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Teacher: Tuere Sala
Date: 2016-04-05
Venue: Seattle Insight Meditation Center
Series
Description
This month we will continue with our exploration of the Four Noble Truths by taking a deeper look into the cause of suffering. We will be practicing with the Vipallasa or four distortions. The four are (1) taking that which is impermanent to be permanent; (2) pursuing satisfaction from that which is unsatisfactory; (3) assuming self where there is no self and (4) seeing the unattractive as attractive. These four distortions are the foundation for all our conditioning, clinging and grasping. They are hardwired into our human existence and show up in our thoughts, perceptions and views. They are the backbone of our opinions, assumptions, arguments and desires. Through stillness and awareness we can learn to see them for what they truly are – distortions of reality. Practicing with the four opens the door to the great liberation of the Four Noble Truths. Realizing the existence of suffering is the key. Investigating the cause of that suffering is the door. Seeing one of the distortions is what enable us to walk through the doorway to liberation. It is nearly impossible to continue along a path once we see the distortion behind our thoughts, perceptions and views, and letting go becomes a reality.
Homework
All conditioned phenomena and experiences are impermanent. When we deny this reality we create suffering. This week anytime you sense the presence of suffering consider this distortion. Could you be holding something as permanent? Were you expecting something to last longer? How much of the unpleasantness of this situation is directed at the object or situation not being the way you want it to be? Can you be still and allow the wisdom of impermanence to appear in the stillness.
Video
Link to view on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/162098052
TalkID=436 SeriesID=67
