Community Practice Sunday, 3/19 with Jane Rauenhorst: Continuing Our Exploration of Sila

Dear friends,

At our next weekly practice meeting on Sunday, March 19th at 10am we will continue our exploration of the parami of sila or morality.  Register to join us here.

Here’s a note from Jane (who will be facilitating Sunday’s discussion): “I found last week’s discussion and practice very helpful in seeing my own resistance to the concept of morality.  Over the week, I have examined my prejudices and practiced and read more and have felt so much appreciation for the approach to morality that the Dhamma offers us.   I look forward to further considering the practice of Sila together this Sunday.  In particular, I look forward to considering the relational nature of Sila practice and how it is an opportunity to recognize our innate goodness, which then becomes a support on our spiritual path.”

Here are some excerpts for your consideration: from Ajahn Succito’s book Parami: Ways to Cross Life’s Floods, (which is freely available at the link) and from Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening.  By Joseph Goldstein.

From Ajahn Succito:

"Morality carries with it the strength of restraint, the empathy of concern for how one’s actions affect oneself and others.

To avoid moralizing and righteousness, one should practise morality as if one is wisely supervising someone one loves and respects. If you are called upon to check someone else’s behaviour, do so in the same way. This is the spirit of kalyānamitta, spiritual friendship."

"Reflect similarly on the other precepts — how would it feel to be cheated, abused or deceived by another? And conversely, how would it feel to be supported and respected by others?

Consider your actions from the standpoint of a wise and warm- hearted friend (this is not an inquisition). Which actions would you recommend giving more attention to?"

From Mindfulness: A Pracitical Guide to Awakening. By Joseph Goldstein

"…the foundation for concentration is sila…..if there is no virture, the basis for concentration is destroyed."

"Sila is the cause for non-remorse, non-remorse the condition for happiness, happiness the cause for concentration, and concentration the condition for liberating wisdom. We can see how this cycle and its opposite play out in our practice."

"Once we have established ourselves in the precepts, then even if memories of unwholesome, unskillful past actions arise, we have the inner stability to be with them, learn from them, and let them go."

We look forward to practicing together.

With metta,

Minneapolis Insight