Humiliation is centred upon the work of ego, and humility is freedom from ego. These two words capture the gist of bondage and freedom, the gist of our practice. Maybe the only effort we need to make is to re-own the word ‘humility’ in its true sense, which often gets lost in a pseudo-humility. Hubert Benoit talks about ‘remaining motionless within humiliation’. He refers to ‘resting on the stone bed’ and ‘letting the humiliation alone.’ These are excellent descriptions of our practice; they have the strength to evoke what is beneficial, what is skilful, in transforming us…
Corrado Pensa
Teachings of the Buddha to his son Rahula talk by Corrado Pensa
Reflecting on intention, desire and action. by Corrado Pensa (33 mins. 2006)
The Pain of Attachment, by Corrado Pensa
We fall sometimes, in old habits; we slide back; we regress and start yelling or nourishing self-aversion, but if we keep practising, we wake up again and find that we don’t really want to continue with those old habits. It’s an organic process…
We have a choice, by Corrado Pensa
Every difficult or unpleasant situation can be used as further training for our aversion, anger and hatred or as training in our dharma practise. Any pleasant situation can be used to further our training in attachment, fantasising and possessiveness or to kindle attention and exercise our capacity to open up and let go…
Ego and Mindfulness, by Corrado Pensa
Mindfulness or awareness is nonjudgemental and nonconceptual. Now, this can be a little tricky because when we hear nonjudgemental mindfulness, we may think there is a judgemental mindfulness…
Self-Acceptance, by Corrado Pensa
If we don’t develop ourselves, we shall not be adequately equipped to go beyond selfishness. There is a lot of wisdom in this attitude. Obviously, we are not talking about indulging ourselves narcissistically; we are talking about becoming stronger in order to…
Fear and Suffering, by Corrado Pensa
We fear the unknown, that is to say, we fear the unknown consequences. Sometimes, however, there is this contradiction: we ask about practising with fear while being afraid of practising with fear…
Corrado Pensa
Corrado Pensa is cofounder and guiding teacher of the Association for Mindfulness Meditation in Rome.