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Greetings!

Well, here we go again... a big winter storm is predicted for this Friday night. So what's the plan?

If weather is good enough, we'll go ahead and have Dharma Study from 7:00 to 9:00, introducing the practice of Releasing Emotional Reactions through Bare Attention.

But fair weather isn't likely. They're predicting freezing rain, sleet, and possibly two inches of snow. And I live on a hill. So if the weather is iffy at all, please stay home and stay safe. For those who can walk or who want to risk it, we'll have meditation from 7:00 to 8:00 instead and return to our normal dharma study next week.

Feel free to call if you want to confirm the plan.

Location: Home of Rita Frizzell in the Belmont/Hillsboro neighborhood, 1716A Linden Avenue, Nashville, TN 37212. 615-463-2374. Click here for map.

...............................

By the way, the Afternoon with Mike Snider was delightful.
With 18 in attendance (and room for more), we were all completely engaged in Mike's sharing. There were lots of questions, and Mike deftly handled them all without skpping a beat. For those who are familiar with Vajrayana (tantric Buddhism), this was an excellent example of what is known as "pure view" in action, in my opinion. I think I can safely say we all felt very fortunate to be there. Mike was so generous with his time, then he wouldn't accept a love offering, so it goes into the kitty toward bringing in future teachers.

I sent Mike a thank-you note and he responded back, "I had a real fine time at your place with your group. It felt good to be there and to be able to share this boundless heart effulgence with you and yours."

Ahhhhhhhhhh.
Releasing Emotional Reactions
Series by Ken McLeod


Ken McLeod If you missed the first session of Releasing Emotional Reactions:
Last week's transcript is up on the blog.
You can listen to the first podcast by clicking here.
 

We're starting the new year with a new series "Releasing Emotional Reactions," an audio retreat with Ken McLeod. Ken was certified to teach by HH Kalu Rinpoche, having completed two three-year retreats under his guidance. He brings a fresh point of view to working with immediate experience, integrating methods from all the major traditions of Buddhism.

He will lead us step-by-step through three methods:
  • Releasing through bare attention
  • Releasing through taking and sending
  • Releasing through direct awareness
This series helps us find the stillness within, no matter what is happening in the foreground of our lives. I highly recommend this series for learning to practice presence.

For a weekly synopsis, click here.
Schedule

Friday,
Jan.29, 7:00 Weather Watch
Friday, Feb. 5, 7:00-9:00 Releasing Emotional Reactions
Friday, Feb. 12, 7:00-9:00 Releasing Emotional Reactions

Friday, Feb. 19, 7:00-8:00 Meditation led by Gerald Smith

Friday, Feb. 26, 7:00-9:00 Releasing Emotional Reaction
Quote of the Week

Calling the Lama from Afar
by H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche

The primordial ground of one's own awareness is unchanging and unmoving.
Whatever arises, as the expression of the dharmakaya, is neither good nor bad.
Since awareness of nowness is actually the Buddha
The completely free, serene lama is revealed in one's innermost heart.

When this original mind is realized as the very nature of the lama,
There is no need for whining, contrived prayers made with grasping and attachment.
By letting go in the free natural flow of uncontrived awareness,
Not holding whatever arises, the blessings of self-liberation are obtained.
Through fabricated practice there is no time to achieve enlightenment.
This meditation produced through mental analysis and intellect is a deceiving enemy.

Now, conceptualization falls apart with the abandon of a madman.
Let this life be spent in a state of uninhibited naked ease!
Whatever one does, joyful; practitioner of the great perfection!
In any company, happy; lineage holder of the Lotus Born!
Protector without rival; great treasure-revealing lama!
Teachings beyond compare; heart-essence of the dakinis!

Having dispelled the heart's darkness, great ignorance, in its own place,
The undiminished sun of luminous clarity shines continuously.
This good fortune is the kindness of the lama, the only father.
Unrepayable kindness! Only remember the lama!

- From the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism
Let's wake up!

With love,

Rita Frizzell
Luminous Mind

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