Class 4

Today’s class primarily dealt with the cessation of suffering.  The steps were to peace begins with meditation, and the withdrawal from temptation.  We had a reading which described a state of rapture, which caused a brief discussion on the word.  After class, a quick review revealed that as in many English words, there are several different meanings to rapture.  The root of the word comes from the Latin,”raptus,” meaning to grab or seize.  Miriam-Webster defines rapture as:

1: an expression or manifestation of ecstasy or passion

2 a: a state or experience of being carried away by overwhelming emotion b: a mystical experience in which the spirit is exalted to a knowledge of divine things

3often capitalized : the final assumption of Christians into heaven during the end-time according to Christian theology

Presumably, in our context, the word was intended to be similar to 2b.

Meditation leads to the ability to perceive reality as it is, not as we wish or fear it to be.  As our understanding deepens, we gain in our ability to be mindful, existing in the present and experiencing reality without prejudgment.  The final step results in complete awareness.

Part of this process is understanding impermanence; that there is no “pure” self.  Everything is always changing.

Class was concluded with the beginning of the eightfold path.  We covered:

Right View

Right Thought

Right Speech

Right livelihood

Right Action

            Non violence

            No theft

            No excessive physical indulgence

Right Effort

Right Mindfulness

Right Concentration

There were a couple of questions during class that lead to further discussion:

1. Can it be possible to have Right Thought and be opposed, or are they universal
2. What do we do when we have achieved enlightenment, and how do we know when we are there.