RESOURCES AND RECAP
Led by: La Sarmiento
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Resources from our webinar shared by La:
Metta Sutta
from the Sutta Nipata - Pali Cannon
translation/adaptation by Caitríona Reed
If you want to live in truth and integrity, if you hunger for joy and freedom—then live simply. Be impeccable in everything you do—in every word, thought and deed.
Be receptive, gentle, and unassuming.
Avoid irrelevant obligations and extraneous distractions.
Learn to be content with less, modest in what you consume.
Simplify your tastes, tread lightly. Be gracious and appropriate, self-sufficient.
Find ways to create balance in your relationships, especially with those people you love the most.
Respect the needs of others, avoid antagonizing them unnecessarily.
MAY ALL BEINGS BE HAPPY AND PEACEFUL! MAY THEIR HEARTS BE FULL!
ALL LIVING BEINGS—strong ones and weak, large or small, seen or unseen, those nearby or far away, those already born and those yet to be born, beings you can only imagine, as well as those that are beyond imagination, wherever they are, whatever they are—
MAY THEY ALL . . . . MAY ALL BEINGS BE JOYOUS AND HAPPY!
Let no one deceive another. Let no one despise another.
Let no one out of resentment or anger wish harm to another.
Just as a mother would give her life to protect an only child, so cultivate that same boundless, open heart towards all of life.
Let your thoughts of unconditional love and kindheartedness permeate the cosmos, extending in all directions without obstruction, free from preconceptions or fear.
Whatever you happen to be doing, whether you are; seated, standing, walking, or lying down, so long as you draw breath, find ways to cultivate this quality of loving-kindness, this tender quality of mind, which of all qualities is said to most accurately reflect the truth of who you are.
Let go of any idea that you are separate from the web of living beings. Let your life be informed by the understanding that all things are interconnected. Find ways to relinquish what you have used as substitutes for love, and accept in their place the gift, and infinite pleasure, of boundless love.
Wake up to all that surrounds you!
Wake up to your life and be free!
Other links from La:
It’s Not Easy Being Me: The Journey to Loving Myself - a talk with La Sarmiento
As an immigrant, non-binary, Filipinx-American, La Sarmiento is committed to creating access to and sharing teachings and practices that alleviate suffering, cultivate true happiness, and support the liberation of all beings.
We are so grateful that La has agreed to lead us in this conversation. La will examine the intersectionality of their identities as an immigrant, non-binary, person of color and how the dharma and the practice of mindfulness has transformed their relationship to themself, others, and the world. La will be weaving the practice of patience, humility, and empowerment throughout their talk.
We look forward to having you join us in this conversation as we continue to learn together.
ABOUT La
La Sarmiento (they/them) has been practicing Vipassana meditation since 1998. They are the Board President and a Teacher with the Insight Meditation Community of Washington, DC (IMCW), the Guiding Teacher of the IMCW People of Color and LGBTQIA+ Sanghas, and a mentor for the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program. They completed the Spirit Rock Community Dharma Leader Training in 2012. As an immigrant, non-binary, Filipinx-American, La is committed to creating access to and sharing teachings and practices that alleviate suffering, cultivate true happiness, and support the liberation of all beings. They live in Towson, MD with their life partner Wendy and two rescue pups Annabel and Bader.
To contact La, go to their website.