As humans, we have an ability to communicate our experiences in the form of stories and we give meaning to our lives through narration of those stories. Stories, however, can lead to ‘narrative entrapment’ – the phenomenon of being caught up in disparaging stories about who we are, told to us, and about us, by others. We then tell ourselves these stories as though they are true.
Life is often lived, healthily or unhealthily, as a story which can be flawed or untrue. This 4 week course seeks to enable ‘better’ stories to be told, using the Buddhist principles of primordial purity and Metta, particularly Metta for ourselves. We can retell stories in which a sense of deficiency is seen as it is – as a delusion. We seek to unburden ourselves from the false, suffering self and, ultimately, seek to let go of self-stories altogether.
The course will be a mix of simple writing exercises, discussion and meditation.
Led by Maitrivajra and Muditakari
For those with an established meditation practice – you will need to know and have a regular practice of the Mindfulness of Breathing and Metta Bhavana meditations – not suitable for beginners.