Gulwinder “Gullu” Singh is a corporate real estate attorney who regularly teaches both secular and Buddhist classes and groups at InsightLA and at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, has taught mindfulness at the University of Southern California and has been a guest lecturer on mindfulness at UCLA Law School. Although he was exposed to meditation as a child, he found his own practice when he started his legal career, working at firms where the mindsets where insane and as a result, the job was extremely stressful.
Gullu spends several weeks per year teaching silent meditation retreats and has done over 200 nights of silent retreat practice including a 2-month retreat in 2017. Gullu is deeply inspired to share meditation as an antidote to stress, a way to cope more effectively with the challenges of work and live and to inject more sanity, compassion and wisdom into this world.
In this talk Gullu introduces the 5 hindrances: Desire, Aversion, Sloth/Torpor, Restlessness & Doubt and how they keep us from feeling comfortable or "at home" with the present moment. He also introduces the acronym RAFT from Gil Fronsdal as a method of working with them. RAFT is Recognize, Allow, Feel & Tease Apart.
The talk uses some visual aids which can be found at https://links.gullusingh.com/mj1
This talk explores the intersection of mettā practice and equanimity, in particular how the mettā training process creates and impartiality of mind that is the cornerstone of equanimity. The talk also explores the Buddha's teaching that with the cultivation of mettā no limiting action remains and how the practice naturally reveals the places where the heart is limited and the fruitfulness of investigating the energies in this so-called purification process.
Reflections around Dukkha and its cause, the two fundamental roots, and the importance of contemplating change. Guest/dust simile and noticing that which never changes.
