Below are the discussion questions prepared by our volunteer facilitator, Kathryn Harris, for the IMC-Lewes Dharma Study Group on Monday, September 21, 2026. These questions cover Chapter 1: A Constant Squeeze from The Magnanimous Heart by Narayan Helen Liebenson.

This page has been formatted for printing and use during the discussion. You can print this post (and save it as a PDF if you wish), or download the original PDF.

1. “A constant squeeze” — I am intrigued by Liebenson’s interpretation of dukkha, which has given me a bit different understanding of the term. I have typically seen dukkha as something sharp and distinctive like an infected tooth or an acute pain. “A constant squeeze,” however, refers to dukkha as a constant presence—it’s not going away!
   • Does this alter your understanding of dukkha in any significant way?
2. “Loss always feels utterly personal when we experience it even though it is not personal at all because loss is a given for all of us. When we acknowledge the universality, the sense of loneliness, of alienation and separateness can ease.” (P.4)
   • Has this been your experience?
   • Because loss is individual and unique as well as universal, how do we hold both realities at the same time, honoring the uniqueness of our own loss in the light of the universality of the experience?
   • Do you agree with Liebenson that “Loss is one of the hardest aspects of being human, of being embodied” (P12). If yes, why is this so for Liebenson and yourself?
3. Liebenson says that ‘we meditate to tame our minds and to train our hearts to discover for ourselves, a peace that is truly unconditional.’ (P. 9).
   • Is this why you meditate?
4. After elaborating on the inevitable changes and losses that one will experience in our lives, Liebenson asks: “How can we lead a meaningful life in the very midst of knowing that situations and conditions are always changing and even the best of circumstances will always come to an end?” (P. 8)
   • How do you answer this for yourself at this time?
5. Liebenson describes a time of experiencing multiple losses:
   • How did curiosity pull her out of a potentially very stuck place?
   • How might asking ‘What does life want of me right now?’ (P 13.) shift and direct our focus when we might be feeling overwhelmed? How do we engage strong feelings without being overwhelmed by them?
   • What is the ‘light of awareness’ that Liebenson recommends? What does she mean when she says ‘awareness does its own work?’ (p. 14)

Liebenson presents some very interesting ideas. I look forward to our exploring them together.

Kathryn Harris