Don't Get Hooked: How to Overcome Worldly Concerns 02

CLASS 2 of 3
Led by registered FPMT teacher, Miffi Maxmillion, at Langri Tangpa Centre, Brisbane.
www.langritangpa.org.au. All our classes are by donation.

Our mundane attitudes and worldly concerns distract us from a meaningful life. They colour almost everything we do and corrupt our good intentions. By overcoming the influence of these destabilising attitudes, our life becomes more peaceful, directed and meaningful. Ultimately, we find fulfilment for ourselves and become of greater benefit to others.

The eight worldly concerns are typically described as:
Hope for pleasure and fear of pain
Hope for gain and fear of loss
Hope for praise and fear of criticism
Hope for good reputation and fear of bad reputation

It seems most of our life is taken up with worry over these issues—craving material possessions, fearing their loss, and letting our self-esteem be shaped by others’ opinions. We suffer from unfair criticism and unpleasant experiences, all of which destabilise our peace of mind.

“Giving up the eight worldly dharmas does not mean making these eight objects non-existent; it means making attachment to them non-existent.” - Lama Zopa Rinpoche

At this time of year, as we enter the Christmas season, addressing these unreliable concerns can liberate us not only from shopping madness but also from the emotional ups and downs of life. It helps us reconnect with the intended spirit of Christmas: generosity, thinking of others, putting petty differences aside, and cultivating profound gratitude and joy.

Discover effective methods to cut through spiritual materialism and make this time joyful and highly meaningful. This short course is relevant to both Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike, and particularly useful at this time of year when the crush of Christmas materialism is difficult to withstand.

“Freedom from the eight worldly concerns creates real peace; therefore, we have to renounce them. Renunciation is a mental action arising from a decision. It is difficult; it is harder to change mental actions than physical ones.” - Lama Zopa Rinpoche