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Greetings!
Dharma Study is back this week, Friday, July 17, with the Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche's teaching on Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness. Next up is the skandha of mental formations.
If anyone misses because of the PBC retreat or any other reason, we'll have a make-up night on Monday. Just email me if you want to come so I know what to expect. If Monday doesn't work for you, I'd be happy to arrange for a time that works with your schedule. Retreating is important, so I want to make sure you're supported!
Friday is Dakini Day. Dakinis are distinguished by their extraordinary realization of emptiness, our very topic of study. Why else would they be able to dance in the sky? Gravity has no power over them! We won't have a formal practice, but if anyone would like to bring food to share to celebrate the occasion, we'll dedicate it to the dakini principle.
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Buddha's Discourse on Not-Self: The Anattalakkha Sutta
Excerpt below:
'So there you have it, bhikkhus. Whatever form may have existed in the past; whatever form may come to exist in the future; whatever form exists right now, whether internal or external, obvious or subtle, gross or spiritual, immediate or dispersed - if you regard that form with proper understanding, face up to the reality of the situation, you must see 'This is not mine; this is not what I am; this is not my self.'
'In the same way, bhikkhus, you must regard feeling, perception, mental formations, consciousness. Whatever of this nature existed in the past, whatever will exist in the future, whatever exists right now, whether internal or external, whether obvious or subtle, whether gross or spiritual, whether immediate or diffuse, all that must be regarded thus: 'This is all not mine; this is none of what I am; nothing of this is my self.'
'Bhikkhus, the ennobled student who has received this instruction, seen things in this way, becomes weary of form, becomes weary of feeling, of perception, of mental formations, of consciousness. Grown weary of all that, he loses interest in it. Losing interest, he becomes dispassionate. And when his passion dissipates, he becomes free. Finally free, he awakens to the knowledge: Freedom!. He knows, 'what came to be is now gone; the holy life has been lived; what had to be done is done; I'm not going through this again."
That is what the Buddha said. And the bhikkhus were delighted to hear it. Moreover, as the Fortunate One gave this discourse, the minds of all five bhikkhus were freed of defilement; they lost their attachment to their delusory views.
And there were then six enlightened beings in the world.
Read an intro Wiki to Mental Formations, called Sankhara in Sanskrit
Download a pdf teaching by Lama Lhundrup on the 51 Mental
Formations
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Dakini Lunch
I hear that dakinis are wanting to gather, so please join us this Saturday at noon.
Email me for the place so I know who's coming. Dakas welcome!
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Tony Stanley, father of Nickie Stanley's father
Nickie and her family are honoring her father's wish to die at home, and he and her mother have moved into Nickie's home for this bardo. Her mother is also recovering from a fall. Please remember all of them in your prayers. If you'd like to be on hand to provide meals if needed, please email me.
Nickie writes, "We have had enough lucid moments to finish our life business and say our goodbyes. Now we just smile, chat, and comfort him. He is ready to pass and we support him in his journey. The hospice and the nurses have been extrordinary."
Email Nicki
Henry Joel Churchwell, father of Joel Churchwell
Sean Horenstein wrote today, "Joel's dad passed away last night, pretty unexpectedly. He'd been suffering some chest pain and general uneasiness during the week. He was taken to the hospital and examined--couldn't find anything wrong. At about 2:30 AM Joel's mom woke up to use the restroom and realized that he wasn't moving and couldn't be woken up. He had already died.
"Joel is ok, a little shaken up, but ok. Their family works extremely quickly with funeral arrangements; he'll be buried Saturday. Please keep Joel and his family in your prayers. Joel's mom's name is Joan (pronounced 'Jo Anne.')"
Email Sean
William Orsinger, Father of Janet McIntyre
Janet wrote on July 11, "My father passed on today. May all who knew him remember him in your prayers, and when you plant a seed, enjoy a flower or tree, take a photo, share food with family and friends, learn about your ancestors or discover something new you share with delight with some one else, and love someone deeply, you will be enjoying some of what he found and treasured most in this life."
Email Janet
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Let's wake up!
With love,
Rita Frizzell
Luminous Mind
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