Mind's True Nature
Mind's True Nature
"Our present state of mistaken apprehension does not accord with the mind’s true nature, which is ever and already perfect and pure. Mistaken experiences depend upon mind’s fundamental pattern that identifies the apprehending subject as "the self." The self is not inherently existent, although we erroneously cling to the belief that it is. Since we think that the self exists of its own accord and as a unique entity, we assume apprehended experiences are other and distinct from the self and automatically cling to a dualistic outlook as a result. It is just this dualistic notion that gives rise to feelings of sympathy and antipathy, attachment and aversion, i.e., sympathy for those persons and things that live up to our expectations and aversion against those persons and things that obstruct our expectations. Our expectations evolve from our hopes and fears related to misleading assumptions of happiness and suffering. When feelings of sympathy and antipathy arise, other disturbing emotions naturally spring forth – desire, anger, pride, jealousy, just to name a few. These afflictive emotions drive us to act the way we do with body, speech, and mind. Our activities create karma, the "infallible law of cause and effect." Living beings experience the result of their personal and collective karma in the active process of being and becoming.
It is necessary to become free of the initial delusions that are the source of suffering, i.e., the mistaken beliefs in an apprehending self and apprehended objects different than the self. They bring about feelings that necessarily give rise to frustrating karmic results. When free of the mental patterns that are the cause of attachment and aversion, then freedom from suffering will have been attained. No outer means can eliminate suffering and guarantee lasting happiness other than the practice of hearing, contemplating, and meditating the precious Dharma instructions."
H.E. Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche The 3rd,
Poll: Have you ever been bullied?
People associate bullying with children in schools, but it can actually stretch beyond childhood to workplaces or neighbourhoods.
This Friday is Pink Shirt Day, which began in Canada in 2007 when two students took a stand against homophobic bullying after a new student was harassed for wearing pink. People across the globe are now encouraged to wear pink on this day to take a stand against bullying and promote inclusivity.
Have you or your whānau ever experienced bullying? Share your thoughts on Pink Shirt Day below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
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80.1% Yes
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19.6% No
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0.4% Other - I'll share below
Whangarei Film Society - screenings for Thursday May 23rd
Good People
On Thursday, the 23rd May at 6pm, WFS will be screening the doco on the NZ modernist artist, Frances Hodgkins in Anything But A Still Life.
Our 8pm screening will be the Oscar winning film (Best International Picture), Riceboy Sleeps.
FRANCES HODGKINS: ANYTHING BUT A STILL LIFE
NZ, 2023, Documentary, 90 mins
This documentary explores the life and art of celebrated New Zealand painter, Frances Hodgkins.
From her time in art school in London in the early 1900s, when one of her paintings became the first work by a New Zealander to be hung at the Royal Academy of Arts, to her time in Paris where she taught at Colarossi's academy as the first woman instructor.
It was during her time in France that Hodgkins was influenced by the styles of Matisse and Derain but quickly developed her own highly personal style, which embraced modernist hallmarks.
Over the decades, Hodgkins work became highly respected, as she worked alongside artists including Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson and Henry Moore.
At the peak of her career, before returning to NZ, Hodgkins was considered a key figure in British Modernism and a role model for women artists everywhere.
Showing at Forum North, 7 Rust Ave Whangarei on Thursday 23rd May at 6pm and TUESDAY (not Thursday) 28th May at 8pm.
Tickets: Door sales only. $10 WFS members. $15 Non members.
View the trailer at: www.youtube.com...
Tickets: Door sales only. Price: $10 for WFS members, $15 for non members.
Cash only please - no Eftpos/credit card services available.
Visit whangareifilmsociety.org and sign up for our free weekly email for information on the rest of our films and screening dates for 2024.
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