NoHo Buddhist Meditation Class

In Buddhism, painful emotions are known as ‘delusions’. They are called this precisely because when we’re experiencing them our perceptions are distorted. Under their influence we see things incorrectly and act inappropriately. These deluded minds—eg. anger, anxiety, desirous attachment, jealousy, and deluded pride—are completely unreliable states of mind. Don’t trust them! They are guaranteed to create unhappiness for ourself and others. This is why we need to learn skillful methods for recognizing them and letting them go.

In this series we will be meditating on the clarity of the mind and using the wisdom we gain to let go of painful emotions. We will explore some of the key delusions and train in practical methods for skillfully overcoming them. How much happier our life will be if we are no longer held captive by these painful emotions. The more we meditate on the natural clarity of our mind, the more easily we’ll be able to recognize, reduce, and finally abandon them.

We may feel that some situations in life actually require us to become anxious or angry. But, if we check, these emotions don’t help us to effectively navigate life’s challenges; they just hurt. Our life will be better and much more meaningful without them. By becoming more familiar with our naturally clear, peaceful mind, we’ll be able to transform even our greatest difficulties into spiritual opportunities for freedom and growth.