One way of describing wisdom and compassion is to not be held captive by your own pain so that you’ll be able to be touched by the pain of others. The most significant move is to go from “our people” to “all people.” Like Paul Farmer says, “there’s only one nation—there’s only one people.” The Bodhisattva Vow says, “May all beings everywhere be peaceful and happy and come to the end of suffering.” And “beings are numberless, and suffering is endless. I vow to end it.” But I can't possibly be running around house to house in the whole world, so what does that mean? It means if my heart were a completely open heart, it would already be finished. Whatever house I’d be in front of I would meet with kindness or compassion.
Talks
April 13, 2022
| 1 hr 23 min.
Cultivating a Wonderful Mind
Sylvia Boorstein
Sylvia Boorstein
Residential Retreat Teacher
Sylvia Boorstein, PhD, has taught Dharma and mindfulness meditation since 1985 and is a founding teacher of Spirit Rock. A psychologist as well as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she emphasizes daily life, citizenship, and social activism as integral to practice. Her books include It’s Easier Than You Think, Don’t Just Do Something, Sit There, That’s Funny, You Don’t Look Buddhist, Pay Attention for Goodness’ Sake, and Happiness Is an Inside Job.