Dear Virtual Family:

For the past 8 weeks, we have studied the Noble 8-fold path, the 4th of the 4 Noble truths. In a kind of Zen order, we have studied the last, first. Tonight, we look into the first of the Four Noble Truths- The Existence of Suffering/Stress. Thich Chan Phap Ho (Protection of the Dharma) guides us to look deeply into the fact that we have suffering, what it is, and how to handle it. We can bring our awarness to the reality of our suffering and bring our courageous Buddha nature in us to face it and not run away any more. If we can cultivate the courage and stability in ourselves necessary to turn toward our suffering, we are closer to the peace and freedom offered by our practice. We aren't afraid and we don't need to run away any more. We can look at the base situation and see what is the real suffering and what is our mind adding to the situation. Our teacher discusses the three poisons and the things that our suffering is often attached to. Remembering the original fear and the original desire, we can liberate ourselves in this life. Together, we can reflect on how transformation happens within us, and how we can be as alive and transformative as the beautiful Deer Park compost pile!

Please, sit with stability, breathe deeply, and enjoy this talk. It can bring a lot of healing to ourselves, our families, and our world.