January 31 – We are made more by this practice

Dear Friends,

The closing paragraph of Christina Feldman’s Boundless Heart gives us the big picture of where/why/how these practices from this month matter:

The noble abidings of kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity becomes immeasurable and unshakeable when rooted in profound understanding. Step by step and moment by moment, a home is established in the qualities that ennoble our lives and hearts and offer a life of wakefulness. In this fragile life, so easily broken and riven by affliction, we come to see that it is only kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity that make sense.

page 144

There’s a passage in Richard Wagamese’s book Embers that I think sums up this some of the profound understanding that Christina has invited us to notice:

From our very first breath, we are in relationship. With that indrawn draft of air, we become joined to everything that ever was, is and ever will be. When we exhale, we forge that relationship by virtue of the act of living. Our breath commingles with all breath, and we are a part of everything. That’s the simple fact of things. We are born into a state of relationship, and our ceremonies and rituals are guides to lead us deeper into that relationship with all things. Big lesson? Relationships never end; they just change. In believing that lies the freedom to carry compassion, empathy, love, kindness and respect into and through whatever changes. We are made more by that practice.

page 44

I’ve appreciated your patience and perseverance in following along with this series of emails. Knowing you were here with me kept me inspired and dedicated to this exploration. The power of sangha, even if only by email!

I wish to extend my gratitude to the teachers who have inspired me, challenged me, and modeled what a life dedicated to the dharma can be. In particular, I’d like to acknowledge

• Jeanne Corrigal – community dharma leader for the Saskatoon Insight Meditation Community, and currently part of the 2017-2021 Teacher Training Program at IMS. She is my primary mentor and teacher. I am deeply indebted to her for her generosity in sharing her wisdom and teachings and time.
• Christina Feldman – the author of Boundless Heart and numerous other books (including a new book coming out in May). I appreciated her way of bringing together mindfulness and the brahma viharas as she did in this book and other talks. This approach has helped me broaden my understanding of how to live these practices more fully.
• dharmaseed.org and audiodharma.org and other online sources who have made these teachings accessible to anyone.
• Reece and Savanna – my dogs, who very patiently put up with me working on these messages and got shorter walks as a result… Their embodiment of equanimity is an inspiration.

I have tried to include links and references to the many books, blogs, and courses from which I drew material. Please let me know of any omissions or clarifications, and I will happily amend the post. While many people have contributed towards this month’s emails, any errors are strictly my own.

Where to from here? A couple of suggestions:

• If you’re looking for continued daily emails, check out Sharon Salzberg’s Real Happiness Meditation Challenge, an annual program geared toward supporting all the folks who are looking to deepen into meditation practice. (Registration closes on February 1.)
• If you want to continue exploring Christina’s teaching and topics related to the brahma viharas as a path to awakening, you could listen to the recordings from a 2015 weekend retreat at the Victoria BC Insight Meditation Society
  http://victoriaims.org/?p=6250

Most importantly, just keep practicing and exploring.

May the merit of our practice be of benefit to all beings everywhere.

With a grateful heart,
Andrea