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Dear Still Water Friends,
This Thursday evening we will continue our exploration of the six
paramitas, the six ways of practicing that assist us in moving from
suffering to joy.
The fifth paramita is meditation (dhyana in Sanskrit, jhana in Pali jhana, chan in Chinese, and zen
in Japanese). In is the capacity of being completely present
with what is. When we are really able to do it, our ordinary
consciousness is transformed. There is no longer a separation
between perceiver and perceived. Li Po, an eighth century Chinese poet,
explains:
The birds have vanished into the sky,
and now the last cloud drains away.
We sit together, the mountain and me,
until only the mountain remains.
Many of us have had moments like this: perhaps while communing with
nature, in a meditation hall, or when holding a loved one. In a sense,
mindfulness practice is a way of developing this "dhyana" consciousness
so that our daily lived experience shift more in the direction of
connectedness and wholeness.
The tradition of mindfulness practice tells us, also, that the
energy of dhyana nourishes and is nourished by the
other paramitas: dana (generosity), shila (morality), ksanti
(inclusiveness), virya (joyful diligence) and prajna (wisdom).
After our meditation period, I would like to begin our discussion
by having each of us focus on our aspirations and our actions:
How important is it to me that the energy of dhyana is present in my life?
Are my daily choices and actions in accord with my aspirations?
You are invited to consider these questions, whether or not you will be able to join with us this Thursday.
Below is an related excerpt on dhyana from The Energy of Prayer by Thich Nhat Hanh.
Warm wishes,
Mitchell Ratner
Senior Teacher
On Meditation from The Energy of Prayer by Thich Nhat Hanh
Meditation (called dhyana in Sanskrit and zen
in Japanese) is the marrow of Buddhist practice. The aim of meditation
is to help the practitioner arrive at a deep understanding of reality.
This insight has the capacity to liberate us from fear, anxiety, and
melancholy. It can produce understanding and compassion, raise the
duality of life. and bring freedom, peace, and joy to ourselves and to
others around us.
. . .
Sitting meditation is the most common kind of meditation, but we can
also practice meditation in other positions, such as walking, standing,
and lying down. When we wash clothes, chop wood, water the vegetables,
or drive the car--wherever we are, whatever we are doing, in whatever
position our body happens to be, if the energies or' mindfulness,
concentration, and insight are present in our mind and body, then we
are practicing meditation. We do not have to go to a temple, a church,
or a meditation center to practice meditation. Living in society, going
to work every day, looking after our family, are also opportunities for
us to practice meditation. Meditation has the effect of nourishing and
healing, body and mind. And it brings the joy of living back to the
practitioner and to those in her life.