From zen and the art of saving the planet bookclub meeting on feb 14 2022
One Jeff Franklin highlighted these excerpts:
"This is why the point of departure for a new civilization must be a determination to not be 'colonized' by material goods--to rebel against materialism in favor of our need to be a human being" (137)
"In Buddhism the means and the ends should be identical. There is no path leading to happiness; the path is happiness itself." (161)
"You have to establish a strategy of mindful consuming with your loved ones and friend--a strategy to support and protect each other." (173)
"So, the truth is that, we have to learn how to transform our own suffering so we can be there for those who are suffering and need our help." (192-3)
Sister T.D. on training to listen: 1. follow our breathing; 2. aware of how the other's suffering affects our breathing; 3. practice the "art of not-interrupting"; 4. "cultivate a genuine curiosity"; 5. "keep our compassion alive during the whole time of listening" (198-99)
6. train in "hearing what's being left unsaid" (199)
simona: Could you share a time when you felt truly heard & listened to. What was that like in your body and what did the listener do to indicate that they were really listening? Share a time when you listened deeply. What was that like for you? What were the challenges?Is there a difficult dialogue that you are currently engaging in, and how may you be willing to shift?
Talking w/ Richard Brady in this session #3.Nice story about your walk with your friend. Seems that so many of my walks with friends include negative talk of some kind...leaving me unrefreshed.It's like talk is used to obliterate the discomfort of ill-being and confusion about myself.It's like talk is used to obliterate the discomfort of ill-being and confusion about myself.
"Acknowledging other person's feelings."
"Clearing" By Martha Postlethwaite Do not try to save the whole world or do anything grandiose. Instead, create a clearing in the dense forest of your life and wait there patiently, until the song that is your life falls into your own cupped hands and you recognize and greet it. Only then will you know how to give yourself to this world so worthy of rescue.
