There’s an evanescent quality to this life. It keeps on changing. And we know that—but we don't really know it. I think if we really knew it, we wouldn’t spend a moment angry. The more I go on, the more I think that the development of poise is the heart of practice: whatever is happening, that’s okay; this thought came up, that’s okay; this feeling came up, that’s okay; my back hurts a bit, that's okay. Then we do whatever we can to calm down our mind, because it’s not about armwrestling your mind to the ground, but reminding it of what’s true.
Talks
August 12, 2015
| 58 min.
Liberation is the Whole of the Dharma
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.