Weekly Notice

Next Suggested topic for consideration: The Corrective Lenses of Mindfulness

Dear friends on the Path,

For one reason or another, many of us have trouble receiving an accurate representation of something we receive from our sense organs.  If it is a visual image that is out of focus, it could be because you are far-sighted or nearsighted.  If it is a sound that is out of focus, it could be because your ears are not transmitting intelligible sounds to your brain.  Indeed, every one of your sense organs may not be sending accurate information to your brain.

For some of your sense organs there are devices available to may help correct the distortion or malfunction.

When the distortion or malfunction is caused by the perceptions and mental formations in your consciousness, what are you to do?

Fortunately, there are devices that help correct those malfunctions also.  But those distortions and malfunctions require something very strong to make the corrections, make the images reflect reality.  In fact, your incorrect perceptions and mental formations are so well established and firmly implanted in your consciousness, you may need more than a single lens to make the correction.  There are devices created just to help in this circumstance.  They have been in existence for thousands of years and evaluated by scientists within the last 50 or 60 years for effectiveness.  Those devices are The Four Foundations of Mindfulness, The Four Immeasurable Qualities, and The Five Mindfulness Trainings.

All three of these powerful devices (lenses) may help to reduce the effect your perceptions and mental formations have on all that is encountered in your life.  This happens when you use the non-judgmental awareness in the present moment with curiosity and open acceptance (i.e., mindfulness) that is cultivated by these tools.

In one way or another you use The Four Foundations of Mindfulness and The Four Immeasurable Qualities every time you contemplate the topics suggested.  And at the beginning of each month it is suggested that you recite, review, and contemplate the 3^rd of these mindfulness tools, The Five Mindfulness Trainings. 

Links to publications about each of those powerful corrective lenses are below for your convenience and use:

https://mindworks.org/blog/four-foundations-of-mindfulness/

https://www.lionsroar.com/buddhism/four-divine-abodes-brahmaviharas/

The Five Mindfulness Trainings | Plum Village

It is hoped you will mindfully contemplate and meditate this coming week.

Wishing you an undistorted message from your sense organs,

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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