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• S E A R CH

All of us practice in an urban environment. OK, we may live in the depths of the country or even in the wilderness. I did that until recently, but even out in the Spanish Pyrenees, the social culture within which my life was unfolding was overwhelmingly urban. Meeting here on this page, we are all on the internet, which offers us infinite choice, just like the city does.

Yet infinite choice is a mixed blessing. We can get distracted and obsessed by so many products and opportunities - clothes, vehicles, music, books, travel, communication, vocations - displaying themselves as though on heat. If we can have them, we get dominated by craving and excitement. If we can't, the danger is anger, hatred or inturned frustration.

With the aid of Dharma, look. See that no situation, however difficult, is good or bad in itself. The problems (of feeling deprived, or elated, or afraid) are as illusory as the ever-changing images we have of who we are. If we look into those responses, it's not hard to change them. But it's usually hard to realise we can look.

Urban Dharma is applying the teachings of the Buddha to contemporary living. Putting Dharma into practice is essentially the same in every situation. In the Buddha’s last words it is to ‘make efforts, with mindfulness’ towards awakening.

Develop awareness regarding the body, the feelings, mental states and the dharma itself.

Apply that awareness in all the diversity and challenge of life.

IN THE CITY
guard the senses
repair broken awareness
use technology wisely
connect with the natural world.

Walking in city streets can be meditation.
Guard the gates of the senses.
Don't look everywhere. Attend to the need of the moment.
You can be mindful, reflective, and watchful if you decide to.

Life nowadays is broken up, jarring & discontinuous.
Find ways to repair the breaches as they happen.
keep reconstructing continuity & integrity.

Our devices connect us to others.
But too much cuts us off from our experience.
Sometimes take your eyes off screens
& experience real distances, depth & colour.

Nature is allowed no place in our protected life.
This is unbalanced and disharmonious.
Connect with the basic elements of experience.