Essential Dharma for Busy People: Part 2

Part 2 of "Essential Dharma" begins with a review of several important preliminary teachings provided in Part 1. First, the reminder that nothing is permanent. In this difficult time of practicing a spiritual path it becomes very important to preserve the "internal forms" of Buddhism constituting Mindful Living, knowing how to be present and what is necessary for emotional healing. In the next part of the review teacher Fred Epsteiner addressed two preliminaries, the foundations - the mind and care for the mind is most important, and it is this mind that distinguishes between appearances in the mind and the reality of perceived objects. Then he introduced another preliminary inviting us to the meditative exploration of the question, "What is it that is perceiving? What is awareness? What is the nature of mind?" The challenge put forward by Eppsteiner is to consider whether or not our version of the truth is based on objective reality. Would we like to live in a relaxed way, to be present, to be aware for even thirty minutes?