The Gift of Waiting

When we are forced to wait, say in a traffic jam, our instinct is to do something to distract ourselves from the discomfort of waiting. We turn on the radio, call or text someone on the phone, or just sit and fume. Practicing mindfulness while waiting helps people find many small moments in the day when they can bring the thread of awareness up from where is lies hiding in the complex fabric of their lives. Waiting, a common event that usually produces negative emotions, can be transformed into a gift, the gift of free time to practice. The mind benefits doubly: first, by abandoning negative mind-states, and second, by gaining the beneficial effects of even a few extra minutes of practice woven into the day.

–Jan Chozen Bays

False Expectations Appearing Real

It's been a while...

Hello all,

I have become a little distant from the Dharma recently, I haven't practiced mindfulness in a long time, and have been totally distracted, and caught up in work/worldly things. Whilst I know that 'Buddha Mind' is inherent, I haven't been in touch with the spaciousness/stillness of Buddha mind in a while, doesn't feel good.

My heart has been seeking stillness of late, it's amazing how at times of stress/intense worldly activity...I'm subtly redirected to the Buddha's teachings.

Anywho, life is wonderful isn't it? x

Honouring Others

How To Be a Buddha

There is a simple way to become a buddha: When you refrain from unwholesome actions, are not attached to birth and death, and are compassionate toward all sentient beings, respectful to seniors and kind to juniors, not excluding or desiring anything, with no designing thoughts or worries, you will be called a buddha. Do not seek anything else.

-Eidei Dogen, "Birth and Death"

Anger vs. Patience

Think of anger. Anger is the mind that wishes to harm and hurt. Patience is the mind that holds back from harming or hurting. Anger is most difficult to deal with; patience is most difficult to develop. Patience is the only thing that defeats anger.

Don’t be disappointed if you can’t do it right away. Even after years of practice you may find that you’re still losing your temper. It’s all right. But you will also notice that the power of anger has weakened, that it doesn’t last as long, and does not as easily turn into hatred.

If patience comes easily to you, wonderful. If not, how do you go from anger to patience?

- Gelek Rimpoche, from "The Real Enemy" (Winter 2001)

Tonglen

Tonglen is a Mahayana Buddhist practice, I read about this inspiring practice in Pema Chodron's 'Start Where You Are'.

Tonglen is a practice that allows us to encourage and develop a genuine emotional warmth (known as metta or maitri) using the situations we encounter, in our day to day lives.

Instructions and more information.