Sylvia Boorstein

“Paying attention with a single focus produces particular qualities in the mind. Especially important is a sense of ease, balance, relaxation- a state traditional (Buddhist) texts call ‘malleability of mind'”.

“Concentration practice strengthens an softens the mind.”

When disaster strikes i know I won’t crumble. “I won’t be irrevocably shattered.’

“…the very practice itself deconditions the mind from its habitual pattern of running from discomfort… practicing remaining calm and alert through the whole range of body and mind states that present themselves- all the while not doing anything to change experience but rather discovering that experience is bearable.”

This helped me through days when I still had skin allergies. Before I discovered how effective Virgin Coconut Oil as an ointment to stop the itch.

“When the heart is noncombative, when it is peaceful- which only happens when it is loving – the mind is clear. Wisdom prevails. we understand painful things happen because that’s the way life is. Complete God love, clear mind allows us to forgive life. The possibility of steadfast loving allows life- whatever its particulars- to always remain a gift.

I like Boorstein’s definition of FAITH: “Cosmic contentedness’
Boorstein explained further: “the Buddha taught that the universe is quite lawful.” I like that she said:”Belief systems are also extra.” What a relief that I don’t have to deal with dogmas.

:…the Buddha’s teaching about the importance of the personal, direct discovery of the truth. He did teach that taking other people’s word fr how things are should not take the place of individual practice and personal confirmation.”

I like the statement about individual practice and personal confirmation. this is so relevant for my health protocols because I have always been a marginal case. I have seen how irrelevant my doctors have become to me. I never fit into the categories they use! Hardly anything prescribed for me especially after my hip surgery by mainstream doctors worked.

“The Buddha taught that the universe is quite lawful. It isn’t a mistake. But it”s so mysterious.”

I say it’s unpredictable many times. But from experience most of the time, if not all the time, what i worry about does not happen and whatever happens turns out to be good for me.

How consoling that even Boorstein a renowned Buddhist teacher from the West still worries sometimes.

“Nothing is inherently wrong with me. I just need to work on my habits more.”

No guilt. Just remorse.

“My mind has the capacity and the tendency to take essentially neutral data and spin it into worry.” (Boorstein)

“…peace of mind and a contented heart are not dependent upon external circumstances.” Now that I am experiencing some benefits from this PRACTICE I am inclined to believe this Buddhist teaching learned from Sylvia Boorstein.

After months of skin rashes that ultimately can be traced to a leaky gut I have learned to deal with the hectic schedules of my husband. In fact, sometimes I find it foolish of me to have reacted so adversely as to cause havoc to my body..

Next I am beginning to enjoy the work adventures of our daughter from London to New York to New Jersey then soon to LA.

“The promise of peace with straightforward instructions that were ordinary and accessible and made PRACTICE the context of life…We counted on being changed by PRACTICE.”

“The end of suffering, I learned, was something I could bring about through my own practice. It depended on me.”

“And, I didn’t have to believe it was true, or say I believed it was true, or make any declaration of faith at all.”

HOW TRULY LIBERATING!

“A Practice that I was invited to investigate without believing it was true was APPEALING.”
INDEED, this was what I had been looking for!

“…developing equanimity [does] not mean becoming weird.”

“…spiritual living does not need to be a big deal. Sometimes people decide to make a lifestyle change in service of waking up. Some people join communities or religious orders. Some people change their diet. some people become celibate. All of those are choices are for some people very helpful TOOLS for waking up, but they aren’t inherently spiritual.” (Sylvia Boorstein)\

I choose MINDFULNESS like Boorstein.

“MINDFULNESS, the aware, balanced acceptance of present experience.”

“In traditional Buddhist texts the five energies of LUST, AVERSION, TORPOR, RESTLESSNESS and DOUBT are called ‘MIND HINDRANCES’ They are called hindrances of the mind because they obscure clear seeing…They hinder the possibility of us reconnecting with the peaceful self that is our real nature.”

For me the Buddhist guidelines given by Boorstein are more relevant than the 10 commandment. Most of my problems spring from my mind so developing equanimity is best for me.

“We have two kinds of fears. One is a fear that whatever if going on is going to go on forever. It’s just not true.- nothing goes on forever. The other is the fear that, even if it doesn’t go on forever, the pain of whatever is happening will be so terrible we won’t be able to stand it.”

“Terrible as some times may be, I believe we can stand them.” (Sylvia Boorstein)

I would like to believe Boorstein is right!

“Homo Deus”, a prophetic book by Harari said: “Marx and Lenin devoted more attention to understanding the technological and economic realities of their time than scrutinizing ancient texts and prophetic dreams.”

Harari considered the Bible as an ancient text. Like Lenin and Marx I must devote more time studying the technological and economic realities of my time instead of getting involved in the “quarrel” of our current president with the Catholic Church.

First i must learn to operate a smart phone given by a Chinese student of my husband. Shame on me and my doctorate. Even children in the building of our condo readily use smart phones.

But I must pace myself. I need to call on my “Sense of being okay, just as I am.” ( Sylvia Boorstein) I am 75 years old. A friend of my husband definitely younger than I am does not even know how to email. He does lengthy messages to my husband using text messages. and he is a leader in the business world!

“The end of suffering…was something I could bring about through my own practice. It depended on me.” (Boorstein)

I must differentiate between” the inevitable pains of life and the extra pain created in the mind that STRUGGLES rather than ACCOMMODATES.”

“The words ATTACHMENT and CLINGING are used to describe the tension that arises in the mind when it is unable to accept what is true.”