Lotus Light Sangha - "Living Beautifully" in the Charnel Ground of Life

This week, we explored the Tibetan Buddhist perspective on life and path by meditating on excerpts from Pema Chodron's new book,   "Living Beautifully". 

Pema Chodren is an ordained Tibetan Buddhist Nun who is a spiritual teacher for many students in the West.   

Pema's teachings encourage us on the life path of spiritual warrior.  She advocates that we find the courage to stay present with our experience of human suffering whether it is our own, that of others we know, or the mass suffering we see in the world. 

By staying present with our pain, we sink deep into our broken heart and find the tender spot within where our compassion can be felt and then expressed in meaningful ways. These acts of compassion are genuine and don't come from a prescribed or dogmatic approach to kindness, mindfulness, or compassion. They emerge from the dark night of the soul and move us toward light as the Lotus flower emerges from the depths of the lake toward moonlight. 

In Pema's new book "Living Beautifully"  (with uncertainty & Change) she outlines her three  commitments:

1.  Committing to "Do No Harm" by being fully present:

Aware of our intentions and actions on others and ourselves. Stay in the middle of our emotions and not move to reacting immediately or becoming numb.

 2.  Committing to "Take Care of One Another": 

Beyond our comfort zone, breathing in pain, breathing out relief for ourselves and others, and this becomes the catalyst for compassion.

 3.  Committing to "Embrace the World As It is":

 There is no where to hide, sometimes we have no control, which she calls groundlessness."

Pema talks about the Charnel Ground where in Tibet, without land to bury the dead, bodies are cut up and left for the birds, tigers, and other animals to devour.  From one perspective, the Charnel Ground is desolate and frightening, but to the animals that visit, it is a delightful banquet. 

All experiences and perspectives are part of the whole of life. To sit with that groundlessness at the Charnel ground of our life and to detach from seeing life based on good or bad is to Be Present in compassion for our journey to light.  

"We work on ourselves in order to help others. But, also we help others in order to work on  ourselves" Pema Chodron