[Yifnvmzp]

It is very good to read your reflections, Steve, and there's a lot of content to encourage the beginner, too.

I realise that Dharma is helping me to see things just as they are.

This is also my experience with meditation.

I still am ruled by my emotions and victim of my poor judgement, but from time to time I see just how I am affected and how I allow myself to be affected (by my emotions and judgement).

After seeing comes the opportunity to change my actions. It's not so easy as walking through an open door. It needs courage and strength to change the habits of a lifetime.

I find the teacher(s) at my meditation group to be a great help. They gently advise me on dealing with problems that I find with meditation and skilfully avoid any discussion about the real-world issues that vex me sometimes. Because when I develop my practice, I will have the means to deal with those issues myself.