Via [GBF] A Talk from the Archive: Wes Nisker

A recording from the archive dating back 2 decades has just been added to the website: 

The 3 Marks of Existence and The Path of Meditation - Wes Nisker

DESCRIPTION:

The Buddha outlined the '3 Characteristics of Existence' as Impermanence, Unsatisfactoriness, and Non-Self (or anatta).
In this talk, Wes shares how these are foundational to the path of meditation.

Highlights include:

• The concept of “Radical Impermanence”
• The Tibetan appreciation for our precious existence as human beings.
• How non-self stems from the interdependence with everything,
• That our consciousness is the consciousness of the Universe.
• That human beings are the only creatures that can see ourselves in context.
• Mindfulness is a non-interfering awareness, a clear knowing.
• Freud's view that our personality can be viewed as a pet.

______________
Wes Nisker, the co-founder and editor of the international Buddhist journal Inquiring Minds, has practiced Vipassana meditation for 30 years. He is the author of "Buddha's Nature: Evolution as a Guide to Enlightenment," "Crazy Wisdom: A Romp Through the Philosophies of East and West," and "The Buddha, the Big Bang, and the Baby Boom: The Spiritual Experiments of My Generation."

In addition to leading a regular sitting group in Berkeley, he teaches classes in meditation and philosophy at Spirit Rock and at other locations around the country.
Learn more at https://wesnisker.com/

Via Daily Dharma: Directing Your Effort

The effort isn’t in trying to stop the mind but in paying attention in a receptive way to what’s actually happening. 

Mark Van Buren, “Accept Whatever the Mind Is Doing”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Effort: Restraining Unarisen Unhealthy States

 

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RIGHT EFFORT Restraining Unarisen Unhealthy States Whatever a person frequently thinks and ponders, that will become the inclination of their mind. If one frequently thinks about and ponders unhealthy states, one has abandoned healthy states to cultivate unhealthy states, and then one’s mind inclines to unhealthy states. (MN 19) Here a person rouses the will, makes an effort, stirs up energy, exerts the mind, and strives to restrain the arising of unarisen unhealthy mental states. One restrains the arising of the unarisen hindrance of restlessness. (MN 141)

Reflection It should not surprise us to hear that a person gradually becomes what they practice being. If you complain a lot about all the things you are discontented with, you will become a more discontented person and more inclined to further discontent. This works in a positive direction also, allowing us to develop healthy mental habits, but this passage focuses on protecting ourselves from our own toxic qualities of mind. Daily Practice This passage begins the process of walking us through the five hindrances, qualities of mind that inhibit mental clarity and contribute to suffering. The first of these is restlessness, a quality of mind that is active in some moments and dormant in others. Here we are told to practice the states of mind, primarily calm and tranquility, that prevent restlessness from arising. A calm mind is a healthy mind; practice calming the mind often. Tomorrow: Establishing Mindfulness of Body and Abiding in the First Jhāna One week from today: Abandoning Arisen Unhealthy States Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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