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My first visit to the local Buddhist Association

sobergirlsobergirl
edited November 2011 in Buddhism Basics
I went to a Dhamma sharing class tonight with my husband and daughter. It was wonderful! The first part is an hour long meditation (which is the longest I have ever meditated...by far) followed by an hour of Dhamma. The discussion was on the five hinderances of meditation practice, jhanas and the footprints of Buddha.

I cried a bit when she was listing and describing each of the hindrances as early this year I had stopped all meditation due to terrifying flashbacks from my childhood. She described how having thoughts come up that we have an urge to run or change. And it's normal. I'm normal! The best way I can describe my experience tonight is "at home". Comfortable and safe.

Unfortunately, this was the last Dhamma sharing of this year. The head nun is off to China for a few weeks and will reconvene the classes in the new year. I'll definitely be registering. In the meantime there is two daily meditations...no excuses now.

Comments

  • aMattaMatt Veteran
    edited November 2011
    I cried a bit when she was listing and describing each of the hindrances as early this year I had stopped all meditation due to terrifying flashbacks from my childhood. She described how having thoughts come up that we have an urge to run or change. And it's normal. I'm normal! The best way I can describe my experience tonight is "at home". Comfortable and safe.
    Thank you for sharing, the acceptance really shines through in your touching words.

    I find it funny how abnormal we think we are, and yet, how a great and compassionate teacher can accept us, help us realize how incredibly normal we are, and remains so uncompromisingly present that we know without a doubt the path of liberation is open to us if we wish to walk it.

  • compassionate_warriorcompassionate_warrior Veteran
    Sobergirl, we've had other members say that meditation brings up memories of old wounds they either thought they'd dealt with long ago, or didn't want to deal with. How wonderful to find out you're normal! And what a timely teaching, the one time you attend before the head nun leaves for awhile. It's an omen of some sort, a good one. :)
  • Floating_AbuFloating_Abu Veteran
    Sounds great, sobergirl. Thanks for sharing.
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