#48 West Virginia

Bhante G has done it again!   That was Ajahn Amaro's approving quote on the cover of Bhante Gunaratna's second meditation instruction manual, Beyond Mindfulness in Plain English.    Bhante G, as he is affectionately known, is the abbot of the Bhavana Society in West Virginia.  

The program I watched is the only one in my journey that was not live, as by the time I got to West Virginia,  Bhante was in retreat (starting Dec. 15) so I had to watch and practice with a video from two weeks ago. 

I remember when my desire to go on a longer retreat arose thirteen years ago, I tried to get into one at the Bhavana Society, but could not, as they were strict about having had more experience than I did at the time.   A nine-day retreat was available at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, so I opted for that.  Both places are Theravadan and insight-based, but Bhavana Society has resident monks.  At this time, Bhavana society has a host of different visiting and practice options for lay persons, and everything is free.  

Bhante is a serious teacher, but endearing and easygoing at the same time.  It's a joy to share a teacher's warmth and laughter when they are considering some simple twist of everyday life.   Bhante was using the analogy of the sun, which brings light to all things, to awareness, and that made him giggle.  I can only imagine what he was remembering. 

Today (11/28's session) was the last of a series on 'Right Understanding', part of the Eightfold Path, and it was a no-nonsense trip through a significant portion of scriptural teaching from the Samaditti Sutta and more. 

Bhante began with a guided meditation, noticing changes in feeling, in the body leading to peacefulness of mind, and how desire and greed cannot abide there, and how sleepiness can be overcome by holding a deep breath and letting it out slowly (worked for me).  Thereafter, restlessness may arise and the bodily energies may need balancing.   The mind wanders like a pendulum into the past and future.  "The past is completely gone," said Bhante, "and the future has not come yet, therefore we are wasting out time to dwell in these mind states."   

Bhante suggested that we continue to notice the rise and fall of perception and consciousness, to be very alert, to arouse confidence in the Dhamma that the Buddha followed,  confidence in the Sangha, Buddha as well as confidence in one's own practice, and in one's self. 

Some great analogies illuminated right view: 

Desire is like debt, and we feel restless

Being angry is like being sick

Drowsiness is like being in a prison, nothing to see or do

Restlessness and worry are like slavery, never knowing when you will be punished

Doubt is like being in a desert with no road signs

And therefore it is good to increase happiness and concentration, and to see the aggregates of body, feelings, perception as coming and going and changing. 

Bhante detailed four types of Karma (action), including dark, light, mixed and neither, which lead to negative or positive results.  Of special importance was 'Karma that destroys Karma', or the volition to end all accumulations, even of good Karma.   I don't really get this part, but then my internal balance is off.  I find it helpful when diving deeply into these topics to remember that my mind is quite restless, and not beat myself up. 

We got a lot of lime bubbly water from the store and I've really enjoyed them.   But today I said to Jeanne, "Oh no, my enjoyment of this lime soda is fading, just as Bhante G had predicted."  

Everything fades but the spirit, which costs only the temporary joys you must leave at the door.