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 Majlana Kaya. 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? Now, there'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 shore heart's

release? And finally, how do we keep, you know, we feel a release, but how do we, in some

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