• Gain and loss: Chasing what we want and holding on to it 
• Fame and infamy: Being known or not known 
• Praise and blame: Receiving positive or negative feedback from others 
• Pleasure and pain: Feeling good or bad 

This week, Mary led an evening on the ‘worldly winds’. The evening commenced courtesy of Cathy, who read from an ancient Buddhist Sutta.

Mary then talked about the practical implications of being blown around, whether we choose to or not, and how we might practically respond to what they teach us. She linked each pair of winds to one of the Jinnas*, illustrating how contemplating the Buddha in each realm, can shelter us from being buffeted.

Following the talk, Paranayaka led us in a beautiful gratitude meditation and then after the break, we had the chance to explore this week‘s subject in small groups.

The evening was rounded off with the reciting of the ‘ transference of merit’.

*central figures in Vajrayana and Mahayana Buddhism, particularly in Tibetan traditions. They are “wisdom Buddhas” representing transformed aspects of the enlightened mind.