This week Lama Surya Das explores the state of flow known as the middle way, the way to peace and liberation in this very life.
Show Notes
Life in Flow (Opening) – There is a Buddhist saying that, ”There is Nirvanic peace in things left just as they are.” Lama Surya Das explores the philosophy of the middle way and the idea of existing in a state that is not resisting or pulling towards desire but in constant flow. From this state of flow, we are able to rest in naked awareness.
“There is nirvanic peace in leaving things as they are. Leaving it as is, resting the weary heart and mind; letting go; letting come and go; letting be; flowing; not static; one with everything; not separate; not resisting or pushing away; not pulling towards desire or attachment either. [You’re] just flowing with it, dancing with it; the middle way.”
The Sacred Pause (15:20) – We explore how returning to the state of flow with mindfulness practice creates space between a stimulus and our response to it. An act which allows us to choose how, when and if to respond and not just blindly react.
“In the book Radical Acceptance, by Tara Brach, Tara talks a lot about the sacred pause, creating a pause between stimulus and whatever arises, outer or inner. Its not what happens to us, but what we make of it that makes all the difference.”
Check out this article on ways to integrate mindfulness practice into your day on the Awakened Heart Blog: Mindfulness as a Daily Habit
Guidance Along the Path (23:10) – Surya Das opens the floor to questions from his live audience, first exploring the subtle differences between the terms mindfulness and awareness in Buddhist practice. He offers context for how the terms have been translated and explains the distinction in nomenclature between various traditions.
Direction is offered to a student who is struggling to develop her practice and cultivate equanimity, a problem most of us run into at some point along our journey of awakening.
“In 1971, I went to my first 10-day vipassana course and have meditated every day since. But, I still have good days and bad days, sometimes I can’t find my breath to concentrate on. In general, you have a spiritual practice year-round, you keep going and questing and going deeper into what works for you.”
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