Dear friends,
The paramitas are already inherent qualities that cannot be achieved but are revealed to be ever-present essences of being. Bringing awareness to the paramitas and applying will to their practical aspects is the practice that reveals. It is like priming a pump to bring the water from a deep well to the surface, or planting a seed and applying cultivation techniques to support its growth until it bears fruit.
Each paramita is an integral aspect of all the paramitas. Although the unique experiences of each can be discerned, their essences or natures are inseparable. For example, through the practice of dana or giving, there is the realization of selflessness. Selflessness is a necessary quality for harmlessness, the realization that comes about with the practice of sila or taking the moral precepts. Harmlessness, in turn, is an aspect of selflessness. As the study and practice of the remaining three paramitas continues the inseparability of all of them will be apparent.
With the practice of ksanti or patience there is the realization of peace. This peace is beyond the relative peace that comes about with the end of aggression. This peace is an essential, ever-present quality of being. It is a fruit of dana and sila and is also experienced as their seed.
Ksanti paramita is already known. It is the experience that highlights its own obscurations, veils and obstacles. It is the sense that reveals the experience of the longing that comes with boredom, the irritation that comes with impatience, the discomfort that comes with frustration, and the dis-ease that comes with anger.
Ksanti paramita, the fruition or perfection of the practice of ksanti/patience, is the direct experience of the quality of being that is a calm persistent stillness; the ground from which all thought, speech or action manifests. It is the direct experience of unbounded potential. It is like the womb of the mother that does not hinder but only nurtures. In ksanti paramita there is no time, no pressure to achieve, no objective. It is as flexible as water and as open as space. It is like the movement of the wind that cannot be impeded but does not impede. It is like the stable, fecund earth, and the illumination and warmth of fire. It is the beingness that shines a light on and makes aware the potential of goodness regardless of the situation. It is the peace that passes all understanding.
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With these words I pay homage to all buddhas, bodhisattvas, sentient beings, and the totality. May these words not confuse, bring doubt, or harm, but bring ease and warmth and an end to suffering for all being
William
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Practice
Practicing in sangha, even virtually, supports the practice of meditation differently than practicing solitarily. The members of the Sangha of the Pandemic, invite you to practice with us. No experience is required. There is no cost. Everyone is welcome.
We practice on ZOOM:
Mornings
- Mondays – Calm abiding and insight meditation. 6:30 AM Pacific Time
- Tuesdays – Body awareness. 6:30 AM Pacific Time
- Thursdays – Tonglen, 6:30 AM Pacific Time
- Sundays – Brahmavihara. 7 AM Pacific Time
Evenings
- Mondays and Wednesdays: 4:30 PM Pacific Time
ZOOM Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89989680789
Please feel free to reach out with questions or insights. Please also feel free to forward this post and invite others to join the sangha. You may find more reflections, poetry, art at sanghaofthepandemic.org . If you would like to comment or offer feedback and insight you may do so in the comment section on the website or by email to wrgentner@gmail.com
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Check-In
If you have questions about meditation practice, or would like to have a conversation about the practice or anything else, you can check in with William by making an appointment. Go to “Check In Appts.”