Interwoven Nature: relatedness and identity in a changeful world
Beginning or no understanding of topic, Open to all
Movement not required
Likely neutral
A talk about the relationship between body, mind and world from the perspective of a long-term practitioner of zazen,
a form of mindful meditation.
This talk will offer some philosophical reflections on how the practice of zazen (mindful meditation) can heal the divided self and reconnect our embodied mind with the world around us. I will argue that we are relational beings living in a relational universe - a universe of interwoven and interactive processes and energies – a universe in which
things are actually events, with no fixed essences or
identities. And the universe, and all its diverse constituent forms and
structures, are in flux, merging and mingling in changing patterns of
dynamic kinship. I will explore some Buddhist ideas
about the ways in which insatiable
desire fuels dissatisfaction, restlessness, disturbance and conflict,
and how our capitalist culture is grounded
in greed, division and feelings of disconnection. I go on to suggest
that the practice of some form of mindful meditation can enable us to
see more clearly how the world is – and to learn how to heal the divisions within ourselves, and between us, other beings and the world.
This is a talk – not a workshop – and requires no previous experience of mindful meditation, Buddhism or environmental science.
Guided Practices
All Ecology & Research presentations proudly sponsored by Forest without frontiers.
