So today I want to introduce the topic that we'll be studying from April 1st to May 1st.
They are a set of instructions known as the Ten Parmis,
Or the Ten Perfections.
And they're helpful for us in our daily life.
We've just come off of a daily life practice period,
And so we're going to continue with this theme of working in daily life.
These teachings refer to cultivating skillful intention and actions throughout our day.
And they're very particular strengths that we develop in our daily life.
So,
You know,
The way that we've been talking about bringing these practices into our day,
Into our daily presentations,
Is asking the question,
You know,
Am I aware?
And what is most obvious?
And asking this in a very relaxed way,
This continuity of mindfulness,
Of awareness,
Begins to develop within us.
So in the Theravada Buddhist tradition,
The focus is on a gradual path of development.
Because a gradual path can kind of hold everyone within it.
And the Buddha described the spiritual growth in a human being as a process,
A developmental process.
So in terms of meditation practice,
The gradual path of development has a lot to do with what are called the seven factors of awakening.
And we've talked about these before,
And we will again.
These are inner qualities that get developed when we're sitting,
When we're actually practicing on the cushion.
So there's a whole other emphasis on inner growth and development,
And they're called the perfections or the paramis.
And these are the ten strengths that are particular to development in daily life.
So the seven factors are more about meditation,
The development of these qualities within us during our practice,
Our meditation,
And the ten paramis,
Or the ten perfections,
Are best cultivated in just our being in the world.
So for people who can't go on retreat,
Or do a lot of meditation,
This is kind of pointing to how ordinary life can be a source of spiritual growth.
And that growth and development has a lot to do with developing these qualities of character.
So it's different than developing insights,
Or having a particular meditative experience.
Some people are really focused on experience,
Like the right experience will be the magic that will bring a life where you live happily ever after,
Right?
And then some people think it's all about understanding.
You know,
It's very intellectual.
If I can read enough books and listen to enough Dharma talks and the teachings,
I can come to some understanding about what this path is.
So that's more of the intellectual route.
And Buddhism does have an intellectual side to it,
But there is a part about tapping into the character that comes from within.
The character that comes from the heart out,
As opposed to taking ideas in.
So how do we develop this?
Before I tell you what these ten qualities are,
I want to say that certain qualities of character can really support our life over our lifetime.
So if we want to rely on something that can support us through our life for a long time,
It's helpful to develop these qualities of character.
So the ten paramis,
The ten perfections.
The first one is generosity.
The second is virtue.
The third is renunciation.
The fourth is wisdom.
The fifth is energy.
The sixth is patience.
The seventh is truthfulness.
The eighth is resolve.
The ninth is loving kindness.
And the tenth is equanimity.
These are ten qualities of character that we can develop.
And in the coming weeks,
We will unpack each of these.
One parami per session.
So you don't have to memorize them or write them down.
We'll be exploring them within us and practicing with them.
So the emphasis is on practicing in daily life.
And there are a lot of opportunities in daily life to practice generosity.
To develop virtue and patience and loving kindness.
So as we go about our day,
We're kind of visited with different challenges every day,
You know.
And we become,
Through these practices,
The agent that can act to do something,
You know.
You don't have to be a victim to what happens in your life or your challenges.
You can take some ownership for what you can do.
It's an important quality to become your own agent for change.
As opposed to waiting for something to happen.
You know,
We can engage here,
Engage with some of these qualities.
Even in situations that are horrible or disastrous or break our hearts.
We can,
Can we cultivate patience?
Can we cultivate loving kindness?
Which of the paramis can I cultivate even now?
With whatever is presenting.
So the paramis,
These characters,
Characteristics.
Take spiritual practice into the areas of our life where there is confusion.
Where there is pressure and stress.
And when we work with them,
They provide an alternative way of attending to the mind.
In everyday events.
An alternative way.
So if the mind is inclined in a way that causes stress.
These perfections are kind of a turning that can clear the mind.
So in a sense,
Cultivating these qualities,
These characteristics,
Means you get to steer your life a little bit.
Okay.
So we'll unpack these.
I will be offering these teachings with another teacher.
My friend,
Lish Dorison is her name.
And maybe you'll start to notice that these qualities,
The development,
It becomes easier as we meditate.
They become strengths within us.
Thank you.
Thank you for your attention.
And I'll take your questions.
