The Path to End Suffering: Step Eight
December 11, 2023 | 7 CommentsAudio only version is here
Meditation practice begins at 13:58
Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you are well and enjoying this series of videos on foundational Buddhist teachings. So far, we have covered:
Right View
Right Intention
Right Speech
Right Action
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Today we move on to the final step, Right Concentration, which has more to do with letting go than trying harder.
I truly hope you have benefited from this exploration of the noble eightfold path. Please let me know what you learned, discovered, or were surprised by. I always love to hear from you!
Much love, Susan
categorized in: dharma, open heart project
7 Comments
Thank you so much for leading us through the eightfold path. The last step , right concentration, reminds me of something Steven Batchelor said about finding the dark velvet curtain during meditation, and once found, you are in a profound way changed forever. And the way to being in this place can come through wise effort or, perhaps more rarely, through love.
I think being a seeker , being present to all of life in a non judgemental way is my goal and I thank you, Susan for helping me along the way.🙏🏻♥️
Thank you Susan leading us through this path. I am now more clear of the path and will continue to explore/work on it 🙏
Thanks you so much Susan – I loved this series. One thought on right concentration: maybe it’s a bit like those old barbershop mirrors, where you see yourself reflected and that sees you reflecting and so on. It would seem to me that maybe it has to do with what the Buddha always referes to as “the purpose of a mirror”. Just a thought. Meanwhile thanks again!
Thank you so much Susan! Mission accomplished. I look forward to more of your teachings.
Your description of the noticer that is noticing etc; etc; and how there is a place where we ‘disappear’ reminds me of flow – of what I have experienced in photographing an event and getting so absorbed in the seeing… or, when I was teaching yoga on days when I was heartbroken and bereft and would walk in wondering ‘how am I going to do this?’ and then something larger/other than ‘me’ took over and sometimes they were my best classes.
I had the opportunity to share this video with a friend I’m visiting who I haven’t seen for decades. We watched the video and I shared with her what a difference you and the OHP have made in my life. Later, she thanked me and said it was helpful for her in walking into a potentially challenging meeting. I love it when I can share this wisdom and all its beauty, strength and humor.
Thank you for sharing your teaching on the eightfold path. I found it very helpful. Simple and understandable!!! Very grateful to you.
Wonderful thoughts! I am checking in after some weeks, and I am so glad I have!
It is quite comforting, as well as nourishing, to hear your explanations, Susan. I work in hospitality, and this season is always extremely challenging on several levels. The 8-fold path, especially under your gentle guidance, is helpful. I will have much to ponder while serving a big, important holiday dinner tonight.
I may not be able to let go of my inner observer, but just trying to stay in the moment, and address my demanding workload, and other sources of stress, nonjudgmentally, will be very very useful to me.
Thank you so much, for all you give to the universe. 🌹