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OCTOBER, 2011
Greetings! "Like a child at play," Lama Marut has told us. Running, laughing, shrieking until they can barely breathe, children will collapse from play that's left them physically tired and emotionally blissful. Getting lost in the joy of your actions can turn effort into effortless.
Welcome to the October issue of Exploring the Path. Our theme this month is Joyful Effort, the fourth of the six perfections.
Plain old laborious effort, effort for effort' s sake, wears us down. Joyful effort for the sake of others rejuvenates us, refocuses us on the benefits of our actions. Yet it's wise to know our own limitations. Serve, but only to the extent you can do it with joy.
A big thank you to all of our contributors, including our summer retreatants who here share their insight. We would like to especially thank Lama Marut, our Spiritual Director, for writing our Spiritual Matters Column this month. When we think, "joyful effort," we think, "Lama Marut!"
With love,
Anne Meyer
Stacey Fisher
Roy Toulan
Barbara Simundza
Stephanie Hobart
Technical note: The navigation links do not always work in Firefox, but do work in other browsers.
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SPIRITUAL MATTERS
GETTING THE "OOMPH" BEHIND THE "TRY"
We all are desirous of the rewards of a spiritual life - a deep sense of
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Lama Marut
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well-being and contentment; pleasant and meaningful interactions with others; the end of alienation and aloneness, replaced by the feeling of interconnectedness and "at oneness" with the things and beings around us; and the full realization of our true purpose and calling.
But these important life goals won't be reached just by wishing for them. We need to mobilize ourselves into action. We have to try, and it's the "oomph" that accompanies the "try" that brings the "triumph."
It can be argued that in the scheme of the Six Perfections - the virtues that guide the conduct of someone trying to live a saintly life - it is the fourth one, virya or "joyful effort," which is the most important. Why would this be? Why would virya be more important than generosity, ethical living, patience, meditative concentration, or wisdom? Because it is the motivating force behind the other five:
Once you have practiced patience, begin
Your practice of effort, for enlightenment lies
In making these kinds of effort.
Without a breeze they never flicker,
And just so in the absence of effort
Merit can never occur.
(Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life 7.1)
No effort, no gain - just like in any other endeavor. It takes hard work to achieve anything worthwhile, let alone the highest goals of one's life.
Having understood the importance and purpose of virya, we next need to know what it is. Our text goes on to provide a definition: "What is effort? It is joy in doing good." (Guide 7.2a)
This is crucial. The effort we are talking about here isn't the "grit your teeth" variety we often employ in order to muscle through difficult tasks. It must be joyful, not done dourly or out of some puritanical sense of obligation. We should be happily engaged those activities and practices that are designed to bring us what we really want out of life. If it's not done cheerfully, it ain't virya.
And the Guide also notes that virya is specifically effort applied to "doing good." While most of us are already familiar with hard work - we labor mightily for our degrees and certificates, our jobs and families, even for our hobbies and pastimes - virya is bringing that same energy to our spiritual life: to our meditation and yoga, to getting through our ACI courses and other studies, to monitoring our morality, and to the hard work of cultivating patience, forgiveness, generosity, and other virtues.
So why aren't we bringing the full version of this powerful and joyful energy to our spiritual lives? What's holding us back from really going for it, from the bringing the "oomph" that will make our "try" into "triumph?" Again, from Master Shantideva:
Here I will explain the things
That work against it: these are
Laziness, an attraction to what is bad,
And the feeling of being discouraged - belittling yourself.
(Guide 7.2b)
Laziness comes in two forms: just not feeling like it (that inertia that blocks us from getting off our behinds and doing what we know we should) and staying so busy with other things (our jobs, relationships, or recreation) that we just don't get around to it. Getting one's priorities in order and recognizing that life is short and time is running out will help overcome this first obstacle.
The second block to virya is attraction to what is bad - to habitual patterns of behavior that not only dissipate our energy but redirect it into activities that will not bring us true happiness. This includes excessive partying, endlessly texting or phoning our friends, mindlessly blogging, surfing the internet, watching TV, playing computer games, and other typical diversions of our age.
Finally, we can be hindered in putting our full (and joyful) effort into our spiritual lives by low self-esteem. Depression is at epidemic levels in our society and many of us are susceptible to this debilitating obstacle. If your practice is being held back by this particular fetter, try generating some strong bodhicitta, which means (a) remembering the whole purpose of your life is to reach the "Awakening" and true happiness we are capable of, so (b) you can help others do the same.
The best way to motivate yourself to do what you know you should is to think about others and their suffering. If we can engender a strong feeling of empathy and compassion - as well as the sense of responsibility to do something about it - it will help us get up off our derrieres and do what we need to do.
Do it for others. Joyfully. And then you'll be doing the best thing you can do for yourself.
- Lama Marut
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Enthusiastic effort praised by all Buddhas is transcendent. It removes all suffering and is the basis for completely ending bad rebirths, so cultivate it continuously. - Buddha |
TAKING IT TO THE STREET
Open the Door to Joyful Effort: An Interview with Sharon Muddiman
ETP: Tell us about your work at The Open Door.
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Open Door Volunteers September 2011
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SM: I am a regular volunteer at The Open Door's Community Meal service. Free meals are offered to anyone who is hungry or lonely, every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday (5:00 PM) and Sunday (4:00 PM). This past summer, I was there just about every day they've needed someone, which was 3-5 times a week.
Individual volunteers and groups sponsor and offer the meals. This involves food prep, serving the meal, and cleaning up. Some groups do meals once a week, some once a month, some every three months, or at holiday times. When there is no group, The Open Door sponsors the meal through grants and through proceeds at their thrift shop, Second Glance. ACI-Cape Ann offers a meal once a month.
ETP: What is it like to volunteer there?
At the Open Door, joy is in the air. It's a really neat place to be. It's very powerful just to be there in the presence of the manager of the kitchen Ken Taber. Ken is a very spiritual guy. He has practiced Buddhism, and has explored a lot of spiritual things. He gets into a meditative trance when he's working, you can feel it. He is so on target, he is so mindful of things, very calming. Things can be chaos in the kitchen for a while. Then it comes down and everything in the dining room gets calm too. He has a presence of calmness.
When I'm preparing the food, maybe chopping, I do a prayer-whatever comes into my head. I might say, "Nourish this food, nourish the people, may all beings be happy, may all beings be well, may all beings be nourished, may all beings have joy, may all beings be at ease, may all beings be at peace..." That is usually what I am saying to myself when I am preparing the meal. Every day I think, "It's a joy to be here and to be with the people."
And I have a blast doing it. In my morning loll, I'll say, "I will put joyful effort into everything I do." Some days I succeed, some days I don't. Some days I half succeed! When I am there, I'm giving so much that I get back the freedom of joy.
It's a great place for the people who come. They enjoy the food and socialize, instead of eating home alone. They get their belly filled and their needs met socially. I eat there every day and I really like it.
ETP: What's it like when ACI-Cape Ann comes?
SM: When the dharma center comes, it's really fun. I feel that I am bringing people in to the place. A few people also volunteer other days when Ken needs them. Roy Toulan volunteers every Thursday night. Walt Kolenda works there a lot. People at the dharma center are pitching in on more days than our day, which is a joy to see.
ETP: What would be most helpful from us?
SM: Joyful effort can also mean giving joyfully financially. It takes $200-$300 per meal. We committed to it for a year and we hope to commit again for another year in January. We also need people to be head cooks, to plan and organize it. You can come and do prep, cooking, clean up, or some combination.
The more people come, the more joy they give and get. By helping out, people can get the good karma of serving someone. Children are welcome, so please bring them. If they are over 10 they can help prepare the food. If they are under 10 they can help serve. This month, we are cooking on Thursday, October 20 from 3 PM to 6:30. So come and help!
Master Culadasa - Meditation for Peace
on the 10th Anniversary of September 11th | |
Master Culadasa and Phil · photo by Barbara Simundza
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Reflections by Grace Sullivan
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Grace Sullivan
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ETP: You drove from New York to hear these teachings. What stood out for you?
GS: For me it was such logical, systematic, and practical information, explained in concrete terms. Shamatha is not just a mysterious goal that maybe through some miracle I will get to or not. Instead, the stages are approachable. I understand that the stages will happen through time, and that there are landmarks. It inspired me to practice, and gave me hope that I could proceed to the next level.
ETP: Were there specifics that were particularly helpful?
GS: Sometimes when I practice on my own, I can't tell if I am getting anywhere. It seems unclear. Master Yates offered a way to think about the challenges in a productive way. He spoke very clearly about positive reinforcement and how it works. This phrase keeps coming into my mind: "the positive reinforcement of spontaneously arising introspective awareness." In the early stages, you can't control where your mind goes, but when you notice, you have an opportunity to positively reinforce it, and you have planted a seed, you have set it in motion, and now it is going to go.
ETP: It sounds as though it shifted your understanding of some meditation fundamentals.
GS: Definitely. I've had a question in my mind, what's the big deal about being present? I had a certain degree of fear of that, because I think it will make me stupid in some way. If you drop your thoughts of past and future and don't plan, what are you left with? Your physical sensations right now, what is coming into your senses. And if you start thinking about them, you're off them. If I rest in sensations, I fear it will make me stupid. That's part of my doubt.
But reflecting on his teaching, I realize the present is the only time you can have awareness of your own thoughts. When you're involved in a fantasy or imagining a scenario, if you are totally in it, you're not aware of it. But when you become aware of it, that constitutes the present.
It was also helpful to hear that we shouldn't start by trying to be single-pointed. It will collapse in on itself. I've had that problem, trying to get more and more single-pointed and suddenly finding myself dreaming, not knowing what happened.
This makes perfect sense. Don't shut out awareness of things in the periphery, or try to push them away. Just cultivate the awareness. This is what is happening now.
ETP: Anything else?
GS: It was very helpful distinguishing the attentional focus and the peripheral awareness. Even thoughts can be in peripheral awareness. The central focus seems to align with attentional stability, and the peripheral awareness seems to align with the mind that is aware of itself-the analytical side.
Also I feel very strongly that Master Yates has experienced what he's talking about. Yet I didn't think, "Oh my God, Oh my God!" He stayed extremely approachable. He didn't come in a form that intimidates you.
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photos by Barbara Simundza
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What's joyful perseverance? It's zestful vigor for being constructive. - Master Shantideva |
REBOOT...RETREAT
2011 Summer Retreatants Speak Out - Installment 2 Explore the Path interviewed some participants in the Summer Retreat, 2011 at the Governor's Academy. Below are selected quotes from their insights, and links to the full videos and transcripts. In November we will post the remaining videos. 
 | | Geoffrey Richon |
GR: I told a story that I thought was interesting yesterday in our meditation class. Fifty years ago Russell Crouse was pacing around the front porch of the Annisquam Yacht Club. I was the launch boy. He said, "You know everybody's come in except Lindsay and Tim. I don't know where they are. I'm worried about them." So I got in my little launch and motored around the corner and towed them in. And so fifty years later Lindsay came to me and said, "You know you ought to go around the corner and go see Lama Marut." So I thought, there's karma for you! ... Overall I'd say that the entire experience of having Lama Marut come to the northeast has been an enormous growth period for me. ... I've been checked into that, you know in all kinds of different ways. I look back at the original check-ins as being pretty meager. But nonetheless, awareness was cultivated, that came at the right time for me, because I didn't repeat old behaviors, I started becoming more centered, and more present, and more mindful. And it's better than just racing out and finding a way to solve whatever pain is going on in your life. It's been a godsend for me. Link to video. Open transcript.  | | Elizabeth Enfield |
ETP: Is there anything you would say to people who might be considering coming to this retreat?
EE: Oh yeah, do it! It's got everything! They're talking about body, mind and spirit. You finally see that this is all yoga. ...Yoga is really everything. It's the practicing, it's the teachings of the dharma, and it's the physical. And they have that all here. We do meditation for an hour in the morning, and we do yoga after that, and then we have lunch and go to a class in the afternoon. And break, and maybe go into retreat, in silence, till we have the nighttime class with Lama Marut. Every time you take a class on the same thing it just gets deeper and more effective. Link to video. Open transcript.
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Beebe and Duncan Nelson
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D (poet laureate of the retreat): Well I, because I'm wanting to listen so I can write something at the end, I'm listening and I'm writing down words, and then I'm writing down rhymes. So what I realized is that I began to put them together,that I can't go wrong. There is so much meat in what (Lama Marut) said, that I might think, well, I should put this first and that second, but if I just relax and let it all go, it seems to come out. Because there isn't any beginning, middle and end to anything anyway. B: And I came in with three enormous...questions. I wanted to know about the nature of creation, the nature of faith and wisdom, and what it would mean if we were mature as a species....so each day I set one of those as a meditation target... And... on the day that I was thinking about faith and wisdom, Cindy gave a long talk about doubt. So I kept being delivered these packages that were just so perfect...I think maybe I'd created the ears to hear some of those things, and so that's what I was hearing. Link to video. Open transcript.
 | | MIchael Penque |
MP: If I really had to pick one thing that keeps coming up in my mind as to what I took away from the retreat, it's that I don't need to push something away and try to get something else spiritually.
...The less I can consider myself a special spiritual practitioner, or the less I say, "My mental afflictions, I need to push them away." I can even open to, and create space for them, and let them be. And not be afflicted by the mental afflictions, ... I've had a little glimpse of what it would be like to experience that, which has been super powerful. Imagine that. The affliction comes, but you're actually not afflicted. What is the affliction then? ... So that's really just been, it's kind of been like the teaching for me.
 | | Yvette Rincon |
YR: There were so many ah-ha moments, you know, that took my practice, I feel like, to another level. But one of the teachings in particular that helped me was when Lama Marut challenged us to identify...our main mental affliction. And for me that was anger. And then what really helped me also was when he gave us the teaching to try to detach and to try to just watch it. Watch it rise, and not identify with it. So that it diffuses the anger and gives you a little bit more control and space. And so then, I haven't been angry here! But I've been using it with other mental afflictions here. And it's just so powerful and it feels like it's really working for me. So that was really great. That really helped me a lot.
Link to Video. Open Transcript.
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Every kind of well-being to which we aspire in this and future lives
depends on joyful effort.
- Geshe Sonam Rinchen
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DHARMA ARTS
 | | Joyful Allen Ginsberg by Ben Wickey |
Can't Can't is a binding word, that pulls me down to the ground. Can't won't let me make my own way around. Can't prevents me from soaring, placing a ceiling on my open sky. Can't is a word that won't answer my why. Can't stops me short on my road to success. Can't doesn't believe that encouragement is best. But can't won't chain me down until the very end. And can't will never be my friend. When can't is removed we open our souls to peace. As we spread this feeling, the world's joy will never cease. Remember this lesson, one and all. When we believe, we will never fall. Believe in yourself, and you can never go wrong. For you have really known who you are, all along. Julianne Freeman, grade 6 Newbury Elementary School, Newbury, MA Peace Poetry, Northern Essex Community College 2011 edition
 | | Joyful Buddha by Oliver Meyer at age 10 |
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What wise person with strong enthusiasm is discouraged? - Buddha |
IN THE LOOP
Rockport HarvestFest 2011
Stop by and visit ACI-Cape Ann's information table at
The Rockport HarvestFest October 15th, 10am to 6pm.
The HarvestFest is a family-focused event featuring
live music, kids' art activities, a showcase for non-profits
and community organizations, and the centerpiece
of the festival: the Local Fare Fair, which highlights our
amazing Cape Ann and New England food producers.
This is a festiveand delicious good time.
On reincarnation - by His Holiness the Dalai Lama Below is an excerpt from an article written by His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressing His reincarnation. The link: http://dalailama.com/messages/tibet/reincarnation-statement The next incarnation of the Dalai Lama As I mentioned earlier, reincarnation is a phenomenon which should take place either through the voluntary choice of the concerned person or at least on the strength of his or her karma, merit and prayers. Therefore, the person who reincarnates has sole legitimate authority over where and how he or she takes rebirth and how that reincarnation is to be recognized. It is a reality that no one else can force the person concerned, or manipulate him or her. It is particularly inappropriate for Chinese communists, who explicitly reject even the idea of past and future lives, let alone the concept of reincarnate Tulkus, to meddle in the system of reincarnation and especially the reincarnations of the Dalai Lamas and Panchen Lamas. Such brazen meddling contradicts their own political ideology and reveals their double standards. Should this situation continue in the future, it will be impossible for Tibetans and those who follow the Tibetan Buddhist tradition to acknowledge or accept it.
When I am about ninety I will consult the high Lamas of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions, the Tibetan public, and other concerned people who follow Tibetan Buddhism, and re-evaluate whether the institution of the Dalai Lama should continue or not. On that basis we will take a decision. If it is decided that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama should continue and there is a need for the Fifteenth Dalai Lama to be recognized, responsibility for doing so will primarily rest on the concerned officers of the Dalai Lama's Gaden Phodrang Trust. They should consult the various heads of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions and the reliable oath-bound Dharma Protectors who are linked inseparably to the lineage of the Dalai Lamas. They should seek advice and direction from these concerned beings and carry out the procedures of search and recognition in accordance with past tradition. I shall leave clear written instructions about this. Bear in mind that, apart from the reincarnation recognized through such legitimate methods, no recognition or acceptance should be given to a candidate chosen for political ends by anyone, including those in the People's Republic of China.
The Dalai Lama
Dharamsala Camilo and Renee  
Those of yo u who've been able to attend a teaching by either of these two powerful teachers know what a treat it is. Those of you who haven't had the privilege, here's another chance. They're returning to the Vajramudra Center Columbus Day Weekend. Visit aci-capeann.org for more info. Yoga for Kids Our friends over at Treetop Yoga Studio, 7 Parker St, Gloucester, are offering Yoga for Kids beginning in October. Stretch and Sing is for parents and walkers up to 3-year olds and will be held Fridays at 10:45am,10/14-11/18. Little Yogis is for 4 to 6-year olds and will be held Tuesdays at 3:15pm, 10/11-11/15. Kids Yoga is for 7-11-year olds and will be held Tuesdays at 4:15pm, 10/11-11/15. See treetopyoga.com for cost and additional information. AcroYoga Fundamentals With Kadri and Marissa at Treetop Yoga Studio Sunday, October 23, 1-4PM. AcroYoga blends the spiritual wisdom of yoga, the dynamic power of Acrobatics and the loving kindness of Thai massage to form the foundation of a unique practice that cultivates trust, connection and playfulness. See treetopyoga.com for cost and additional information. ACI-Cape Ann Serving at the Open Door Food Pantry  | |
Roy washing dishes with joyful effort!
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Gloucester, MA VOLUNTEERS NEEDED...Thursday, October 20 Each month we need: - Money to buy food $200-$300 (donations appreciated) - 4-8 meal servers - Head Cook: meal planner/organizer Optional: Dessert Cook, Salad Bar Preparer, Grocery Shopper and Bread Baker/Buyer Children are welcome to serve the meal and are appreciated as long as they have parental supervision. To volunteer, please contact Sharon Muddiman at sangha@aci-capeann.org Back to Contents |
Once you have practiced patience, begin your practice of effort, for enlightenment lies in making these kinds of effort. - Master Shantideva |
EVENTS
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Meditation Nights - Lam Rim - Steps on the Path to Awakening (Enlightenment)
with Mary Kay Dyer, Phil Salzman and Margaret Redington, Tues, 7:30-9:30pm, Sept 13-Nov 8.
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Lam Rim: Teachings on Interdependence
with Camilo Cerro and Mysore Style Ashtanga Yoga with Renee McNamara. Oct 7-10
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Star Wars - Dharma flick Dharma teaching/discussion with Camilo Cerro after the screening, Oct 8, 8:30pm ---------------------- The Ethical Life: Dharma Essentials 9 with Margaret Redington, Sundays, Oct 16, 23, 30 & Nov 6, 2-4pm. ---------------------- Meditations in Emptiness 1: A Meditation Course on Arya Nagarjuna's Root Verses of the Middle Way (Mulamadhyamakakarika) with Jesse Fallon, Wednesdays, 7:30-9:30pm, Nov 2-Dec 7. Registration required. No drop-ins. ---------------------- The Art of Reasoning: Asian Classics Formal Course 13 with Jesse Fallon, Saturdays, Oct 29; Nov 5 & 19; Dec 10, (time tba). ---------------------- Tibetan Heart Yoga with Julie Upton TIME CHANGE! Monday mornings now 9:30-11. Get the kids to school and stop by for yoga! ---------------------- Light On Meditation - A Stillness & Insight Retreat with Special Guest Teacher Upasaka Culadasa (John Yates, Ph.D.). Feb 29-Mar 8, 2012. Registration required by Nov 15. -------------------
Proof of Future Lives: Asian Classics Formal Course 4 with Larry Wolf Mondays, Aug 29-Oct 31, 7:30-9:30pm --------------------- Weekly Meditation, Yoga, Discussion, Debate and Family Offerings with a variety of wonderful teachers at the Vajramudra Center, aci-capeann.org
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Those engaged in attaining enlightenment, seeing the drawbacks of lethargy and sleepiness, spend their time making constant enthusiastic effort. I have encouraged them in this. - Buddha |
DID YOU KNOW?
In his outstanding online archive, Alexander Berzin describes Joyful Effort in the context of the main division schemes found in theKagyu, Nyingma, and Gelug traditions. For full article, click here.
Far-Reaching Joyful Perseverance
Gampopa presents three divisions of far-reaching joyfulperseverance:
·armor-like joyful perseverance - never to give up effort in constructive acts in order to lead each and every limited being to enlightenment, no matter the difficulties involved,
·joyful perseverance applied (to constructive actions),
·insatiable joyful perseverance - never feeling that one has made enough effort until one has attained enlightenment.
There are three types of joyful perseverance applied to constructive actions:
·the joyful perseverance to rid oneself of disturbing emotions,
·the joyful perseverance of actualizing the constructive factors - namely, the six far-reaching attitudes, with no regard for one's body or even one's life,
·the joyful perseverance of working for the benefit of limited beings - even if one has to do so all by oneself.
Ngojey-raypa lists the same three main divisions as Gampopa does, but reverses the order of the first two.
Peltrul also presents the same three main divisions, but in the order that Gampopa follows.
Tsongkhapa presents:
·armor-like joyful perseverance,
·the joyful perseverance to assemble constructive factors,
·the joyful perseverance of working for the benefit of limited beings.
The first division in Tsongkhapa's presentation is the same as that in Gampopa's. The last two are the same as the last two types of Gampopa's second division, the joyful perseverance applied to constructive actions.
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Those who make enthusiastic effort will have no difficulty accomplishing every worldly and supermundane art. - Buddha |
SEND IT IN!
This newsletter is by and for our community. We welcome submissions - art work, movie or book reviews, dharma quotes, experiences on the cushion and on the street, dharma in the media, insights and ideas. We encounter teachers and opportunities to practice in the most unlikely places! So share it!
Upcoming Exploring the Path Themes! To encourage all of you to create content for our upcoming newsletters, we are letting you in on the secret! Here are the themes for the next few months: November: Perception/Projection
December: Mandala's/Holiday Icons
January: To be Announced Soon!
Please send your submissions for the November issue to: explorethepath@aci-capeann.org
by October 15, 2011. Please try to limit your submissions to 300 words.
Please provide full citations if submitting any copyrighted material (including the URL for graphics licensed under Creative Commons) and obtain permissions if using anything requiring permissions.
By submitting your work and your ideas you are giving EXPLORING THE PATH permission to publish them in this newsletter.
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THANK YOU FOR VIEWING OUR NEWSLETTER!
Questions or comments on our newsletter? Send them to explorethepath@aci-capeann.org
For more information about activities at the Vajramudra Center, please visit aci-capeann.orgIf you have questions of a spiritual nature or want to request a meeting with our Spiritual Advisor, Jesse Fallon, please email him at spiritualquestions@aci-capeann.org |
n o s t o p p i n g u n t i l e v e r y o n e i s h a p p y !
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