7 Qualities of the Dharmic Person: Part 2
February 6, 2023 | 5 CommentsAudio-only version is here.
Meditation practice begins at 12:11.
Dear Open Heart Project,
Hello! I hope you are well.
This video is the second in this series, “The Seven Qualities of the Dharmic Person” (aka you). These qualities arise organically from our meditation practice.
The first quality, passionlessness, was discussed here. I include the link in case you missed it/are interested, but you don’t have to go back and watch if you’d rather not. You can jump in right here, with dharmic quality #2: contentment.
As I mention in the short talk that precedes our meditation practice, most of us are not on speaking terms with contentment. In fact, we are actively discouraged from it! Instead, we are continually urged to move faster, acquire more, go further…just keep moving. Why?! Of course we have ambitions and plans (I know I do) but what usually happens when we accomplish our ambitions or execute our plans is…they begin to feel valueless. If I can do it, it must not be that great, better keep pushing, trying, efforting, more, more, more. At least that’s what my inner voices say.
I’ve discovered that more I experiment with contentment—basic satisfaction with who I am and what I possess—the more energy and joy I have. Energy and joy turn out to be far more efficacious in accomplishing things (not to mention a general sense of well-bing) than constantly shoving myself to assume a different, better, more impressive shape.
How does one accomplish such contentment? Have a listen! As always, I love to hear your responses.
Love, Susan
PS Look for the next video soon on dharmic quality #3, “fewer activities.”
categorized in: meditation, open heart project
5 Comments
Well Done / Said Susan, Contentment was for me ,coming out of the world of “Recovery” was a Paradox When I started looking at Eastern, (buddhist), teachings. Recovery had me constantly Moving, Looking at Myself , at Short Coming’s, (12 Steps), Character Traits,etc. As I began to develop a Practice, Look at dharma’s , Listen to Teachers, and Mentors, You,(the Open Heart Project), Tara, Jack KornField, Esspically Thay, I slowly began to notice that I didn’t need to Know / Understand this or that Right Away. I needed to Listen , Read, and Practice More, and as I moved in this Direction, often it was others that commented on my being a little more paticent, tolerant, even a little more Quiet, less Anger in my self, When I began to see this in myself I realized I was “Grasping” Less at Knowledge, serenity,Peace of Mind, Mindfulness, but I haden’t stoped working towards these, I Had at Times “Contentment” that I Knew I was on The Right Path, moving in the Right Direction. This Contentment was accompanyed By a Sense of Calm !!
Always glad to hear about your journey, Kevin!
You always make perfect sense to me 😊
<3
My wife and I knew Joseph Campbell quite well. He attended our wedding and gave us a beautiful leather bound copy of Baudelaire”s poetry. He was a remarkable man.