Jeff Highfill on the Buddhist concept of refuge
In this session Jeff Highfill delves deeply into the Buddhist concept of refuge, aiming to guide participants towards finding protection and eliminating karmic traces.
Highfill initiates the meditation by inviting participants to assume a comfortable posture, guiding them through a relaxation process to release tension from head to toe.
The core of the meditation revolves around contemplating the motivation behind seeking refuge in the three jewels of Buddhism: the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.
Highfill emphasizes that refuge is not merely a verbal recitation but a deeply rooted conviction in one’s heart.
He underscores the significance of understanding refuge as a means to protect oneself from harm, rooted in past actions that can lead to future suffering or rebirth in lower realms.
Through wholesome actions and genuine awareness of past deeds, participants can mitigate future suffering.
The Buddha is portrayed as an enlightened being embodying unobstructed wisdom, impartial compassion, and effortless power, aiming solely for the benefit of others.
The Dharma is likened to medicine, requiring effort from the practitioner to attain liberation from suffering.
The Sangha, comprising enlightened beings or those closely connected to them, represents an internal process of aligning one’s mindset with enlightenment.
Highfill encourages practitioners to seek companions and communities akin to the Aryas, individuals who have deeply grasped the ultimate reality and abandoned delusions.
He emphasizes dedicating merits accumulated through meditation to teachers, community members, and spiritual friends, acknowledging their pivotal role in guiding individuals towards spiritual growth and understanding of the Dharma.
