“If we are mindful, we will know whether we are ‘ingesting’ the toxins of fear, hatred, and violence, or eating foods that encourage understanding, compassion, and the determination to help others. With the practice of mindfulness, we will know that hearing this, looking at that, or touching this, we feel light and peaceful, while hearing that, looking at this, or touching that, we feel anxious, sad, or depressed. As a result, we will know what to be in contact with and what to avoid. Our skin protects us from bacteria. Antibodies protect us from internal invaders. We have to use the equivalent aspects of our consciousness to protect us from unwholesome sense objects that can poison us.”
The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching Book by Thich Nhat Hanh *
The following paragraph strikingly extends the meaning of the topic…
“The Buddha offered this drastic image: ‘There is a cow with such a terrible skin disease that her skin is almost no longer there. When you bring her close to an ancient wall or old tree, all the living creatures in the bark of the tree come out, cling to the cow’s body, and suck. When we bring her into the water, the same things happens. Even when she is just exposed to the air, tiny insects come and suck.’ Then, the Buddha said, ‘This is our situation, also.”
This is Monday’s topic for contemplation, reflection and sharing at the online virtual ‘Sit-and-Share’ meditation meeting via Skype from 7:45 pm ready for a prompt start at 8 pm (UK time).
All welcome.
This week’s topic was chosen by Jessica, who will be our ‘Sit-and-Share’ host on Monday.
Please read ‘How to attend a Virtual Sit-and-Share meeting’ –
Closing dedication of Merit:
We dedicate the merits of this practice to all suffering beings.
May everyone be free of suffering, and the causes of suffering.
May everyone enjoy happiness, and the causes of happiness.
Keep sitting; and keep smiling.