Use code SUMMERPRACTICE for a 25% discount on all On Demand Courses through August 31.

Daily Meditation Recordings, with Ayala Gill – Week of December 11, 2023

Ayala Gill

We’re fortunate that Ayala Gill has generously offered to lead our daily meditation sessions for Europe and the UK. To find out more about Gill, and to view her other contributions to Sangha Live, click here. Recordings will be posted by the end of the day of the live session.

 

 

This week’s topic is “Embracing challenging emotions

 

There are no negative emotions, only ones that we find challenging to embrace, like anxiety, anger, grief and fear. When we relate to them in distorted ways, their expression is indeed negative. Over this week (at a time of year where they may be particularly triggered!) we will explore how to come into a sacred relationship with each of these challenging emotions.

 

Love

December 11, 2023

From Anxiety to Freedom

December 12, 2023

Links

Lao Tzu’s words: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/7638877-the-ancient-masters-were-profound-and-subtle-their-wisdom-was

From Anger to Grace

December 13, 2023

Links

Poem: When I walked with the moon by Ayala Gill

From Grief to Reverence

December 14, 2023

Links and resources

Adrift by Mark Nepo

Words by Rumi: “When the world brings you to your knees, you’re in the perfect position to pray.”

From Fear to Peace

December 15, 2023

Link:

Poem: Everything You Have Been Seeking by Ayala Gill:

Discover more from the Dharma Library

  • Liberation Now: From the Progressive Path to Direct Experience

    In a progressive path approach to practice, we sometimes fall for the idea that liberation is in the future. We are conditioned to believe that we must end thinking, master practices, meditate for years, and purify our minds. Without realizing it, our beliefs can maintain the conditioning that stands in the way of our direct…

    Read More

  • The Happiness of Emptiness

    Exploration of ultimate teachings requires listening, reflection/meditation rather than sitting to wait for an experience. Emptiness does not require experiences. The ultimate reveals the emptiness of self, ego, I and my – including self interest, self help and self compassion. This session will explore the contractions forming self and the way our minds have become…

    Read More

  • Blunt Suffering

    Let’s not flinch when we look at the lived experiences of illness, confusion, and relational pain. Let’s allow the texture of hurt to be known. Awareness remains brilliant, for sure. Any of us can experience this. Maybe the more we allow the blunt pain of the body-mind, the more we can sit squarely in awareness….

    Read More

  • The practice of love in times of hate

    The Buddha taught hate cannot be conquered by hate, but only by love; that this is the eternal law. What does this mean in our lives, and in the contentious and divisive times we live in?

    Read More

  • photo of Martin Aylward smiling

    Saddha: Unshakeable Confidence

    So many of us feel assailed by doubt, anxiety and insecurity. Unhelpful self-talk, along with the uncertainties of the world, heighten and reinforce thought tendencies. Dharma practice helps us recognize and uproot ingrained patterns, and also to establish trust, confidence and fearlessness. Our first Sunday Sangha of 2023 will inquire into what is deeply trustworthy, and point towards a confidence that is unshakeable — regardless of circumstance or preference, life or death.

    Read More

  • Justine Dawson

    Comfortable with Discomfort: How to be a Bodhisattva

    Our current situation is giving us great practice with discomfort. whether we’re experiencing small inconveniences or significant disruption. Dharma teaches us that this very discomfort is a gateway to realization. Once our efforts to soothe or transcend run dry, we gain the opportunity to develop insight, freedom, and true bodhisattva compassion. Compassion that is at…

    Read More