This Monday December 5, we will meet in person.
See calendar for online and in person schedule here.
Address for the OHMC meditation space:
3812 Northampton St. NW
Washington DC 20015
This Monday evening Camille will facilitate.
Our sangha explored the 2nd mindfulness training last week - True Happiness. Marie shared the difficulty in holding happiness within us when there is so much suffering in the world. And she questioned if it is possible to hold both at the same time.
I also find this very challenging and as we meet in person on Monday night, I would like to continue to explore this topic a bit more with the help of a video of Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay) (see below).
In his book "Being Peace", Thich Nhat Hanh says "Life is filled with suffering, but it is also filled with many wonders, such as the blue sky, the sunshine, and the eyes of a baby. To suffer is not enough. We must also be in touch with the wonders of life. They are within us around us, everywhere, anytime." We have seeds in us for everything, the seeds of sorrow and suffering and the seeds of happiness. When I feel hurt or wounded by a friend or family member - I can also remember that I have seeds of happiness and can take care of my suffering and then help take care of their suffering. Most likely they have not meant to hurt me and I in turn don't want to hurt them.
In the video below - Thay says "without suffering there can be no happiness. Without the mud there can be no lotus, suffering is the ingredient that is essential to have understanding and love."
My spouse has suffered greatly in the last couple years. For quite a while I took his pain personally, and I felt blamed. His suffering often spilled over onto me and I found it difficult to find understanding and compassion. I found it quite challenging and it has taken me a while to understand that he wasn't trying to hurt me - but that he really didn't know how to take care of himself, and that my time could be better spent by helping take better care of myself and then help him by generating more joy, love, and happiness. As Thay says - with love "we can make good use of suffering to create happiness and then suffer less." And if we are happy that happiness will radiate out to all.
I hope you enjoy the video below on "Understanding Pain is the beginning of Happiness." We will show a portion of it on Monday night and then have a chance to discuss this idea and our lives and practices.
Below are some questions you may wish to consider (including one from last week):
-What is your experience with holding happiness and suffering at the same time?
-How has your suffering helped or hindered you to be a better listener?
-How has the suffering of others allowed you to find more compassion?
I look forward to seeing you in person on Monday evening.
In Light and Love,
Camille