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[personal profile] firecat
Last summer [livejournal.com profile] 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.

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firecat: red panda, winking (Default)
firecat (attention machine in need of calibration)

July 2025

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