Regretably, we are having some technical software problems, so there’s no .mp3 post for this talk. We are taking steps to fix the problems, so hopefully the posts will resume as usual next week. Here are the notes Peter prepared for the talk: NEGOTIATING A MIDDLE WAY The gist of the talk presented some of the principles of Right Speech in the context of modern strategies for interpersonal conflict resolution.
The Fish Lake Sangha, a local Zen group in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, will initiate a series of memorial meetings this Sunday, the 31st, to commemorate those lost at the Pulse Nightclub. Here is the attached announcement providing more detailed information: 49 Day Ceremony Invitation
This week’s talk continues to explore how Buddhist principles and practices can support developing wisdom in the current political environment. Racism, sexism, homophobia and ethnophobia were described as themes woven into the fabric of political divisiveness. The intention regarding this presentation is to support being able to stay presently aware and compassionate when confronted by political “true believers” and prejudicial beliefs in either political party. A model for this practice is found in the Tibetan practice called “Lojong Mind Training”, the core of which is the practice of compassion.
The cultivation of mental clarity and emotional non-reactivity through regular meditation practice was emphasized; this provides the foundation for compassion, transforming fear-based contentiousness into compassionate interpersonal dialogue.
Peter reviewed some of the pertinent lojong training aphorisms to foster discussion about how these practices can be applied during our social encounters.
Here are the notes prepared for this discussion: BUDDHISM POLITICS AND NONSELF
Here is the document prepared by Peter previously to provide a more modern rendering of lojong mind training: Peter’s Lojong Practice Notes
Next week’s discussion will focus on conflict resolution dialogue and strategies, supported by the training provided by routine mindfulness and lovingkindness practices.
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This talk follows on the previous talk entitled “Mindfulness And Political Judgment” from July 6. Peter again emphasized the intention of the talk is to demonstrate that rigid thinking and the potential for aggression, psychologically termed “conservatism” is evident in the current political conflicts, whether the conservative is a republican or democrat. The psychological terms negativity bias and confirmation bias were associated with the Buddhist concepts of craving and clinging, respectively. The neuroscientific evidence that differentiates psychological conservatism and liberalism was described. Peter pointed out that the neurological changes fostered by mindfulness and lovingkindness practices, combined with the principles of the Four Noble Truths, can be termed as liberal, that is, inclusive, open-minded and tolerant of different views. The qualities of liberalism just mentioned are very important for resolving the interpersonal hostility and fear that seems to dominate current social commentary.
Here are the notes for this talk: HOW MINDFULNESS CULTIVATES POLITICAL WISDOM
Next week will introduce exploration of the conflicted issues that contribute to the current political/cultural distress, such as racism, sexism, homophobia, etc.
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This talk continues to explore how Buddhist principles and practices can be beneficially applied during this contentious U. S. political season. There is a phenomenon called “negativity bias”, which predisposes a person to unconsciously be stimulated by potential dangers towards negativity in response to the circumstances. This applies to both Democrats and Republicans. Within both parties, negativity bias orients individuals and groups towards conservative positions, that is, becoming defensive/aggressive, with rigid thought processes. Liberal orientations promote more open-minded, adaptive and integrative dynamics, and these orientations can exist in both political parties, as well as those inclined towards registering as Independents or Libertarians.
This conversation will be continued with next week’s topic, provisionally entitled “How Mindfulness Cultivates Political Wisdom”. Here are the notes prepared for this discussion: MINDFULNESS AND POLITICAL JUDGMENT
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