Sunday Weekly Global Meditation - September 22nd, 2019

Dear friends,

A life's journey in seeking the deeper truths lead us through the teachings of great masters. We each have our challenges and obstacles in life that could feel overwhelming and perhaps even impossible to overcome but we can find more light towards positive changes with the guidance of the wise sages from ancient times until modern times.

For this Sunday's meditation, we are taking 'The Five Mindfulness Trainings' that are based on the foundation of Buddhist practices that have been translated and given by Thich Nhat Hanh in the book 'Happiness'.


"The Five Mindfulness Trainings are one of the most concrete ways to practice mindfulness. They are nonsectarian and their nature is universal. They are really the practices of compassion and understanding. All spiritual traditions have their equivalent to the fie mindfulness trainings as guidelines, signposts for how to respond to all of the varied and sometimes unhealthy choices that are available in our society."


The First Training - to protect life, decrease violence in oneself, in the family, and in society.

Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I vow to cultivate compassion and learn ways to protect the lives of people, animals, plants, and minerals. I am determined not to kill, not to let others kill, and not to condone any act of killing in the world, in my thinking, and in my way of life.


The Second Training - to practice social justice, generosity, not stealing, and not exploiting other living beings. 
Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing, and oppression, I vow to cultivate loving kindness and learn ways to work for the well-being of people, animals, plants, and minerals. I vow to practice generosity by sharing my time, energy, and material resources with those in real need. I am determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should belong to others. I will respect the property of others, but I will prevent others from profiting from human suffering or the suffering of other species on Earth.

The Third Training - the practice of responsible sexual behavior
Aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I vow to cultivate responsibility and learn ways to protect the safety and integrity of individuals, couples, families, and society. I am determined not to engage in sexual relations without love and a long-term commitment. To preserve the happiness of myself and others, I am determined to respect my commitments and the commitments of others. I will do everything in my power to protect children from sexual abuse and to prevent couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct.

The Fourth Training - the practice of deep listening and loving speech
Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I vow to cultivate loving speech and deep listening in order to bring joy and happiness to others and relieve others of suffering. Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering, I vow to learn to speak truthfully, with words that inspire self-confidence, joy, and hope. I am determined not to spread news that I do not know to be certain and not to criticize or condemn things of which I am not sure. I will refrain from uttering words that can cause division or discord, or words that can cause the family or the community to break. I will make all efforts to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.

The Fifth Training - mindful consumption 
Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I vow to cultivate good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my society by practicing mindful eating, drinking, and consuming. I vow to ingest only items that preserve peace, well-being, and joy in my body, in my consciousness, and in the collective body and consciousness of my family and society. I am determined not to use alcohol or any other intoxicant or to ingest foods or other items that contain toxins, such as certain TV programs, magazines, books, films, and conversation. I am aware that to damage my body and my consciousness with these poisons is to betray my ancestors, my parents, my society, and future generations. I will work to transform violence, fear, anger, and confusion in myself and in society by practicing a diet for myself and for society. I understand that a proper diet is crucial for self-transformation and the transformation of society.

Thich Nhat Hanh on Mindfulness and Happiness

Oprah Winfrey talks with Thich Nhat Hanh Excerpt

 For the meditation, choose one of the Five Mindfulness Trainings. As you sit in calmness with your eyes closed, bring your awareness to your thoughts and emotions and contemplate on how you relate to it through past experiences of your own and of others around you. Think of what choices you've made in the past that you could have made otherwise to avoid any suffering or pains. Think of how you can apply that in your life now.


May our lives find more happiness and joy.



September 22nd, 2019

@20:00AEST
@18:00BST

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Read more about our Sunday Weekly Global Meditation here.