"Connection and Alienation"
A reading from The Contemplative's Craft. And a dedication to peace. Not just with others, but within ourselves.
Saturday, December 29, marked a 12-hour day of “Anapanassati Practice” (mindfulness of breathing) at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery in California. (This monastery’s origins are in the Thai Forest Tradition of Theravada Buddhism.) Saturday’s practice theme focused on “metta” (loving-kindness), and from 5:00-6:00 a.m., monasteries and lay people from all around the world jointly participated in the metta meditation. Saturday also initiated a week of chanting and meditation dedicated to world peace.
People could participate in Saturday’s practice by attending in person at the monastery, connecting live on Zoom, or watching the live-stream on Youtube. I participated in the day’s morning session, which included meditation, reflections, chanting, readings, and a dhamma talk. (For those who don’t know, dhamma talks are given by senior monks, sharing insights and teachings on Buddhism. Note that Theravada Buddhists say “dhamma” while other Buddhist branches say “dharma.” “Dhamma” is the original word in the Pali Canon or scripture.)
I’d like to share a brief video excerpt from that morning session, as I think it strikes an appropriate chord as we approach the new year. Buddhist terms and meditation practice are referenced here, but the content applies to anyone.
The video excerpt features Ajahn Nyaniko, abbot of Abhayagiri, reading from the book The Contemplative’s Craft by Ajahn Viradhammo. Viradhammo is the abbot of Tisarana Monastery in Canada. (You can get his book for free as a PDF, through the link.)
In this piece, titled “Connection and Alienation,” Viradhammo elaborates on how we can disengage in a healthy way from our moods, anger, attachments, and judgements, and connect more fully with our present experience, just as it is. In essence: the practice of mindfulness.
👉🏼 Link to watch/listen to the reading
(It is about 12 minutes long.)
Let these shared insights provide an opportunity to contemplate peace, connection, and harmony. Not just with others, but within ourselves. Here. And now. 🙏
P.S. An all the more fitting topic, peace, given the news that 2002 Nobel Peace Prize winner Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100. Jimmy Carter dedicated his life to peace. He will always serve as a beautiful example of humility, compassion, presence, and loving-kindness.