“Because we become frightened as soon as a difficult mind state blows into the mind, we start to fight it.” (Sylvia Boorstein)

“We try to change it, or we try to get rid of it. The frenzy of the struggl makes the mind state even more unpleasant.” (Boorstein)

Aversion is the mind state that has been troubling me lately. Every morning when I wake up I check the status of my elbows, my left elbow especially.

Once I see that I still have skin irritations I feel both anger and fear. Of course I fight against my anger and fear.

When i realize what has been happening I struggle to get rid of my aversion: me anger and fear. The struggle creates more negative responses and of course affects the chemical balance in my body.

It takes so much effort to remind myself of the NATURAL MIND as taught by Sylvia Boorstein.

“Here I am.”

“It is the response to the challenge to acknowledge the truth of the present moment, to recognize what needs to be done, and to be prepared to do it.” (Boorstein)

After many challenges this 2018, I now am convinced that Sylvia Boorstein’s interpretation of Buddhist teachings is the best guide for me.

“Regardless of our planning,it (life) is essentially unpredictable.”

“I was so relieved to meet people who were willing to say life is difficult often painful, and who still looked fine about admitting it.”

“Most important, they looked HAPPY.” (Boorstein)