A Meaningful Life Daylong Retreat
Saturday, July 16
10am -11:30am (EST)
1pm - 2:30pm (EST)
4pm - 5:30pm (EST)
Refuge
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammasambuddhassa. (3X)
Homage to the Blessed, Noble and Perfectly Enlightened One.
Buddham saranam gacchaami.
I go to the Buddha for refuge.
Dhammam saranam gacchaami.
I go to the Dhamma for refuge.
Sangham saranam gacchaami.
I go to the Sangha for refuge.
Dutiyampi buddham saranam gacchaami.
A second time, I go to the Buddha for refuge.
Dutiyampi dhammam saranam gacchaami.
A second time, I go to the Dhamma for refuge.
Dutiyampi sangham saranam gacchaami.
A second time, I go to the Sangha for refuge.
Tatiyampi buddham saranam gacchaami.
A third time, I go to the Buddha for refuge.
Tatiyampi dhammam saranam gacchaami.
A third time, I go to the Dhamma for refuge.
Tatiyampi sangham saranam gacchaami.
A third time, I go to the Sangha for refuge.
-resolve…..
-the path to a meaningful life begins with our resolve....
-seeing the way that we're living ... we resolve to live in a more meaningful way.....
-developing this sort of resolve entails having a change of heart....
-what is our resolve to live a meaningful life.….?
-what is the degree/depth of our resolve....?
-what is our commitment to a meaningful life....?
-to what degree do we put wholehearted effort into living a meaningful life....?
-do we want to deepen in this effort....?
-developing resolve…..
-ways that we can develop in our resolve to live a meaningful life include....
-associating with wise beings/admirable friends....
-beings with strong resolve....
-beings who follow through on their resolve....
-beings who can teach us to develop in resolve.....
-cultivating sublime attitudes….
-compassion….
-cultivating our wish to be free from suffering....
-metta....
-cultivating our wish for true happiness.....
-gratitude appreciation….
-cultivating appreciation for our goodness....
-cultivating appreciation for the goodness of others....
-including teachers & parents.....
-cultivating appreciation for the dharma....
-cultivating apprecious for the preciousness of life.....
-reflection…..
-asking, what do I have to do in order to live a meaningful life….?
-asking, how can Iive a more meaningful life....?
-reflection on death…..
-reflection on the brevity of life....
-asking, how can I make the most of the time I have....?
-asking, the days & nights are passing endlessly, how am I spending my time…..?
Five Subjects for Frequent Recollection (Chant)
Jaraa-dhammomhi jaram anatiito.
I am subject to aging. Aging is unavoidable.
Byaadhi-dhammomhi byaadhim anatiito.
I am subject to illness. Illness is unavoidable.
Marana-dhammomhi maranam anatiito.
I am subject to death. Death is unavoidable.
Sabbehi me piyehi manaapehi naanaa-bhaavo vinaa-bhaavo.
I will grow different, separate from all that is dear & appealing to me.
Kammassakomhi kamma-daayaado kamma-yoni kamma-bandhu kamma-patisarano.
I am the owner of my actions, heir to my actions, born of my actions, related through my actions, and live dependent on my actions.
Yam kammam karissaami kalyaanam vaa paapakam vaa tassa daayaado bhavissaami.
Whatever I do, for good or for evil, to that will I fall heir.
Evam amhehi abhinham paccavekkhitabbam.
We should often reflect on this.
-law of unskillful/skillful action.....
-in seeking to live a meaningful life, we learn to be heedful of the ways we are engaging in action that is not leading to having a meaningful life….
-unskillful action.....
-unskillful action is informed by desire & aversion.....
-if we take action informed by desire & aversion... this is leading us to suffering and away from having a meaningful life....
-four kinds of unskillful action....
-we should be heedful of four kinds of action that are antithetical to living a meaningful life.….
1-the seeking and acquisition of sense pleasure….
-including accumulation of sense pleasures.….
-including acquisition of material possessions....
-including acquisition of money ... in excess of what we need to meet our basic needs.....
-all forms of action informed by greed.....
2-holding to views and opinions….
3-involvement in habits & practices.....
-including social conventions….
4-self-identity view....
-looking for meaning in our roles.….
-looking for meaning in status & praise.….
-skillful action.....
-skillful action is informed by compassion & metta.....
-if we take action informed by compassion & metta ... this leads to having a meaningful life....
-four kinds of skillful action…..
1-generosity…..
2-non-harming….
3-meditation/mental training….
-being a dharma student….
-a dharma student is commited to the four determinations:
1-not to neglect discernment.....
2-to preserve the truth.....
3-to develop relinquishment....
4-to train for peace.....
4-letting go….
-letting go of aversion & desire ... enables us to open the heart....
-we are able to meet our days with a sublime attitude: compassion, metta, appreciation....
-we are able to take wholehearted action.....
-reflections.....
-to what extent do I look for value/meaning in life in the four kinds of unskillful actions.....?
-to what extent do I look for meaning in the four kinds of skillful actions.....?
-community ….
-a meaningful life is a life that is lived in community......
-meaning in life is found in being part of a shared effort....
-in developing the four skillful actions of generosity, non-harming, meditation, and letting g0.....
-in supporting each other....
-in the joy that coming from being with others.....
-meaning & relationship....
-what is meaningful relationship....?
-in meaningful relationship, we support the other in his/her efforts to develop their goodness and find meaning/happiness in their lives.....
-when we support the other in this way, it brings meaning to our lives…..
-carrying the message.......
-we bring meaning to our lives when we practice generosity and offer the gift of the dharma to others.....
-we can pass on the gift of the dharma, the goodness of generosity/non-harming/peace.....
-in our relationshps.....
-in our work....
-in our art....
-in service.....
-most importantly we carry the message of the dharma in the way we are…..
-in how we embody our goodness.....
-we are messengers of goodness by modeling our goodness.....
-we allow our goodness to shine in the world......
-reflections.....
-is our dharma practice self-enclosed....?
-how do we bring the message of the dharma -the message of non-greed, kindness, peace- to others....?
-meaning & effort.....
-life is meaningful when we make an effort to develop the four kinds of skillful action.....
-generosity.....
-non-harming.....
-meditation/peace.....
-lettting go.....
-meaning is found not so much in the results ... but in the effort we make.....
-if we make a true, wholehearted effort to develop these four actions, we will have lived a meaningful life....
-our goodness is found in our effort ... and it is our goodness that will be left behind.....
-reading.....
-"Tough Lovingkindness"
-"Life is Short" from The Skill of Living.....
Saturday, July 16
10am -11:30am (EST)
1pm - 2:30pm (EST)
4pm - 5:30pm (EST)
Refuge
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammasambuddhassa. (3X)
Homage to the Blessed, Noble and Perfectly Enlightened One.
Buddham saranam gacchaami.
I go to the Buddha for refuge.
Dhammam saranam gacchaami.
I go to the Dhamma for refuge.
Sangham saranam gacchaami.
I go to the Sangha for refuge.
Dutiyampi buddham saranam gacchaami.
A second time, I go to the Buddha for refuge.
Dutiyampi dhammam saranam gacchaami.
A second time, I go to the Dhamma for refuge.
Dutiyampi sangham saranam gacchaami.
A second time, I go to the Sangha for refuge.
Tatiyampi buddham saranam gacchaami.
A third time, I go to the Buddha for refuge.
Tatiyampi dhammam saranam gacchaami.
A third time, I go to the Dhamma for refuge.
Tatiyampi sangham saranam gacchaami.
A third time, I go to the Sangha for refuge.
-resolve…..
-the path to a meaningful life begins with our resolve....
-seeing the way that we're living ... we resolve to live in a more meaningful way.....
-developing this sort of resolve entails having a change of heart....
-what is our resolve to live a meaningful life.….?
-what is the degree/depth of our resolve....?
-what is our commitment to a meaningful life....?
-to what degree do we put wholehearted effort into living a meaningful life....?
-do we want to deepen in this effort....?
-developing resolve…..
-ways that we can develop in our resolve to live a meaningful life include....
-associating with wise beings/admirable friends....
-beings with strong resolve....
-beings who follow through on their resolve....
-beings who can teach us to develop in resolve.....
-cultivating sublime attitudes….
-compassion….
-cultivating our wish to be free from suffering....
-metta....
-cultivating our wish for true happiness.....
-gratitude appreciation….
-cultivating appreciation for our goodness....
-cultivating appreciation for the goodness of others....
-including teachers & parents.....
-cultivating appreciation for the dharma....
-cultivating apprecious for the preciousness of life.....
-reflection…..
-asking, what do I have to do in order to live a meaningful life….?
-asking, how can Iive a more meaningful life....?
-reflection on death…..
-reflection on the brevity of life....
-asking, how can I make the most of the time I have....?
-asking, the days & nights are passing endlessly, how am I spending my time…..?
Five Subjects for Frequent Recollection (Chant)
Jaraa-dhammomhi jaram anatiito.
I am subject to aging. Aging is unavoidable.
Byaadhi-dhammomhi byaadhim anatiito.
I am subject to illness. Illness is unavoidable.
Marana-dhammomhi maranam anatiito.
I am subject to death. Death is unavoidable.
Sabbehi me piyehi manaapehi naanaa-bhaavo vinaa-bhaavo.
I will grow different, separate from all that is dear & appealing to me.
Kammassakomhi kamma-daayaado kamma-yoni kamma-bandhu kamma-patisarano.
I am the owner of my actions, heir to my actions, born of my actions, related through my actions, and live dependent on my actions.
Yam kammam karissaami kalyaanam vaa paapakam vaa tassa daayaado bhavissaami.
Whatever I do, for good or for evil, to that will I fall heir.
Evam amhehi abhinham paccavekkhitabbam.
We should often reflect on this.
-law of unskillful/skillful action.....
-in seeking to live a meaningful life, we learn to be heedful of the ways we are engaging in action that is not leading to having a meaningful life….
-unskillful action.....
-unskillful action is informed by desire & aversion.....
-if we take action informed by desire & aversion... this is leading us to suffering and away from having a meaningful life....
-four kinds of unskillful action....
-we should be heedful of four kinds of action that are antithetical to living a meaningful life.….
1-the seeking and acquisition of sense pleasure….
-including accumulation of sense pleasures.….
-including acquisition of material possessions....
-including acquisition of money ... in excess of what we need to meet our basic needs.....
-all forms of action informed by greed.....
2-holding to views and opinions….
3-involvement in habits & practices.....
-including social conventions….
4-self-identity view....
-looking for meaning in our roles.….
-looking for meaning in status & praise.….
-skillful action.....
-skillful action is informed by compassion & metta.....
-if we take action informed by compassion & metta ... this leads to having a meaningful life....
-four kinds of skillful action…..
1-generosity…..
2-non-harming….
3-meditation/mental training….
-being a dharma student….
-a dharma student is commited to the four determinations:
1-not to neglect discernment.....
2-to preserve the truth.....
3-to develop relinquishment....
4-to train for peace.....
4-letting go….
-letting go of aversion & desire ... enables us to open the heart....
-we are able to meet our days with a sublime attitude: compassion, metta, appreciation....
-we are able to take wholehearted action.....
-reflections.....
-to what extent do I look for value/meaning in life in the four kinds of unskillful actions.....?
-to what extent do I look for meaning in the four kinds of skillful actions.....?
-community ….
-a meaningful life is a life that is lived in community......
-meaning in life is found in being part of a shared effort....
-in developing the four skillful actions of generosity, non-harming, meditation, and letting g0.....
-in supporting each other....
-in the joy that coming from being with others.....
-meaning & relationship....
-what is meaningful relationship....?
-in meaningful relationship, we support the other in his/her efforts to develop their goodness and find meaning/happiness in their lives.....
-when we support the other in this way, it brings meaning to our lives…..
-carrying the message.......
-we bring meaning to our lives when we practice generosity and offer the gift of the dharma to others.....
-we can pass on the gift of the dharma, the goodness of generosity/non-harming/peace.....
-in our relationshps.....
-in our work....
-in our art....
-in service.....
-most importantly we carry the message of the dharma in the way we are…..
-in how we embody our goodness.....
-we are messengers of goodness by modeling our goodness.....
-we allow our goodness to shine in the world......
-reflections.....
-is our dharma practice self-enclosed....?
-how do we bring the message of the dharma -the message of non-greed, kindness, peace- to others....?
-meaning & effort.....
-life is meaningful when we make an effort to develop the four kinds of skillful action.....
-generosity.....
-non-harming.....
-meditation/peace.....
-lettting go.....
-meaning is found not so much in the results ... but in the effort we make.....
-if we make a true, wholehearted effort to develop these four actions, we will have lived a meaningful life....
-our goodness is found in our effort ... and it is our goodness that will be left behind.....
-reading.....
-"Tough Lovingkindness"
-"Life is Short" from The Skill of Living.....
| life_is_short_skill_of_living_pdf.pdf |
-"Preconceived Notions" from The Skill of Living.....
| preconceived_notions_skill_of_living_pdf.pdf |
-"Taking Joy from The Skill of Living.....
| skill_of_living_taking_joy.pdf |
-listening.....
-"Seclusion & Action"
-"What Can I Give?"
-"Finding Your Way"
-"Noble Ones"
-"All About Action"
I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was living among the Sakyans. Now there is a Sakyan town named Sakkara. There Ven. Ananda went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to the Blessed One, sat to one side. As he was sitting there, Ven. Ananda said to the Blessed One, "This is half of the holy life, lord: admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie."
"Don't say that, Ananda. Don't say that. Admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie is actually the whole of the holy life. When a monk has admirable people as friends, companions, & comrades, he can be expected to develop & pursue the noble eightfold path.
"And how does a monk who has admirable people as friends, companions, & comrades, develop & pursue the noble eightfold path? There is the case where a monk develops right view dependent on seclusion, dependent on dispassion, dependent on cessation, resulting in relinquishment. He develops right resolve... right speech... right action... right livelihood... right effort... right mindfulness... right concentration dependent on seclusion, dependent on dispassion, dependent on cessation, resulting in relinquishment. This is how a monk who has admirable people as friends, companions, & colleagues, develops & pursues the noble eightfold path.
"And through this line of reasoning one may know how admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie is actually the whole of the holy life: It is in dependence on me as an admirable friend that beings subject to birth have gained release from birth, that beings subject to aging have gained release from aging, that beings subject to death have gained release from death, that beings subject to sorrow, lamentation, pain, distress, & despair have gained release from sorrow, lamentation, pain, distress, & despair. It is through this line of reasoning that one may know how admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie is actually the whole of the holy life."
(SN 45.2))
A Ritual to Read to Each Other
(William Stafford)
If you don't know the kind of person I am
and I don't know the kind of person you are
a pattern that others made may prevail in the world
and following the wrong god home we may miss our star.
For there is many a small betrayal in the mind,
a shrug that lets the fragile sequence break
sending with shouts the horrible errors of childhood
storming out to play through the broken dike.
And as elephants parade holding each elephant's tail,
but if one wanders the circus won't find the park,
I call it cruel and maybe the root of all cruelty
to know what occurs but not recognize the fact.
And so I appeal to a voice, to something shadowy,
a remote important region in all who talk:
though we could fool each other, we should consider--
lest the parade of our mutual life get lost in the dark.
For it is important that awake people be awake,
or a breaking line may discourage them back to sleep;
the signals we give — yes or no, or maybe --
should be clear: the darkness around us is deep.
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