Rodney's Q&A

Rodney's Q&A

Q: I am confused about the effort I need to put forth in meditation. I hear you talking about not striving, but what other means do I have but trying as hard as I can?

Q: I have been practicing for a couple of years and sometimes wonder what all this work has all been about. I mostly feel like the same old me.

Q: Why does Buddhism put so much emphasis on suffering?

Q: I have been meditating for about a year and am wondering what is the right combination of study and practice.

Q: I would like to share something that I have been noticing for some time. I look for my happiness in other people. This generates both fear of rejection and desire to be loved. Any suggestions?

Q: There seems to be a substantial difference between my retreat practice and my daily life. On retreat my heart is wide open and I feel a deep tenderness for all life, but when I return home I contract around people and feel more judgmental. Am I doing something wrong?

Q: I prefer being on retreat. Am I missing something by not sitting with the sangha?

Q: I struggle with many parts of myself that I just do not like. I know meditation instructions always say to be nonjudgmentally aware of the mind, but how does that really help me?

Q: How can meditation help me deal with difficult emotions?

Q: I live an active life and wonder how meditation fits into activity.

Q: I yearn to be more than I am. I know I have not reached my full potential, but how does spiritual practice help me toward that goal?

Q: How long does it take? When will this end? How much more do I have to do?

SIMS Guiding Teacher Rodney Smith offers answers to questions from sangha members.

Click on a question to open the answer.