Friday, 8 January 2010
Saturday, 2 January 2010
Not Reacting to Content
Eckhart Tolle has been a huge inspiration to me, whilst not a Buddhist he talks about many Buddhist principles in his teachings. The following little clip is a lovely example of Eckhart talking about equanimity and emptiness.
I must have watched this clip about 100 times! I find it useful, as a little reminder to separate my sense of self from my Buddha nature!
I must have watched this clip about 100 times! I find it useful, as a little reminder to separate my sense of self from my Buddha nature!
Friday, 1 January 2010
Buddhist Meditation is Relaxing with the Truth
A friend of mine kindly brought the following article to my attention.
Buddhist Meditation is Relaxing with the Truth.
Buddhist Meditation is Relaxing with the Truth.
Thursday, 31 December 2009
Using the Tools We Were Given
Suffering occurs. So what tools do we have at our disposal to cope with the situation? As mammals we are also endowed with innate impulses toward generosity, kindness, compassion, and cooperation, which help counteract and at times override the more primal selfish instincts. More significantly, we also have a protruding prefrontal cortex capable of introspection, self-reflection, and mindfulness. Encouraging us to put this organ to work, the Buddha proceeds in our text to say:
He understands thus: “There has arisen in me what is agreeable, there has arisen what is disagreeable, there has arisen what is both agreeable and disagreeable.”
This observation might not sound like much, but it is a huge step. Bringing awareness to the inner life allows light to shine in the darkness. Seeing what arises and passes away in the mind and body each moment allows what we experience to become something known and understood, rather than something shaped entirely by invisible, unconscious conditioning. Such mindfulness provides the necessary prerequisite for the next transformative step pointed to by the Buddha: insight into the nature of phenomena.
- Andrew Olendzki, "In the Blink of an Eye" (Spring 2006)
He understands thus: “There has arisen in me what is agreeable, there has arisen what is disagreeable, there has arisen what is both agreeable and disagreeable.”
This observation might not sound like much, but it is a huge step. Bringing awareness to the inner life allows light to shine in the darkness. Seeing what arises and passes away in the mind and body each moment allows what we experience to become something known and understood, rather than something shaped entirely by invisible, unconscious conditioning. Such mindfulness provides the necessary prerequisite for the next transformative step pointed to by the Buddha: insight into the nature of phenomena.
- Andrew Olendzki, "In the Blink of an Eye" (Spring 2006)
Wednesday, 30 December 2009
New Years Eve
Out with the old, and in with the new right? I guess it's a time for reflection and resolution making.
How will you be spending your NYE?
This year (for the first time ever) I will be spending my NYE with my local Sangha, meditating and listening to various speakers talk about purification. Should be interesting. Usually, (I have to be honest) I get pulled along to a house party where I drink too much and make silly conversation.
How will you be spending your NYE?
This year (for the first time ever) I will be spending my NYE with my local Sangha, meditating and listening to various speakers talk about purification. Should be interesting. Usually, (I have to be honest) I get pulled along to a house party where I drink too much and make silly conversation.
Tuesday, 29 December 2009
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