A huge number of our everyday thoughts happen automatically, with no critical examination from us as to their validity. This is not an “us” or “them” situation, it’s the way almost all of us live, and it’s the source of a great deal of stress and conflict in our lives and in the world. The process is this: a stimulus comes in, we experience it as pleasant or unpleasant, we move from there to liking or disliking, and then we take action. This process, which often happens in a split second, has been studied in detail by modern neuroscience, but it was also described clearly in the teachings of the Buddha some 2500 years ago. The solution the Buddha proposed was to bring mindful awareness to the whole process; today, mental health professionals are making exactly the same recommendation.
In this program we will discuss what mindful awareness of thoughts looks like, and then try to put it into practice. Beginners and seasoned meditators are all equally welcome.
Adam Groff is the manager of NSIMC. He has been practicing Buddhist meditation since the 2000s, beginning at the Insight Meditation of Newburyport under Matthew Daniell. Read more at Adam’s teacher page.
Fee: This program has a three-tiered pricing structure to accommodate people of various means:
Supported: $35
Base: $45
Benefactor: $55
Please pay at the highest level that is comfortable for you – paying at a higher level helps us support those who need to pay at a lower level. NSIMC members should feel free to pay at the lowest level; become a member here. If you would rather pay at the door, send an email to northshoreimc@gmail.com to register.