Chapter 8 of “Pointing Out Instructions”
[…] to answer a few moments ago! [Laughter] Janet: I don’t know. Ken: What were you going to say? Janet: I was going to say that it’s the reactive emotions … being lost in them, that’s the problem. Ken: So is it the reactive emotions, or getting lost in them? Janet: Getting lost in them. […]
Chapter 8 of “Five Elements Five Dakinis”
[…] of them and touching each of the centers in the body. So today, I want to shift the emphasis of the practice from purification—that is undoing the reactive patterns—to transformation of energy and from there movement into practice of direct awareness. Now some of you who have worked with me before, are familiar with the […]
Chapter 10 of “Mind Training in Seven Points”
[…] able to be experienced—for whatever reason—so were frozen. And any time anything resonated with them, you just bounced out of there real quickly. Which is basically how reactive patterns form and operate. And what I’m suggesting now, when you sit in presence, those same emotional issues, and any others, will be experienced as an imbalance […]
Chapter 4 of “Then and Now: A Commentary on The Jewel Ornament of Liberation”
[…] the world and understood themselves. The six realms are the way that we experience the world when we are in the grip of one of the six reactive emotions. When you’re in the grip of anger or hatred you’re in hell. When you’re in the grip of greed you’re in the hungry ghost realm, […]
Chapter 4 of “Living Awake: Making Things Happen”
[…] there. Part of watching the signs for me is rule of three. When something happens three times, same dynamic, it usually indicates that I’m caught in a reactive pattern—there’s something that I’m ignoring. [Unclear] Certainly when I’m teaching people about difficult conversations, whenever you find yourself going through the same dynamics in a conversation with […]
Chapter 3 of “Living Awake: Making Things Happen”
[…] can be extremely functional until they get into another quarter of their life, and then all of that function goes. That’s because there is some kind of reactive pattern operating, which cuts them off from all that natural ability. So. Randye. Microphone please. Do we have a mic anywhere? Okay. Thanks. Randye: I’m confused. A […]
Chapter 6 of “Four Immeasurables”
[…] sixth and last class on the four immeasurables. I only have one thing to do, which is to go over the whole topic of transformation of emotions—from reactive emotions into expressions of natural awareness—and a couple of other things in connection with that. But first, I’d like to get your questions, insights, challenges from […]
Chapter 3 of “Four Immeasurables”
[…] because it knows at that high level, that’s what can undo the confusion that’s been conditioned at the level of the mind of emotion, so that the reactive emotions are cleared away and the four immeasurables come into play. Diane: So you’re not suggesting some type of dynamic between a hedonism or a nihilism […]
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[…] problems many people encounter. → Engage with Q&A Read for insight Looking for a fresh perspective? Dive into Ken’s reflections on topics such as our existential context; meeting reactive emotions and reactive patterns; work, culture, and the everyday world; and the student–teacher relationship. The Articles section includes both short pieces and long-form commentaries. → Read Articles
Chapter 7 of “Stand-Alone Talks”
[…] get ahead in life. And yet that is probably the primary reason that most people start a meditation practice today. It is so that they are less reactive, more focused, they want to heal old wounds or whatever. And it is very much a utilitarian if not a consumerist approach and we see the […]
Chapter 4 of “Buddhahood Without Meditation”
[…] more about things getting bigger and bigger. Ann: I have to say more about things getting bigger? Ken: That’s where you started. Ann: Well, it’s like a reactive pattern getting bigger and bigger, it just keeps doing the same thing. It’s almost like … Ken: Okay. That’s interesting. Keep going. [Silence] Anybody want to help […]
Chapter 3 of “Buddhahood Without Meditation”
[…] do it, because really we should be able to do it. As my own practice matured, and as I came to appreciate how intractable certain obstacles and reactive patterns can be, I began to see the wisdom in it. That is, okay, so you can’t do it. Well, don’t make your inability to do X […]
Chapter 4 of “Chö: Cutting Through the Thickets of Thinking”
[…] pours over your body and over the body of all sentient beings, particularly all of the disturbances, and washes away all of the negativity, confusion, unwholesome actions, reactive patterns—these are washed right out of your body, just as if elixir was pouring right through it. And it is flushed down, coming out of all the […]
Chapter 13 of “Mind Training in Seven Points”
[…] them how things actually are? That’s the question to ask. What in you is being served? And it may be your own discomfort. And then it’s a reactive pattern. Student: [Unclear] Ken: That sounds like dangerous waters. Student: But if you were in [unclear], that question probably wouldn’t arise [unclear]. Ken: I think we would […]
Chapter 34 of “Then and Now: A Commentary on The Jewel Ornament of Liberation”
[…] you to do this, first in relatively simple situations like meditation or doing routine manual tasks, and then gradually in more involved situations where there are strong reactive emotions operating, or you’re having conversations or interactions with people, and you still have that same ability to drop into that clarity, rest and actually function […]