Gil speaks about the concept of self and not-self. For all the teachings of not-self (anatta) in Buddhism, there is also the concept of the great self (mahatma). Early texts show the character of the Buddha as someone with a very advanced self-concept. He had a strong sense of identity and gave accounts of his experiences and spiritual capacities in the first person. What is the relationship between being spiritually awake and the concept of self? Gil explains that early Buddhist tradition did not try to answer the question of “who am I” initially. Instead, it raises other questions such as “what is freedom?” What is it to be psychologically and spiritually free from the shackles of our own mind? The beginning of wisdom is recognizing that our mental traps exist in the first place. The ancient tradition teaches us to develop our self as an island refuge. From this refuge, we may observe the deceptions and patterns of our mind. Understanding how we are caught in our own traps allows us to overcome them and become free from the vise of self.   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How does spiritual practice work when we are out in the world and not around those who are committed to being loving all the time? Eventually, we discover that everything is love. Mirabai tells her story of life after the passing of Neem Karoli Baba in 1973. Leaving her community in India, Mirabai asked the question, “How can you be in a world you are not creating and still go where there is no love?” Finding direction in the wisdom of her guru, Mirabai set out on a journey that took her and her family across the world. In her journey, she experienced and learned to see love in everyone. Learning that there really is no them and us. Instead, it is all just us and everything is love. “Never go where there is no love” – Neem Karoli Baba. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Saints and Sonnets, guest teacher, Mirabai Starr, shares with us the poetry and stories of two Spanish mystic saints who shared a deep devotion and who held a love for God in their heart that burned like fire. Mirabai gives a rich historical context to the lives of St. Teresa of Ávila and St. John of the Cross, and brings many parallels to the eastern spiritual experience. How do we turn our suffering in the darkest of times into a candle of hope? Show Notes 01:15 - After a brief introduction Mirabai begins to tell us of the intertwined stories of, St.John of the Cross and Teresa of Ávila. Both were influenced by the teachings of Judaism and Islam before converting to Catholicism. We are given a better understanding of how their cultural background and Spain's history of mysticism informed their teachings and work. 04:44 - The early life and visionary experiences of Teresa are explored. It is explained via these experiences, that Teresa calls raptures, are very similar to what the Indian saints call samadhi. It is not long however before she attracted the attention of the Inquisition which would come to a head later in life. 09:50 - We jump forward one generation to St. John of the Cross. Born in 1542 to a poor family, John worked as a boy in a nearby hospice to support his parents and siblings. He quickly drew notice with the unique loving-kindness and care he showed the patients there. John is sent by the church to the University of Salamanca on scholarship to study Catholicism, where he is exposed to Islamic teachings as well. 12:15 - Back to 1535, we find Teresa entering the Order of the Carmelites on mount Carmel in modern day northern Isreal. She sees the order as having strayed from its roots and given into materialism and political corruption. Teresa begins a reform that seeks to return to the more contemplative tradition. This is a labor she spends most of her life seeing through to completion. 12:55 - Much later in 1571, struggling with her reformation of the Carmelite Order, Teresa hears stories of the 23-year-old John and summons him to her. John shared her views on reformation and agreed to help Teresa with her efforts. They met quick success and formed the Discalced (barefoot) Carmelite Order, which quickly spreads across the Catholic world. 15:25 - In return for his efforts in helping Teresa reform the order, John is imprisoned by the Inquisition. For nine months he was kept isolated in a cell atop a Spanish monastery. John passed the days by creating and reciting poetry. Through unknown means, John eventually escapes his captivity. Miraculously, he follows a black dog away from the monastery and is led to a local Discalced convent whose nuns brought John back to health. While recovering at the convent, John writes his most famous poem "Dark Night of the Soul", which John called an outpouring of love for God from his soul. 19:40 - Mirabai reads an excerpt from "Dark Night of the Soul", and discusses the meaning behind some of the stanzas. 24:35 - A comparison between Ram Dass's teachings of ego, soul, and with the Christian teachings of Via Negative, the way of negation. 28:11 - A reading of "Keeping Quiet", by Pablo Neruda. 30:30 - A reading of "O My Friends", by Mira Bai 31:40 - Reflections on the journey of the soul. 33:15 - A reading of "Love Dogs", by Rumi. 34:55 - Question and Response  with Mirabai and crowd. Starting with a question on how we know the difference between legitimate accounts of saints and hagiography. 40:10 - How to maintain faith during our personal "dark night of the soul" experience. 46:20 - Mirabai continues the "Q&R" with questions on dealing with paradoxes and trying to grasp at epiphanies.   For events news and more from Mirabai, visit her website. Mirabai Starr writes, speaks and leads retreats on the inter-spiritual teachings of the mystics. Known for her revolutionary translations of John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila, and Julian of Norwich, Mirabai renders mystical masterpieces accessible, beautiful, and relevant to a contemporary circle of seekers. Her commentaries on the interconnected wisdom of all traditions are lyrical and evocative. She builds bridges not only between religious traditions, but also between contemplative life and compassionate service, between cultivating an inner relationship with the Beloved and expressing that intimacy in community, between the transformational power of loss and longing for the sacred. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This talk from Roshi Joan Halifax looks at reversing the dynamic of the defended heart, and finding strength in vulnerability. Roshi reflects on: - How our practice can confirm our inherent strength to uphold ourselves in the midst of any conditions. - To practice or realize fundamental equanimity and stay absolutely tender hearted. - "We are plagued by fear--fear in the experience of a separate and solid self. Which we need to define and defend." - At times even our own spirituality can be put out there as a defense. - Love is a meltdown that re-establishes a more unified base of brilliance goodness and sadness.   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.