insight meditation thoughts, possibly #1 in a series

[firecat]

Last summer kwamee introduced me to the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, where a sort of Buddhism is practiced. I've been going to their Monday night 45 minute sitting and talk about once a month.

I've had a sort of a rollercoastery few days. Tonight was no exception. For the first 30 minutes of the sitting I was too excited to concentrate. For the last 15 minutes I was half-dozing.

Part of the reason I like Buddhism is that there are a lot of lists. :) The talk was by Gil Fronsdal on the Seven Factors of Awakening.
1. Awareness / Mindfulness
2. Investigation
3. Energy
4. Joy
5. Relaxation / tranquility
6. Concentration
7. Equanimity

The main focus was on equanimity. I've felt that once or twice, I think. It's pretty cool.

I really like this meditation center because it is welcoming in a completely low-key way. And I really like Gil Fronsdal because he has a way of encouraging the consideration of ethical issues and meditation practices without any hints of "you should". I'm pretty allergic to hearing "you should" from other people, and most of the religious/spiritual organizations and people I've known over the years use it more than I can tolerate.

Comments

[ruth-lawrence.livejournal.com]

This sounds good to me, too :-)

I teenk I share your allergy, too.

[ljgeoff.livejournal.com]

How lovely! I would very much like access to such a place/event. There was a church I was going to that featured meditation, but it was very small and when the minister left (she retired), it got a aren't-we-so-very-evolved feeling, and I started going less and less.

I need more equanimity in my life.

[tedesson.livejournal.com]

I've been listening to their talks through AudioDharma.org for a long time. I like the variety of teachers, and the different life circumstances they have. And, I like how a lot of it is nothing special.

There's an rss feed of the podcasts, I usually get the latest ones through bloglines.

[fattest.livejournal.com]

Hey, in my insight meditation group tomorrow's talk is about Equanimity, too, as one of the four divine abodes (loving-kindness, joy, compassion, equanimity).

There are also some really great dharma talks online by teachers with the same bent as Gil Fronsdal, at http://dharmaseed.org/