.729 We are practicing the middle way, 0:46:29.673,0:46:37.196 which is being truly present[br]and not-attached to any ideas or notions. 0:46:40.291,0:46:45.169 And this is when we can experience nirvana[br]here and now. 0:46:52.241,0:46:56.799 A pure being who has let go of all views. 0:46:57.603,0:47:04.634 This is a being who is dwelling in nirvana[br]right here and right now. 0:47:05.333,0:47:08.269 And it could be us 0:47:08.913,0:47:11.595 if we are able to let go of these views. 0:47:12.089,0:47:16.809 Not forming new views,[br]and opinions, and perceptions 0:47:17.787,0:47:22.550 we can experience nirvana here and now,[br]we could be that pure being. 0:47:25.312,0:47:32.824 " A wise person no longer feels the need[br]to set up dogmas or choosing an ideology. 0:47:32.967,0:47:37.667 All dogmas and ideologies have been[br]abandoned by such a person. 0:47:38.005,0:47:42.165 A real noble one is never caught[br]in rules or rites. 0:47:43.110,0:47:47.754 He or she is advancing steadfastly[br]to the shore of liberation 0:47:47.993,0:47:52.312 and will never return[br]to the realm of bondage." 0:47:53.939,0:47:58.663 It is a very short discourse, 0:47:59.559,0:48:03.663 but they are like guidelines for us 0:48:05.152,0:48:11.356 to look at ourselves and to see[br]where we are caught, where we are stuck 0:48:14.278,0:48:16.631 and how to let go of it, 0:48:16.761,0:48:20.445 how to throw it out,[br]like brother Phap Dung said. 0:48:20.578,0:48:22.930 I loved this image of 0:48:23.037,0:48:26.510 throwing out those views and ideas. 0:48:26.890,0:48:30.773 Although it is not as simple as that. 0:48:35.756,0:48:39.385 But what I also found 0:48:41.044,0:48:46.052 for me to see where I am stuck 0:48:48.959,0:48:55.370 is the practice of deep listening[br]and loving speech. 0:48:55.497,0:48:58.307 And especially deep listening, 0:48:58.444,0:49:02.206 because I notice that sometimes[br]when I'm listening to other people 0:49:02.325,0:49:05.677 I'm not really listening deeply,[br]I'm not really there, 0:49:05.856,0:49:15.006 I'm in my head forming new ideas and ways[br]to respond to what is said. 0:49:16.885,0:49:22.042 I'm pretending I'm listening[br]but I'm not really listening. 0:49:22.332,0:49:26.516 And even though I'm not intentionally[br]pretending not to listen, 0:49:27.030,0:49:29.380 it's just - 0:49:29.812,0:49:33.228 I guess that is how our mind works, right? 0:49:33.360,0:49:36.904 It's not that we are intent to pretend 0:49:39.335,0:49:41.700 that we are listening, 0:49:41.837,0:49:46.158 it is just that is[br]how our minds works automatically. 0:49:46.274,0:49:48.836 It is habitual. 0:49:48.970,0:49:51.753 Mindfulness helps us to be a Buddha, 0:49:52.970,0:49:55.615 to really stay present 0:49:55.690,0:50:00.301 and to hear deeply without[br]forming ideas and opinions in our head, 0:50:00.667,0:50:03.979 so that we can really[br]hear between the lines. 0:50:04.113,0:50:09.313 And we can hear so much more,[br]when we can hear without forming ideas 0:50:09.491,0:50:13.168 and not preparing how to respond. 0:50:15.110,0:50:20.082 Then we can truly hear what is not said. 0:50:23.831,0:50:32.086 Living in a community, living in a sangha[br]is a really precious opportunity. 0:50:33.129,0:50:36.536 When we talk about[br]taking refuge in the sangha, 0:50:36.744,0:50:41.232 it's something that[br]I have reflected on all my life, 0:50:41.343,0:50:46.481 what does really taking[br]refuge in the sangha mean? 0:50:46.878,0:50:52.442 Surely I want to take refuge in her?[br]Or in her? Or in her? 0:50:53.549,0:50:55.811 You know? 0:50:57.807,0:51:00.602 Because sometimes I, I - 0:51:05.906,0:51:10.103 Sometimes, especially when I was younger, 0:51:10.968,0:51:15.752 I sort of doubted these people around me. 0:51:15.985,0:51:19.646 I doubted their love and I doubted their - 0:51:25.509,0:51:28.127 Their goodness. 0:51:28.593,0:51:30.812 It is like, you know, like 0:51:30.972,0:51:34.076 how do I really - [br]What does it really mean by taking refuge, 0:51:34.226,0:51:39.106 I do not want to take refuge in[br]these people around me like these. 0:51:39.656,0:51:42.668 What I realized was that 0:51:42.835,0:51:45.538 the sangha, even though[br]they are not perfect 0:51:45.639,0:51:48.935 like these people, like my sisters,[br]they are not perfect. 0:51:49.077,0:51:53.515 They have a lot of flaws,[br]I do have a lot of flaws. 0:51:54.133,0:51:58.912 But they are there, and they have[br]this deep desire to practice. 0:51:59.146,0:52:02.603 And that is what I have to take refuge in. 0:52:02.803,0:52:06.495 It's just their presence there,[br]practicing, 0:52:06.645,0:52:10.632 creates an environment[br]for me to practice. 0:52:11.919,0:52:17.582 And that is what I'm taking refuge in.[br]I'm not taking refuge in her, or in her, 0:52:17.931,0:52:22.966 I'm taking refuge[br]in the collective energy of practice 0:52:23.120,0:52:27.992 that everyone here[br]is creating and generating. 0:52:28.584,0:52:33.481 And that this is a really[br]good environment for me to be in, 0:52:35.567,0:52:37.979 to be motivated, 0:52:38.495,0:52:41.235 to practice. 0:52:41.428,0:52:43.455 And everyone 0:52:45.378,0:52:49.059 is really a reminder for me[br]to come back to my practice. 0:52:49.224,0:52:52.963 Each one of them is like[br]a bell of mindfulness for me 0:52:53.500,0:52:57.621 to help me come back to myself,[br]come back to the practice. 0:52:57.883,0:53:01.166 Because I'm not always very disciplined. 0:53:01.352,0:53:05.055 I cannot always do it myself 0:53:05.186,0:53:09.117 and I need the presence of everyone else 0:53:09.332,0:53:13.548 to help me, to remind me[br]to come back to myself. 0:53:13.939,0:53:17.509 But what I also realized 0:53:19.229,0:53:24.622 is that the presence of the sangha[br]helps me to see where I'm stuck, 0:53:24.776,0:53:27.574 where I am blocked, 0:53:27.740,0:53:31.636 where I tend to cling and attach. 0:53:36.802,0:53:42.815 And it happens in sharing, 0:53:43.927,0:53:47.577 but it happens a lot in meetings. 0:53:47.787,0:53:55.183 That is when I have a lot of opportunities[br]to see whether I'm stuck or not. 0:53:55.313,0:53:59.699 Whether I'm clinging on[br]to my views or not. 0:54:03.460,0:54:06.840 Here is my rule. 0:54:08.947,0:54:11.639 I look inside myself, 0:54:11.808,0:54:16.833 and if I see in my interaction[br]with my sister or in meetings or whatever, 0:54:19.002,0:54:27.390 if my heart is constricted, and tight,[br]then I know I'm attached to an idea. 0:54:28.364,0:54:35.265 I'm attached. I'm stuck in a perception.[br]I'm stuck in my belief system. 0:54:38.534,0:54:42.985 So if I feel constricted,[br]if I feel blocked in here, 0:54:43.110,0:54:45.722 if I feel discomfort inside, 0:54:45.892,0:54:48.509 then I know that is where I need to face, 0:54:48.641,0:54:51.770 know what I need to look into. 0:54:51.952,0:54:59.021 Because I'm probably stuck and clinging[br]to my views, and my perceptions 0:54:59.102,0:55:01.566 and my ideas. 0:55:01.740,0:55:04.836 So the presence of the sangha[br]helps enormously, 0:55:04.974,0:55:09.230 because they are there constantly[br]and they are challenging my ideas 0:55:09.408,0:55:12.713 and my perception all the time. 0:55:13.927,0:55:17.158 And every time it happens, 0:55:17.227,0:55:20.972 is an opportunity for me[br]to see where I am right now. 0:55:21.122,0:55:23.641 Whether I am rigid, 0:55:23.875,0:55:28.150 I am holding, or whether I am just opening 0:55:29.851,0:55:32.431 and let it in. 0:55:33.370,0:55:36.878 Letting it happen, let it in, accepting 0:55:37.994,0:55:45.126 whatever ideas that[br]are coming from other people. 0:55:52.475,0:55:55.471 So for me, 0:55:56.912,0:56:02.702 the practice is to come back to myself[br]and to feel that block inside. 0:56:06.804,0:56:08.937 And I, I - 0:56:13.292,0:56:16.599 I do it when I am in sitting meditation, 0:56:16.788,0:56:19.628 I just follow my breathing, I just go in 0:56:19.744,0:56:22.999 and I localize if I'm stuck[br]and blocked anywhere. 0:56:23.099,0:56:26.390 And I just breathe with that blockage. 0:56:26.500,0:56:29.561 But also, I can't sleep at night. 0:56:29.671,0:56:32.294 I can wake up in the middle of the night 0:56:32.460,0:56:35.914 and sometimes for two or three hours[br]and I couldn't go back to sleep. 0:56:36.080,0:56:40.676 And it is usually in the wee hours[br]of the night. 0:56:42.700,0:56:48.404 And I make use of that time[br]to do see if I'm stuck and blocked. 0:56:48.909,0:56:54.438 So instead of forcing myself[br]to go back to sleep, 0:56:54.918,0:56:59.189 or beating myself down[br]for not being able to sleep, 0:56:59.399,0:57:02.287 I just go back to my body, 0:57:02.524,0:57:08.701 I go through my body and I feel if[br]there is anything that feels uncomfortable 0:57:08.982,0:57:13.283 stuck and blocked, and I just[br]breathe with it. 0:57:13.772,0:57:18.364 And I found that sometimes[br]it takes an hour or even two 0:57:18.492,0:57:21.634 just to get this opening in that blockage, 0:57:21.804,0:57:25.437 because you can see that when your mind[br]from your present 0:57:25.556,0:57:28.668 breathes with that blockage, 0:57:28.808,0:57:31.406 then it sort of dissipates, it melts away. 0:57:31.517,0:57:34.584 And you hear this gurgling,[br]softening in the body, 0:57:34.713,0:57:37.047 like the circulation in the body. 0:57:37.417,0:57:41.010 And then there is openness in the body. 0:57:41.180,0:57:43.748 And when that happens, 0:57:43.896,0:57:47.200 it's not just melting away[br]this blockage in my body, 0:57:47.312,0:57:52.630 but I realize that it is also melting away[br]the blockage that I have in my mind, 0:57:52.772,0:57:57.391 because whatever I experience in my mind, 0:57:58.863,0:58:02.457 is manifesting in the body. 0:58:02.593,0:58:09.994 And helping that part in my body to melt[br]is also helping to melt the way, 0:58:10.153,0:58:13.106 the blockage that is in my mind. 0:58:13.297,0:58:17.470 So taking care of the body[br]is really taking care of the mind. 0:58:17.831,0:58:22.489 Transformation in the body[br]is also transformation in the mind. 0:58:23.231,0:58:29.050 But it's easier for me to work on my body,[br]because I can feel it, sense it. 0:58:36.143,0:58:40.444 One phenomena that I realized[br]that is happening inside 0:58:40.773,0:58:46.632 and I see happening around me[br]is what I call spiritual bypassing. 0:58:50.337,0:58:53.036 It is the way we think, 0:58:53.304,0:58:56.154 it is the way we look at things 0:58:56.399,0:59:00.532 that we sort of not going[br]through our difficulties and suffering, 0:59:00.671,0:59:03.910 we sort of go around it. 0:59:06.781,0:59:09.340 We think we have transformed 0:59:09.493,0:59:12.487 but actually we are just[br]avoiding the issues. 0:59:17.719,0:59:21.904 And I realized one of the practices,[br]it's a very precious practice, 0:59:22.002,0:59:25.871 but we can get stuck in it. 0:59:26.157,0:59:30.706 We can make use of it to bypass[br]the difficulties and suffering we have. 0:59:30.854,0:59:34.126 It is called "changing CDs".[br]You've heard of it? 0:59:34.197,0:59:36.839 Changing pegs? 0:59:36.975,0:59:40.446 That means that when we have[br]this enormous suffering 0:59:40.518,0:59:43.049 that is manifesting, 0:59:43.169,0:59:46.885 we don't have the clarity and[br]the mindfulness energy, the strength 0:59:47.035,0:59:51.911 in order to embrace it because[br]it would be too overwhelming for us, 0:59:52.980,0:59:58.391 it could be devastating to face[br]that suffering that is unfolding inside, 0:59:58.661,1:00:04.193 so the Buddha taught this practice[br]so that we can go, 1:00:04.632,1:00:09.074 instead of looking at this[br]enormous suffering that is manifesting 1:00:09.257,1:00:12.226 or that is threatening to come up, 1:00:12.326,1:00:16.328 we can go, we can practice walking, coming[br]in touch with the beauties around us, 1:00:16.494,1:00:21.073 the trees, the good qualities,[br]the positive things, 1:00:21.456,1:00:25.652 so that we can have enough strength, 1:00:26.105,1:00:32.938 enough clarity in order to go back[br]and face this block, this suffering. 1:00:33.377,1:00:37.177 But some of us have used it[br]to bypass his suffering. 1:00:37.316,1:00:40.448 We just do this all the time. 1:00:40.701,1:00:43.647 And the suffering stays the same 1:00:43.848,1:00:46.342 because we never really face it. 1:00:46.460,1:00:49.381 We never really go into it. 1:00:53.313,1:00:55.575 So, 1:00:56.994,1:00:59.355 The practice is- 1:00:59.445,1:01:02.237 Maybe at the beginning we need[br]this practice of changing CD, 1:01:02.423,1:01:06.007 but eventually[br]we need really to go inside, 1:01:06.156,1:01:12.716 we need really feel the rawness[br]of that suffering, the discomfort feeling 1:01:12.848,1:01:18.821 and energy, and the pain[br]of that suffering. 1:01:20.011,1:01:23.513 We need to really face it head on. 1:01:23.839,1:01:26.693 And the tools that we can use, 1:01:26.912,1:01:33.144 truly mindfulness, the breathing,[br]accepting it, 1:01:34.023,1:01:37.789 there is no need to struggle anymore,[br]there is no need no run away. 1:01:37.904,1:01:41.304 Spiritual bypassing is a skillful way 1:01:41.948,1:01:44.904 to run away. 1:01:45.162,1:01:47.887 For my self. 1:01:47.998,1:01:51.437 We need to go in. 1:01:56.308,1:01:58.231 (Bell) 1:02:01.581,1:02:07.764 (Bell) 1:02:22.489,1:02:25.121 So the way in 1:02:25.931,1:02:30.110 is the only way in order to transform, 1:02:30.660,1:02:33.063 in order to understand, 1:02:33.255,1:02:35.560 in order to heal ourselves. 1:02:52.362,1:02:56.864 The practice of Interbeing, 1:02:59.226,1:03:02.606 the practice of non-self, 1:03:04.642,1:03:12.168 interdependent arising, these are really[br]profound Buddhist insights, teachings. 1:03:17.201,1:03:25.045 But they are something we can experience,[br]we can practice in our daily life. 1:03:26.391,1:03:30.103 They are not something beyond our reach. 1:03:33.790,1:03:39.963 When we are able to have this insight[br]of interconnectedness, of interbeing, 1:03:45.226,1:03:48.476 then we can be really free. 1:03:48.686,1:03:53.569 Free from views and ideas.[br]We can be in the skin of other people, 1:03:53.984,1:03:57.180 we can be truly open. 1:04:01.930,1:04:05.072 And that is when we can really transform 1:04:05.243,1:04:08.824 the discrimination we have[br]inside our head. 1:04:14.313,1:04:17.594 These teachings can be practiced, 1:04:17.925,1:04:21.022 they can be experienced 1:04:21.175,1:04:23.405 when we are eating. 1:04:23.521,1:04:27.627 It is in something mundane as eating 1:04:29.038,1:04:33.378 that we can experience[br]these really profound teachings. 1:04:33.666,1:04:37.480 Or when we are urinating or defecating, 1:04:37.590,1:04:41.181 or when we breathe. 1:04:41.757,1:04:44.162 When we touch the Earth, 1:04:44.339,1:04:46.802 these are practices 1:04:48.364,1:04:50.686 that can help us 1:04:50.994,1:04:55.882 cultivate the insight of Interbeing,[br]of no-self. 1:04:57.576,1:05:02.394 And this is, when we have this experience,[br]this insight, 1:05:04.249,1:05:09.777 that we can really transform ideas,[br]and notions of separateness, 1:05:12.239,1:05:15.116 we can really transform 1:05:16.850,1:05:20.250 clinging and attachment. 1:05:27.576,1:05:31.842 And that really can be truly free. 1:05:36.506,1:05:44.005 So may you be free,[br]may you be free from wrong views, 1:05:45.332,1:05:48.942 wrong perceptions and wrong desires, 1:05:49.114,1:05:51.563 and may you have clarity 1:05:51.672,1:05:54.834 into your suffering, into yourself, 1:05:54.964,1:05:58.067 into your shortcomings,[br]and your weaknesses, 1:05:58.195,1:06:00.284 so that you can be an instrument, 1:06:02.961,1:06:09.507 an instrument to alleviate the suffering[br]in the world, in yourself, 1:06:10.738,1:06:13.919 in your families, and your society. 1:06:17.937,1:06:21.430 When we have this insight, 1:06:22.269,1:06:24.877 we know that the suffering 1:06:25.764,1:06:28.790 that is happening[br]on the other side of the globe 1:06:30.222,1:06:32.870 through war, 1:06:33.401,1:06:36.191 through human cruelty, 1:06:36.515,1:06:42.694 they are not just of these people over[br]there but they are ours too. 1:06:43.346,1:06:46.864 They are our suffering as well. 1:06:47.082,1:06:53.954 Even if this suffering had happened[br]20 years ago, 30 years ago, 40 years ago, 1:06:58.036,1:07:00.748 that we can do something right now 1:07:01.260,1:07:04.089 in this breath, in this step, 1:07:06.408,1:07:12.011 in order to change, in order[br]to bring peace to the people 1:07:13.098,1:07:16.006 that have died. 1:07:19.230,1:07:21.131 This is 1:07:21.802,1:07:25.194 we are not just practicing[br]this for ourselves. 1:07:25.374,1:07:31.045 So with the insight of interbeing we know[br]that our practice today 1:07:33.966,1:07:36.574 is not just for ourselves. 1:07:36.787,1:07:40.562 That we are doing it for those people[br]who had suffered 1:07:40.710,1:07:43.659 and who are suffering right now. 1:07:47.692,1:07:51.938 And that we need more people to wake up, 1:07:53.770,1:07:56.490 wake up to the fact that they are, 1:07:58.936,1:08:01.951 they are clinging, 1:08:02.270,1:08:04.956 so that they can let go. 1:08:05.066,1:08:08.693 It's only when they can let go[br]that they can be happy, can be free. 1:08:08.843,1:08:12.425 So when we are able to let go,[br]we can be happy and free. 1:08:12.537,1:08:16.238 And with our own transformation,[br]we can help other people to see 1:08:16.338,1:08:19.725 that they are clinging,[br]so that they can let go, 1:08:19.841,1:08:22.798 they can be happy and they can be free. 1:08:22.961,1:08:28.979 So our own awakening is helping[br]others to wake up as well. 1:08:30.044,1:08:38.372 Thank you for listening,[br]thank you for practicing to wake up 1:08:40.303,1:08:43.236 for yourselves and for humanity. 1:08:45.286,1:08:51.549 (Bell) 1:09:09.622,1:09:15.522 (Bell) 1:09:34.613,1:09:40.800 (Bell)