The evening was devoted to practising the meditation technique of ‘mere recognition’ and sharing our reflections on what helps us most in our personal practice of meditation. It was a useful introduction and reminder of our meditation posture and technique.
The piece we read was the first 4 paragraphs from the preface ( pages vii – viii) of “The Blooming of a Lotus” by Thay:
Reading Transcript
The function of meditation practice is to heal and transform. Meditation, as understood in my tradition of Buddhism, helps us to be whole and to look deeply into ourselves and around us in order to realize what is really there. The energy that is used in meditation is mindfulness; to look deeply is to use mindfulness to light up the recesses of our mind, or to look into the heart of things in order to see their true nature. When mindfulness is present, meditation is present. Mindfulness helps us to understand the true essence of the object of meditation (whether it is a perception, an emotion, an action, a reaction, the presence of a person or object).
By looking deeply, the meditation practitioner gains insight, prajñā, or wisdom. This insight has the power to liberate us from our own suffering and bondage. In the meditation process, fetters are undone; internal blocks of suffering such as fear, anger, despair, and hatred are transformed; relationships with humans and nature become easier; freedom and joy penetrate. We become aware of what is inside us and around us; we are fresher, more alive in our daily existence. As we become freer and happier, we cease to act in ways that make others suffer, and we are able to bring about change around us and to help others become free.
The energy of mindfulness is constantly produced, nurtured, and strengthened during meditation. The meditation practitioner is like a lotus flower in the process of blooming. Buddhas are fully bloomed human flowers, beautiful and refreshing. All of us are buddhas to be. That is why in practice centers when people meet each other, they form a lotus with their palms and greet each other while bowing, saying: “A lotus for you, a buddha to be.” As they inhale while saying “a lotus for you” and exhale, smiling, while saying “a buddha to be,” they have the appearance of a blooming flower.
It may be possible for you to meditate on your own, without a teacher or a Sangha, namely, a Buddhist community of practice. But it goes without saying that to practice with a teacher and a Sangha is more advisable and much easier than to practice without them. A teacher is someone who has had experience of the practice and has succeeded in it. A Sangha is a meditation community where everyone follows more or less the same kind of practice. Since everyone is doing the same practice, it becomes easier for you to practice, too, because the group energy emitted by the Sangha is strong and very supportive. You can also learn a great deal from individual members of the Sangha, especially those who have realized some degree of peace and transformation. There are many things you may find difficult to do when alone, but in the presence of the Sangha you can do them easily. All of us who have practiced with a Sangha can testify to this fact.
Thich Nhat Hahn., “The Blooming of a Lotus” (Revised Edition)., Preface pp vii-viii
Plymouth Sangha 