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FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 23

We can also train ourselves to maximize experiences
that are wholesome and uplifting, even in the midst of
the challenging situation we find ourselves in. When we
experience a sense of peace, even if fleeting, we can let
this experience permeate our awareness, and stay with
it. If we see something beautiful, we can then pause for
a while, and let that experience of beauty and inspiration
inspire and uplift us. Taking even just 30 seconds or
a minute to pause, slow down and appreciate what is
Sunday School activities at Waikato.
beautiful and wholesome, can help our minds become
more bright. By doing this, even just for short periods
many times, we will be able to strengthen the qualities
of inspiration, gratitude, and peacefulness within. By
strengthening these qualities within us, we are able to
cultivate a greater degree of resilience inside, and lessen
the impact of the challenges in which we find ourselves.

Also at the core of Buddhist teachings is the truth of
unsatisfactoriness (dukkha). Saṃsāra is uncertain,
Giving a talk after lunch dana in the Sunday School with Bhante Metteyya,
chief monk of Waikato Compassion Meditation Centre, a local Sri Lankan unsatisfactory and painful. The pandemic brings us face
Temple. https://www.hamiltonbuddhistmeditation.org.nz/about to face with this aspect of reality. When we can accept
the reality of suffering and don’t resist it, it will bring a
allow to occupy our minds. One example of this would greater sense of peace in the midst of difficulties.
be to be careful with what we consume in terms of the
media. Although it is good to be informed citizens so When our normal external supports drop away, we
that we can respond to events wisely, we also need to must rely much more on the internal strengths and
carefully observe the effects that media consumption resources that we have developed. As Buddhists
has on our minds. we are at an advantage here, as we have so many
contemplations on the painful and unsatisfactory nature
If there are things we need to think through, then we of existence, techniques for developing equanimity, and
should do so accordingly. However, if we do not have contemplations on impermanence.
enough information to think things through clearly, then
we need to be careful to stay in the present moment and Developing compassion and wisdom are the main
give our attention to one thing at a time. We should not learnings, for knowing that if we cannot change outside
let our minds get swept away in loops of anxiety and circumstances, we can change our mind.
worry that might arise in response to the uncertainties
As a result of the pandemic, it is now not possible
we are facing.
to meet up with friends for a chat, go shopping,
have dinners, or even attend Dharma retreats and
Also, we can be aware of the first darts of experience,
talks. As friendship is crucial for humans, including
the inevitable impact that difficulties and challenges
spiritual friendship, how should we navigate in this
will have on us physically and emotionally, and try not
pandemic as Buddhists?
to add too many second darts in terms of rumination,
worry, resistance to painful experience (Sallatha Sutta,
SN 36.6). When we accept our negative emotions, the Quite correct, good friends are the whole path. We
pain of resistance to them tends to decrease. could still connect with them through phone, mail or on-
line, such as Zoom, though. If not, we can maintain their