This week's suggested topic of consideration:

Dear friends on the Path,

In your life you have acquired ways of speaking, thinking, and acting. You have ways of brushing your teeth, balancing your checkbook, driving to places you regularly go to, evaluating people, responding to situations, and the myriad of other activities that are part of your life. How attached are you to those habits? If someone questions why you think this way or do something a certain way, how do you respond? Worse yet, how do you respond if someone has the nerve to suggest changing your behavior?

Last week we recited the first three of the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings (see text below). This week we’ll explore how to apply those trainings to our thoughts, actions, and speech. The primary message of those 1st 3 Trainings is non-attachment, letting go. Non-attachment in the sense that in our thinking we are not bound to any doctrine, theory, ideology, view, or wrong perception. And just as importantly, in our speech and actions we are committed to respecting the right of others to be different, to choose what to believe and how to decide.

These acts of non-attachment are not an expression of indifference. They are just the opposite. They show true love. 

Our teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh, explains “without these non-attachments our love tends to become possessive – a stomping ground of the ego. We try to put our beloved in our pocket and carry them with us when they are more like the wind, or a butterfly, or a stream, needing to move and flow, or risk dying. This is not love, this is destruction. A non-attached relationship is healthy, strong and filled with effortless love, kindness, and compassion.”

This week we suggest that you use the exploration mentioned above as your focus during meditation, contemplation, and that you practice heartfelt sharing of your thoughts and insightful. 

Resources you may find helpful in your exploration of the topic of non-attachment:

The Opposite of Attachment Is Intimacy | Lion’s Roar

Thich Nhat Hanh On The Art Of Letting Go

Not bound to doctrines, theories, etc.,

David

notice notes:

As always, our wish is for you to find a refuge where you may safely meditate on the teachings suggested above. Keep in mind you may share your thoughts, comments, questions, concerns, or suggestions regarding the benefits and difficulties of implementing those teachings into your daily lives by responding to this email, or texting/phoning (971) 218-6641. Your communications in response to the practice suggestions made above or your practice in general are very important. Since we aren't gathering together, your responses make meaningful dialog and real understanding of the teachings more attainable.

It is only with an open mind, an open heart, and expression of your thoughts and concerns that true happiness and harmony may be achieved and maintained in your life. Your continued curiosity about and enthusiasm for the Practice is of utmost importance.

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The First Mindfulness Training: Openness

Aware of the suffering created by fanaticism and intolerance, we are determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. We are committed to seeing the Buddhist teachings as a guiding means that help us learn to look deeply and develop understanding and compassion. They are not doctrines to fight, kill, or die for. We understand that fanaticism in its many forms is the result of perceiving things in a dualistic or discriminative manner. We will train ourselves to look at everything with openness and the insight of interbeing in order to transform dogmatism and violence in ourselves and the world.

The Second Mindfulness Training: Non-Attachment to Views

Aware of the suffering created by attachment to views and wrong perceptions, we are determined to avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views. We are committed to learning and practicing non-attachment to views and being open to others’ experiences and insights in order to benefit from the collective wisdom. We are aware that the knowledge we presently possess is not changeless, absolute truth. Insight is revealed through the practice of compassionate listening, deep looking, and letting go of notions rather than through the accumulation of intellectual knowledge. Truth is found in life, and we will observe life within and around us in every moment, ready to learn throughout our lives.

The Third Mindfulness Training: Freedom of Thought

Aware of the suffering brought about when we impose our views on others, we are determined not to force others, even our children, by any means whatsoever — such as authority, threat, money, propaganda, or indoctrination — to adopt our views. We are committed to respecting the right of others to be different, to choose what to believe and how to decide. We will, however, learn to help others let go of and transform fanaticism and narrowness through loving speech and compassionate dialogue.