Weekly Guiding Teacher Reflection

Dear Common Ground Friends,

An important part of our practice is realizing the liberating shift when our heart releases its clinging to the content of mental proliferation. This release can happen at any moment, and reveals a more inclusive, receptive, and intimate presence with things as they are. Of course, conceptual thinking is a useful and necessary tool that we use to connect socially, and to analyze and problem solve. But, conceptual thinking can also become an entangling whirlpool that stresses the body and mind. How many times today has the thinking mind swirled around and around, leaving it disoriented, alienated, and weak? The Buddha was clear, no matter how the thinking mind conceives of something, the way things actually are will always remain otherwise. In Buddhism, delusion is the essential cause of suffering; it arises whenever the mind misunderstands and clings to the meaning that thoughts construct. We think with the grip of identification and therefore lose the clear and open quality of the mind. Releasing the grip of fixed views is real freedom.

Instead of clinging to fixed views in order to feel grounded and safe, we can instead cultivate a deepening trust in being open, awake, and wisely aware. Relating to experience in this way is liberating. Any moment will do. Awareness doesn’t depend on any particular experience. What matters is our heart’s willingness to open and allow experiences to arise and pass naturally. The self-centered grip of greed, hatred, and delusion can also be observed as just another experience being sensed. Being open to the present moment requires a steadfast and courageous application of one’s heart to this practice. To start again, we simply reflect, “How is this heart relating to experience now? Is this way of relating onward-leading to stress or release?” This is the essence of the Buddha’s liberating path of awakening.

May all beings realize a peaceful & easeful way of being,
Mark Nunberg
Co-Guiding Teacher