Mindfulness

Question 1

The “good news” of Buddhism

Answer 1

Although we are characterized by our human suffering there is a solution, being
* Solved at the level of consciousness, not material change
* Suffering can be solved through personal change

Question 2

Role of Human Suffering

Answer 2

o Human suffering exists and characterizes our existence
Buddhist philosophy sees this and characterizes our existence
* Old age
* Sickness
* Death

Question 3

The origins of Buddhism

Answer 3

oArose during the time of the Upanishads
Hinduism argued for existence of absolute being (atman)
oBuddhism argued for no absolute being (anatman)
No ultimate truth, being, or entity permanently exists
o GODS CANNOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF HUMAN SUFFERING

Question 4

Nih svabhava

Answer 4

“no own being”
Radical impermanence
* Things that appear to permanent are NOT so, all things are in a constant state of radical flux, all things will die, be undermined, be forgotten

Question 5

Samsara and Nirvana

Answer 5

Samsara = process of birth -> death -> rebirth
Nirvana = release from samsara
-nirvana is ineffable
-is possible here and now

Question 6

How to live free of delusion?

Answer 6

To become awake we must know our impermanent nature of our existence, then we can learn that life is not about attachments

Question 7

Vikalpas

Answer 7

Describes a critique on language as language is the error in our mind, we perpetuate the idea of permanence and project temporary constructs onto our experience (I am a psychologist, father)

Question 8

Are our selves separate or distinct?

Answer 8

This is fiction because we are all deeply imbedded in the world around us

Question 9

Whats the importance of meditation?

Answer 9

We can destroy the created fantasies

Question 10

Dukkha

Answer 10

o Radical flux is painful
 The fundamental nature of our existence is painful especially because of our tendency to form attachments
o We attach ourselves to things that are impermanent
 PEOPLE ARE IN CONSTANT FLUX
o How do we cope?
 we blind ourselves the inheret truths of our existence
 we buy things
 WE DRINK WE DRUG WE SEX OURSELVES

Question 11

Smrti

Answer 11

Mindfulness
 Being touch with and aware of the present
 Many ways to practice mindfulness
 How does awareness lead to nirvana?
* We can cut off bad thinking

Question 12

o How does one become awakened?

Answer 12

Tune into the present moment (the joy and peace of the here and now)

Question 13

Sidarta Gautama

Answer 13

“the one who is aware”
No one can escape that LIFE IS SUFFERING, but the resolution for Gautama is to reach enlightenment and teach it to others

Question 14

The four noble truths

Answer 14

1. Suffering (dukkha) characterizes life and is universal
2. Desire and ignorance (attachments) cause suffering with the 3 consuming fires (greed, hatred, delusion)
3. Suffering can be overcome by eliminating attachments
4. To overcome suffering, follow the Eightfold Path

Question 15

The eightfold path

Answer 15

Seeks neither self gratification nor self-mortification/ it is the middle way

Question 16

Prajñā

Answer 16

o Wisdom
Right understanding (all of life is impernant and everything is interconnected), right view (we can apply the knowledge by detach from the strong attachments)

Question 17

Sila

Answer 17

“behavior”
 Right speech
* We don’t speak too much or abuse or tell lies
 Right action
* We don’t kill, steal, engage in profane sexual behavior (objectifying other)
 Right livelihood
* No becoming a warrior

Question 18

samadhi

Answer 18

“Meditation”
 Right mindfulness
 Right effort
* The intentional effort to cultivate a meditative attitude
 Right concentration
* Cultivating evermore deep states of meditative absorption

Question 19

Zazen practice

Answer 19

-Hard part is remembering to do it
-Let go of attachments
-Break free of conditioned responses
-Attend to your breathing
-Thoughts as bubbles

Question 20

Jon Kabat-Zinn

Answer 20

Zen psychotherapist to bring clients into spaces of non-attachment

Question 21

Brown and ryan

Answer 21

 Mindfulness defined
* Relaxed attention and awareness
* Non-defensive
* Facilitates choice
 Mindfulness and psychological health