The truth of suffering is not meant to encourage us to wallow in our afflictions, but it does not let us try to escape them through some kind of denial. The first noble truth is a starting point. Only when the suffering is acknowledged can the healing begin. Look at some aspect of your own suffering with courage and without fear and decide that you can and will undertake a path to heal the pain by understanding it and letting it go.
My wife and I went to see a production of the ballet, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Our friend’s daughter danced the leading role and she looked like a professional. I was very moved by the performance as a whole. Today, however, has been as sad day for me. I woke up fee …
This is a friendly reminder, if you’re able to and would like to join, for tomorrow night’s Mindfulness In Healing sangha. I’m thinking of the following schedule tomorrow night:
7:00:7:05 – Welcome practice and check in
7:05:7:25 – Meditation
7:25:8:00 – Teaching and sharing; topic: Consciousness
Here is a reminder for tonight at 7:00-8:00 PM.
Jerome Freedman is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Mindfulness in Healing Sangha with Jerome Freedman
Time: May 18, 202207:00-08:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada),
“It has been said that the Buddha of the future is not an individual but a community. If so, it is certainly a community of people practicing to live in the present, transform their own suffering, and help awaken others. It is a community of people who care about each other. Letting their own light shine, and being a light unto themselves, they also make light for the rest of the world.”
This morning we went to Laure’s Bat Mitzvah. Like her sister years ahead of her, the job she did was extremely excellent! I was moved by every aspect of the service. It was not a coincidence that the Bat Mitzvah was the first Shabbos after my biopsy report. This gave the rabbi th …
This morning, I slept until 9:00 A. M., which is very unusual for me. I needed the rest and felt all right about canceling my tennis date. Getting up so late almost made me late for Leslie Davenport’s group. The hot weather kept the group quite small. When I shared about being fr …
As we begin to practice mindfulness of breathing, we often see ourselves, initially, as the breather, apart and separate from the breath itself. The direction and development of the practice is eventually to bridge this separation until our attention is absorbed fully into the breath. The breath breathes itself, and we experience a place of deep calmness, concentration, and ease.
– Christina Feldman, “Receiving the Breath: Meditation Q & A “
I went to Cancerport this morning to share my good news and everyone was thrilled. Many people came up to me and told me that they were inspired by my success. Just about everyone wanted me to speak first, and I did. Naturally, I took the opportunity to share how important it was …
I plan to spend most of the day working in bed today, as I really felt weak yesterday. I don’t have any appointment I need to rush off to, but I am going to try some stretching exercises. I spoke with Dr. Neuwirth today and found out for sure that the little 3 mm specimen was co …
“What are those little things we can do to increase our happiness? They won’t surprise you anymore than “eat less and exercise more” does. The main things are to commit to simple behaviors””meditating, exercising, getting enough sleep””and to practice altruism. One of the most selfish things you can do is help others. Volunteer at a homeless shelter. You may or may not help the homeless, but you will almost surely help yourself. And nurture your social connections. Twice a week, write down three things you’re grateful for, and tell someone why. I know these sound like homilies from your grandmother. Well, your grandmother was smart. The secret of happiness is like the secret of weight loss: It’s not a secret.”
– Daniel Gilbert, “The Science Behind the Smile” Harvard Business Review
Today, I very nervous. I am supposed to have the catheter removed and receive the results of the biopsy this morning. I even spilled the catheter bag! I only have to wait another hour though. Back from the surgeon! The preliminary biopsy report was NEGATIVE! Breathing in, Breathi …
It is helpful to start your meditation with a reflection on what matters to you. Some meditation students bring to mind an all-encompassing aspiration, while others focus on a particular intention for the sitting or the day. When you begin by asking your heart what matters, you are already on the path to presence.
On my 56th birthday on October 8, 1995, my wife had just completed orthoscopic hip surgery six days earlier. As a result, she was not able to make much of a birthday celebration for me. In addition, my son’s mother showed up just about dinner time with my son, so she wound up sta …
Imagine our whole species as one enormous brain, each person a single neuron. Every time you make a new connection with something you’ve never seen before, the entire brain (humanity as a whole) gains an insight or a creative idea. Who knows, maybe you’re the only possible link between someone or something that desperately needs mending and the forces that are desperately trying to mend it. Maybe your going on an adventure, with its host of unpredictable misadventures, is the only way to activate the link.
– Martha Beck, Finding Your Way in a Wild New World
Today I woke up with a headache and a sore throat. The sore throat is probably a result of the breathing apparatus during the surgery, but I can’t explain the headache. I plan to spend much of the day in bed, watching the German Open Tennis matches. The phone has not stopped ring …
This is a friendly reminder, if you’re able to and would like to join, for tomorrow night’s Mindfulness In Healing sangha. I’m thinking of the following schedule tomorrow night:
7:00:7:05 – Welcome practice and check in
7:05:7:25 – Meditation
7:25:8:00 – Teaching and sharing; topic: Mental Formations
Here is a reminder for tonight at 7:00-8:00 PM.
Jerome Freedman is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Mindfulness in Healing Sangha with Jerome Freedman
Time: May 11, 202207:00-08:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada),
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