Stories and Rupas

[caroline brazier]

Day two of the course block. Our student group is bigger than its been for a while, and lively discussion of the basic principles of other-centred work keeps us in serious engagement through large and small group sessions interspersed with demonstrations and counselling exercises. The principle that, since the mind is conditioned by the object of attention (basic Abhidharma principles), holding the client's attention on the objects in their world and encouraging a deeper, more respectful engagement with them will bring about a change of mind and heart, gives a basis for work in threes. The counsellor tries not only to facilitate the client's story, but also to stand alongside, empathically entering into that world as it manifests, imaginatively, in the room about them. Objects (often, but not always people) who carry the emotional charge draw the attention most strongly. These are rupas. The hold power over us because our view of them is conditioned. Change the view and you change the conditioning. Change the conditions and you change the mental state. No need to ask 'how do you feel' for the feelings are evident. Uninterpreted, they flow and change. Love grows.

The course time is sandwiched between daily life. Service this morning. This afternoon a quick trip to the hospital to visit a patient in my Buddhist chaplaincy role. This evening a tutorial. The house buzzes with warm conversation and good food.