“When our mind is calm, it reflects reality accurately, without distortion. Breathing, sitting, and walking with mindfulness calms disturbing mental formations such as anger, fear, and despair, allowing us to see reality more clearly.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh Tao & Zen
Category Archives: Buddhism
A monk’s come knocking On my brushwood gate
A monk’s come knocking On my brushwood gate, Wanting to discuss weighty matters Of great Zen import: Excuse this mountain priest, Too lazy to open his mouth But warblers are singing All…
We don’t know how to suffer
“The main affliction of our modern civilization is that we don’t know how to handle the suffering inside us and we try to cover it up with all kinds of consumption.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh I…
Source: We don’t know how to suffer
Why?
We who are like children, shrink from pain, but love its causes. We hurt ourselves through our misdeeds. So why should others be the object of our rage? —Arya Shantideva, Bodhicharyavatara, 6.45
Source: Why?
Real Monastics
Neither going about naked, nor with matted locks,
nor filthy, nor fasting, nor lying on the ground,
nor smearing oneself with ashes and dust,
nor sitting on the heels in penance,
can purify one who has not overcome doubt.
Even though one be well attired, yet if one is poised,
calm, controlled and established in the holy life,
having set aside violence towards all beings,
one truly is holy, a renunciate, a monastic.
―Buddha Shakyamuni
Cause and Effect
Giving food, one gives and later receives strength.
Giving clothes, one gives and later receives beauty.
Giving medicine, one gives and later receives health.
Giving shelter, one gives and later receives protection.
Giving transport, one gives and later receives swift ease.
Giving lamps, one gives and later receives light and sight.
Giving learning, one gives and later receives intelligence.
Giving Dharma, one gives and later receives deathlessness.
Clip from one of my favourite movies: Ghost Dog – Emptiness is Form
Walking Meditation
greatmiddleway.wordpress.com
Walking meditation is a bridge between formal sitting meditation and informal meditation in everyday activities. It is also useful if you want to meditate for long periods continuously. Alternating sitting and walking provides a way to relieve the stress on your body without ever leaving meditation entirely. Walking also serves as an antidote to both the tiredness and restlessness that can obstruct meditation.
Walking meditation is easiest in a quiet place without distractions or obstacles. An empty room large enough to walk in circles is suitable. Even better is an unobstructed natural setting, such as a park. Walking meditation is valuable but more difficult in an urban setting.
Walk with your eyes looking downwards at about 45 degrees, but keep the head upright. Allow your gaze to move smoothly over the ground, rather than jumping from one point to the next. This is much easier if you allow your eyes…
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Impossible
Zen Flash. 🙂
Meditation is important because it brings people back to this very moment. And it’s usually the last place anyone wants to be, yet we cannot escape it. That is why many suffer, they wish for a different moment, a different Now, and it’s impossible.
~ Charlie Smith
Examine Your Own Mind – The Great Middle Way
To see if you’re aware of impermanence or not, check whether your plans are long or short term. To see if you perceive samsara as flawed or not, check how strong are your attachments. To see …
Source: Examine your own mind
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