Creative Mind — The Buddhist Way to What is Real
How our views and stories lock us down or free us
This summer we’ll be exploring how the views we hold and the stories we tell ourselves can either keep us locked in to painful habits, or free us from our suffering.
The Buddha described the philosophical and religious positions of his day as a ‘thicket of views,’ and described Nirvana or Enlightenment as being beyond views. This means that true freedom is a direct experience that cannot be adequately described in words or captured in concepts about Reality.
And yet the Buddha had a great deal to say about the path to true freedom, describing views as being either helpful or unhelpful when walking that path and finding a way to end suffering. The Buddha found ways to communicate his own direct experience, not by describing it exactly but by showing us how best to get there ourselves!
All are welcome for our summer of liberation! As the Buddha said, “Come and see.”
Our full calendar is below. Please note, all days described as ‘meditation in the park’ will not take place at Gateway Taiji or on Zoom. We will meet in Prescott Park under the trees near the large flagpole. Please bring either a chair, or a blanket and cushions for yourself. And, if you like, feel free to bring a vegetarian bagged lunch for a picnic after meditation!
*Every Sunday, 10-11:30am. These mornings will include meditation, a short talk and discussion. Everyone is welcome! We will be meeting in-person at Gateway Taiji, 875 Islington St, Portsmouth, with a Zoom option. Offered by donation, $5-$15 suggested. If you’d like to attend by Zoom, we’ll send the Zoom link upon registration, or simply sign up for our weekly email which includes the link. Please bring your own water bottle or thermos; we have meditation cushions and chairs at the studio.
Every Sunday, 10-11:30am. These mornings will include meditation, a short talk and discussion. Everyone is welcome! We will be meeting in-person at Gateway Taiji, 875 Islington St, Portsmouth, with a Zoom option. Offered by donation, $5-$15 suggested. If you’d like to attend by Zoom, we’ll send the Zoom link upon registration, or simply sign up for our weekly email which includes the link.
May
21 The Way to Wisdom
28 Memorial Day Weekend (no gathering)
June
4 Mind: Reactive and Creative
11 The Taste of Freedom: Eight Strange and Wonderful Things About the Dharma
18 The Spiral Path of Liberation part 1
25 The Spiral Path of Liberation part 2
July
2 Meditation in the Park
9 Getting off Autopilot: Habit and Creativity
16 Stop Going Through the Motions: Superficiality and Commitment
23 No Doubt: Vagueness and Clarity
30 Ethics and Liberation: Freedom from Unskillfulness
August
6 Meditation and Liberation: Freedom from the Five Hindrances
13 Wisdom and Liberation: Freedom from Upside-down Views
20 Lessons from the Gotami Sutta: Knowing the Dharma by its Fruits
27 Lessons from the Honeyball Sutta: Freedom from Reactivity
September
3 Meditation in the Park
10 Buddhism and Social Liberation