“Already Aware” with Benjamin This Sunday at Minneapolis Insight

Dear Community,

This Sunday we will explore the theme “Already Aware,” drawing from this interview with Joseph Goldstein, in which he shares his background of integrating multiple Buddhist traditions that eventually led to his book One Dharma. He says:

At one time I was on a retreat with Sayadaw U Pandita. He was a very demanding teacher, immersed in classical Theravada teachings. And in his style of Vipassana, there’s quite a bit of emphasis, whether spoken or not, about progress and the different stages of insight. Because it has the potential to become very goal-oriented, we have to learn how to practice with that rigor, but without getting caught by unhealthy striving.

At one point in the retreat, I found myself pushing too hard, caught by the wanting mind. But in a particular moment, as I was doing walking meditation and saw myself in striving mode, I just said to myself, “already aware,” which is more of the Dzogchen flavor. “There’s nothing to do. Already aware.” It was amazing how just that phrase completely balanced everything else. Because then I was able to continue in Vipassana mode, but with the relaxation of nonstriving. So this is another example of each [Buddhist tradition] having its own value, and each helping to address the potential problems of the other. It’s not that one is right and one is wrong.

All are welcome to join this exploration on Sunday! Registration and Zoom information available here.

With mettā,
Minneapolis Insight