The Inner Causes of Distress and Well-being: Insights from Buddhist Psychology
D1S3 - Relaxation Before Stability, and What Makes a Desire Afflictive
Lama Alan · 115 minutes · recorded January 1, 2019
What separates a strong desire from an afflictive one. Lama Alan defines craving and attachment as decontextualising their object and rooted in misapprehension, so even a little is toxic, and treats hostility and hatred the same way, quoting Bhikkhu Bodhi that there are times for moral outrage. He puts relaxation, stability and vividness in that order, since concentration without relaxation burns people out. The guided practice is mindfulness of breathing, whole body first, then the abdomen.
Anger and aversion Attachment and craving Buddhist psychology Relaxation Mindfulness of breathing