En kort guidad meditation för att sitta i naturen med din upplevelse – den yttre världen med alla sinnesintryck och den inre världen av förnimmelser, känslor och bilder. (21 juli 2022) 
En knapp vecka mediterade jag på klipporna på Söderklobben, en liten ö i Ekenäs skärgård, sydvästra Finland, som tillhör min vän Jukka.

Sitta med naturen

A conversation about race and the possibilities of connecting beyond fear towards hope.

The construct of race is an integral part of Western society’s DNA and if we are to address the social injustice of racism, we need to have the race conversation. Yet all too often, attempts at such a dialogue are met with silence, denial, anger or hate.

Is it possible to navigate diverse conversations about race without confusion? Can we authentically create a culture capable of responding to the pain and discomfort caused by racism for both people of colour and white people? These questions lie at the heart of this heartfelt conversation between Bodhilila, Chair of the West London Buddhist Centre and Eugene Ellis, acclaimed author of 'The Race Conversation: An essential guide to creating life-changing dialogue’.

Eugene’s work encompasses trauma theory and the vital need to resource inner conditions in engaging with others. Exploring the Buddhist perspective of conditionality, he emphasizes the significance of intention and working with discomfort within our conversations. As Bodhilila brings to bear her own profound experiences around race, intersectionality and Dharma practice, the discussion delves deep into the race construct, examining the profound impact of prejudice, colonialism, and slavery on individuals of all races. 

The creation of safe environments where people can openly share their experiences is vital, allowing us to acknowledge the fear that can arise when engaging in these conversations. This, in turn, enables us to move past blame towards repairing relationships and alleviating the more negative forms of shame. What emerges is a passionate advocacy for personal introspection and doing the work to understand our own racial conditioning and perspectives. Only then can we take responsibility and actively seek avenues for redress and healing.

Recorded live in London, November 2022.

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Bodhilila has been meditating and practising mindfulness for over 25 years. She is a fully accredited Breathworks mindfulness trainer as well as a qualified counsellor, teacher and massage therapist. She also worked for many years as a classical musician and as a nursery manager. She is currently Chair of the West London Buddhist Centre, where she has been teaching meditation, mindfulness and Buddhism, as well as helping to run the Centre, since 2012. She regularly leads retreats for the WLBC and at Taraloka women’s retreat centre.

Eugene Ellis is an activist, writer and public speaker on issues of race, difference and intersectionality. He is also the founder and director of The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network (BAATN), a network of therapists committed, passionate and actively engaged in addressing the psychological needs of Black, African and South Asian people in the UK.

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The Race Conversation With Bodhilila and Eugene Ellis (The Buddhist Centre Podcast, Episode 441)

In today's FBA Dharmabyte, The Four Limitless States by Sangharakshita.

In Buddhist practice, the traditional method of choice for effecting positive change in one's life is meditation. Here Sangharakshita takes a closer look, focussing on the 'superconscious states' (characterised in turn by integration, inspiration, permeation, and radiation), the practice of developing universal friendliness, and the distinction between calm and Insight.

Talk given in 1976.

From the talk, A Method of Personal Development, given as part of the series Buddhism for Today and Tomorrow.

A Method of Personal Development

Dharmabytes Podcast #709 "The Four Limitless States"

Today's FBA Dharmabyte is Expanding Views by Nandaraja.

From the talk Empathising with the Enemy given on a People of Colour Sangha Day retreat.

Empathising with the Enemy

Dharmabytes Podcast #710 "Expanding Views"

Mahamati gave a talk on the many blessings of sadhana at the November 2018 UK and Ireland Men’s Area Order Weekend at Adhisthana.

The weekend was hosted by some of the UK based members of the College of Public Preceptors but it was also the first gathering after the death of Bhante Urgyen Sangharakshita.

The theme of the weekend was sadhana - “Among our many gifts from Bhante is sadhana. Sadhana can encompass our whole Dharma life. It can be a doorway into a world of meaning and mystery, insight and magic." The first part of Mahamati’s talk is a general discussion of sadhana including the process in the order following ‘Re-imagining the Buddha’ up to the present, and in the second part he discusses distinctive features of sadhana.

Recorded at Adhisthana, November 2018.

The Many Blessings of Sadhana

Mahamati: The Many Blessings of Sadhana

A wonderful first talk of the 2019 International Gathering, whose theme is 'Alchemy of the Dharma'. The utterly delightful Ratnaguna takes us through the true miracle of transforming ourselves via the magic of a practice in which we also learn to let ourselves change. 

This is a beautiful, reflective, funny take on the challenges of the Dharma life. Ratnaguna's breadth of reference is itself a joy: taking in Greek philosophy, Hans Christian Andersen, and writings on the nearness of death to life in any moment. All pointing to, opening into, an experience of freedom and deep beauty.

Listen out for his rendition of the Ugly Ducking song!

More at https://thebuddhistcentre.com/internationalretreat

Ratnaguna - Transforming Self (Triratna International Gathering 2019)

Sanghamani with a great second talk from the 2019 Triratna International Gathering. Her theme on this Alchemy of the Dharma weekend is how we can transform ourselves in order to transform our communities. And she leads with fearlessness in discussing her own work and practice in this regard.

As a fundraiser at the cutting edge of the practice of connection – trying to forge a sense of mutually vital relationship with strangers (who are not necessarily pleased to find you at their door!)– Sanghamani calls on her rich experience of helping people move beyond their own fear. She also shares some moving accounts of her own transformation from an isolated, angry, pained young adulthood into someone who has dedicated her life to a path of love and its exemplification. In this she stands before us as a "luminous pearl" of that commitment to live in harmony with others. 

For more: https://thebuddhistcentre.com/internationalretreat

Sanghamani - Transforming Sangha (Triratna International Gathering 2019)

In the third and final talk from the 2019 Triratna International Gathering, Prasadacarin explores the theme of 'transforming world'. Taking 'everything is burning with the three fires of greed, hatred and delusion' as his starting point, he poses the question: what are the alternatives to these fires?

The three jewels of the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha are a framework that could transform the world and Prasadacarin draws out what each jewel or refuge can offer. 

Building on the previous days' themes of transforming self and transforming through Sangha, Prasadacarin expresses the conviction  that making the Dharma available is our main responsibility and shares his confidence will help fundamentally change society for the better.

For more: thebuddhistcentre.com/internationalretreat

Prasadacarin - Transforming World (Triratna International Gathering 2019)

The second in a series of talks from the 2019 Triratna International Council. This year's theme is major elements from the Dharma biography of Sangharakshita, Triratna's founder, which are of wider relevance to anyone endeavouring to lead a Buddhist life. 

Aryajaya explores Sangharakshita's relationship to his teachers, who form the lineage for the Triratna Buddhist Order. A lovely exploration of the experience of relationship to the Bodhisattvas of Buddhist tradition via meditations passed from teacher to disciple, evoking a wide open sense of connection to the great beauty they represent.

For more, follow thebuddhistcentre.com/internationalcouncil

Aryajaya - Sangharakshita’s First Connection With His Teachers And Receiving Practices

The third in a series of talks from the 2019 Triratna International Council. This year's theme is major elements from the Dharma biography of Sangharakshita, Triratna's founder, which are of wider relevance to anyone endeavouring to lead a Buddhist life. 

Lokeshvara recounts some of his own encounters with Sangharakshita and highlights some great quotes to delve into three key areas: setting up a context for people to share their lives; "the fundamental view" of Triratna's approach to the Dharma; and ways to make decisions. An excellent primer for our day's conversation at the International Council (we expect the conversations will last a lifetime).

For more, follow https://thebuddhistcentre.com/internationalcouncil

Lokeshvara - Setting Up The Order And Movement (Triratna International Council 2019)

The last in a series of talks from the 2019 Triratna International Council. This year's theme is major elements from the Dharma biography of Sangharakshita, Triratna's founder, which are of wider relevance to anyone endeavouring to lead a Buddhist life.

This talk begins with Dhammarati's intimate account of his immediate personal experience of the death of his teacher. From there, this talk blossoms into a deeply felt manifesto about the practice of harmony as way to cultivate insight into the nature of reality as a community, and as an individual within a community. It's also about how sanghas can survive the death of their founder and flourish. 

Taking in Sangharakshita himself on the future of the Order he founded, William Blake, the Cetokhila Sutta, and the Karaniya Metta Sutta, Dhammarati offers a condensed, down-to-earth guide to working with others as a practice that conduces to the good of all.

For more, follow https://thebuddhistcentre.com/internationalcouncil

Dhammarati - Looking Ahead A Little Way

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The Race Conversation With Bodhilila and Eugene Ellis (The Buddhist Centre Podcast, Episode 441)

The Buddhist Centre

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