Join us for Open House this Sunday:

10am – 11am Meditation instruction and sitting
11am – 12pm Talk and discussion
12 pm – Refreshments and socializing

This month’s topic: Uncertainty

Our lives generally appear to have a sense of certainty. Things go along in a predictable way. We get up in the morning, expecting the usual events to happen: go to work, school, or, whatever we do. We think, “This is normal, events going in this way.” In truth, however, the world is unpredictable. Our partner could say, “I don’t want to be with you any more.” Our employer might say “There’s not enough work; you’re laid off.” Our program may be defunded; there could be a tsunami, or a flat tire. Anything could happen. The world is unpredictable. We could ask, “Is there anything that is certain?” The teachings of Shambhala state that there is a basic confidence in being able to stay with anything that comes up in life. We call this inherent confidence. It is not dependent on anything at all. This view is encouraged by the practice of meditation. We learn to hold our seat, touch, and explore our experience, encouraging a posture that is open and stable, appreciating the world around us. We find that, in fact, we could ride uncertainty.

“One great question underlies our experience, whether we think about it or not: what is the purpose of life? From the moment of birth every human being wants happiness and does not want suffering. Neither social conditioning nor education nor ideology affects this. From the very core of our being, we simply desire contentment. Therefore, it is important to discover what will bring about the greatest degree of happiness”

- His Holiness Dalai Lama XIV Tendzin Gyatso

Join us for “Soft Heart, Strong Back: Contentment in Everyday Life,” Tuesdays 6:30 – 8:30pm starting Sep 27. Register at http://pioneervalley.shambhala.org