Words from the Deep Spring

Sila and the Practice of Working With Fear

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This is a combination of two talks presented by Barbara Brodsky in 1991.

Barbara: In a personal sense and in our work in the world, we want peace-a world where all beings have the opportunity to live without suffering. Yet rather than peace and joy, suffering often grows from our actions and words. If we want peace, why do we end up with disharmony? What are the roots of that disharmony? How can we live our personal lives more skillfully?

Many of us are involved in one area or another of social change that may lead us to direct confrontation with those of differing viewpoints. Such meetings sometimes lead to an escalation of anger rather than to deeper communication. Can we engage in active participation as forces of change in the world without creating more anger?

I don’t believe disharmony must accompany personal expression or change, but to lovingly create communication and change takes honesty, courage, awareness and commitment. How can we use our meditation practice to begin that work and to allow the compassion and joy in ourselves to shine through?

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