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From Mindful Steps to Homo Conscious: The Living, Evolving Dharma
During our winter retreat, every step of walking meditation becomes an occasion to enjoy the present moment. The joy, solidity, and happiness born of mindful, concentrated walking enter into every cell of our body and—when practiced habitually—become part of our genetic and spiritual heritage. As a species, we have evolved through learning to adapt and survive stress; now we aspire to belong to a new “species” called Homo conscious, those who • walk mindfully, • eat mindfully, and • live each moment deeply.
The living Dharma is not a discourse but the energy of mindfulness, concentration, and joy that heals and transforms suffering as it manifests in our daily life. Because conditions change—mentality, culture, language—the Dharma must evolve. From the Buddha’s single discourse on mindful breathing emerged hundreds of teachings adapted to different groups. Mahayana Buddhism and our updated Five Mindfulness Trainings (e.g.,
- protecting life
- mindful consumption
- responsible sexual behavior
- …
-
…)
are expressions of this evolutive Dharma, keeping the living Buddha, the living Dharma, and the living Sangha available here and now.
Adaptation can take two paths:
- Resistance by mindfulness, which inscribes wisdom into our cells and is passed on genetically or spiritually to children and disciples.
-
Mimicking destructive tactics—like arms races—that lead to collective ruin.
True refuge in the Three Jewels is a practice of touching the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha in every mindful breath, step, and smile, ensuring the continuation of the race of mindfulness—Homo conscious—for generations to come.