NEW BOOK Starting June 12th

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We’re starting a new book on June 12th:  MINDFULNESS, A Practical Guide to Awakening by Joseph Goldstein. The book is available on Amazon in Kindle, Softcover & Hardcover and used from other booksellers at lower prices.

Please contact Nadine if you’re interested in joining the study group.  We meet every Tuesday between 2-4 and anyone is welcome to participate.

“Joseph Goldstein shares the wisdom of his four decades of teaching and practice in a book that will serve as a lifelong companion for anyone committed to mindful living and the realization of inner freedom.

“Goldstein’s source teaching is the Satipatthana Sutta, the Buddha’s legendary discourse on the four foundations of mindfulness that became the basis for the many types of Vipassana (or insight meditation) found today. Exquisite in detail yet wholly accessible and relevant for the modern student, Mindfulness takes us through a profound study of:

  • Ardency, clear knowing, mindfulness, and concentration—how to develop these four qualities of mind essential for walking the path wisely
  • The Satipatthana refrain—how deeply contemplating the four foundations of mindfulness opens us to bare knowing and continuity of mindfulness
  • Mindfulness of the body, including the breath, postures, activities, and physical characteristics
  • Mindfulness of feelings—how the experience of our sense perceptions influences our inner and outer worlds
  • Mindfulness of mind—learning to recognize skillful and unskillful states of mind and thought
  • Mindfulness of dhammas (or categories of experience), including the Five Hindrances, the Six Sense Spheres, the Seven Factors of Awakening, and much more

“There is a wealth of meaning and nuance in the experience of mindfulness that can enrich our lives in unimagined ways,” writes Goldstein. In Mindfulnessyou have the tools to mine these riches for yourself.”

Book Study – Jump Right In!

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When I was asked to write something about the book study groups, the one Nadine leads in La Misión and the one Mary Conteras and Carol Clary have in north Rosarito, the thought that inspired me to do this was about fear. Fear and aging.

I’m remembering that the idea of posting something was to make sure everyone who may be considering joining who’s new and never been before, or hasn’t been for a while, knows it is easy to join right in where you are. Even though the La Misión group is in it’s 4th year, Nadine uses past as well as current books as illustrations which ties things together. Even though the Rosarito group is newer, I imagine Mary and Carol do something similar. So if you’re thinking of getting in touch with them about joining as these new books are beginning, both on Tuesday afternoons, please feel free to do that.:

Buddha is as Buddha Does by Lama Surya Das in La Misión
Judgment Detox by Gabrielle Bernstein in the north
(Click on the book images to purchase books on Amazon)

Buddha is as Buddha Does by Lama Surya Das

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And a great reason to do that is to learn alternatives to the fear based living that most of us were indoctrinated into by just living in today’s world. We are learning and experiencing that there are simple ways of changing the way we think, our perceptions turn out to be choices! Who knew. So when we become aware of that, we can consciously make different choices and that can just automatically and naturally change everything. Yep, pretty much everything—relationships of all kinds, from life partners to kids, neighbors, even people you only see on TV!

Most of the people in these groups will tell you they are freer of fear in general, more peaceful and happier, kinder, gentler.

Observations have shown over these many decades that if we’re fearful in our thirties, forties etc., unless we do something about it, unless we really take on learning new ways of being in life, fears, insecurities, feelings of vulnerability increase exponentially. You know older people who are angry, hostile, depressed, and the basis for most of that is in fear.

It does take time, like reading and getting together to discuss and share experiences every week. Those of us who are doing it are here to tell you it’s worth it—for us. Might be for you too. You’re welcome, jump in!

~Anna Zimmerman