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There is a growing body of research about hope, its impact on health outcomes, moods,

emotions, and it also has a key role in spiritual unfolding. It really energizes us on the

path when we have hope. It opens us to possibility to more unfolding and awakening. So for these next

two weeks, we're going to explore hope together. I've drawn from a favorite pair of talks from

the archives and we'll look at what is authentic hope and what are the shadow sides of hope and what blocks

hope and how do we cultivate hope in a way that really serves healing and awakening.

So may this serve your hearts and your spirits.

We're going to be reflecting tonight on the role of hope,

the role of hope on the spiritual path.

And by that I mean really the trust in our unfolding lives,

the trust in this living world.

And I'd like to begin that with a classic story of a big, tough samurai who once went to see

a very little monk.

And he said in a voice that was accustomed to being obeyed, he said, teach me about

heaven and hell. And the little monk looked up at the mighty warrior, and he looked at him

with utter disdain. And he said, teach you about heaven and hell? I couldn't teach you about

anything. You're dirty. You smell.

Your blades rusty. Your disgrace and embarrassment to the samurai class. Get out of my sight. I can't

stand you, you know. So the samurai is completely furious, and he gets all red in the face,

and he pulls out his sword. He's speechless with rage and he's about to slay the little monk.

...