So, as a way of beginning, I would like to share with you a reading from the Buddhist

scriptures and it was something that was read to me at I think it was my first retreat one of the

first few days and it stayed with me. It's to me one of the most important of the teachings. This

is from the Majama Nakaya. The purpose of the holy life does not consist in acquiring merit,

honor or fame, nor in gaining morality, concentration or the eye of knowledge. The purpose is that

unshakable deliverance, the sure hearts release. That indeed is the object of the holy life that is

its essence, that is its goal, that unshakable deliverance, the sure hearts release.

So when I heard it, the inquiry really was, okay, so released from what? And what does it mean

to have the heart released? And as I really reflected, it's become increasingly clear that we are

drawn to this practice. Every one of us that's here is drawn because in some way we intuit that

there are stories or habits in our life that are keeping us from the fullness and potential of who

we can be. And we intuit that. We know we have beliefs that keep us little and we know we have

ways of moving through the day that make us forget. And so there's some longing in each of us

to experience the full potential, that full freedom of the heart to love without holding back,

to really live from a sense of generosity of spirit, to be creative, to be fully alive, we long for that.

And so what I'd like to do tonight is reflect together on how do we keep our heart defended.

I mean in any given moment, what's going on that keeps us from feeling connected?

What might be going on to keep us from feeling a sense of belonging or tenderness?

Whether it's what keeps us closed down. So that's the kind of inquiry for the evening. And then of

course what frees us? What allows for the sure hearts release? And finally how do we keep,

if you know we we feel a release, but how do we in some way keep coming back to that freedom?

Because it's so easy to touch something but then forget and re-contract back into trance.

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