I must cultivate stillness, one-pointedness, and clarity, resting contentedly in the luminous purity. This is Right Concentration. ―Jetsun Taranatha Now what, monks, is noble Right Concentration with its supports and requisite conditions? Any singleness of mind equipped with these seven factors —Right View, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Conduct, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, and Right […]
Originally posted on Pacific Northwest Life in Photographs: Click images The size of this courtyard is immense.
via Japan’s Largest Museum — Pacific Northwest Life in Photographs
The term translated into English as “mindfulness” originates in the Sanskrit term smrti and its Pali counterpart sati, which literally means “that which is remembered”. The primary connotation of the Sanskrit term smrti is “recollection”. Thus, mindfulness implies “remembering to be aware of something or to do something at a designated time”. Five Components of […]
And what is Right Effort? There is the case where one generates desire, endeavors, activates persistence, upholds and exerts one’s intent for the sake of the non-arising of unwholesome, unskillful …
Source: Right Effort
One of the cool things about living in Seoul is that you are never too far away from a palace. I mean an actual real life piece of history that you can simply stroll through (during open hours of c…
Source: Korean Palaces by Moonlight
Along with Right Speech and Right Action, Right Livelihood belongs to the component of Superior Discipline in the Eightfold Noble Path (the other two being Superior Meditation and Superior Wisdom).…
Source: Right Livelihood
Ikkyu, the Zen master, was very clever even as a boy. His teacher had a precious teacup, a rare antique. Ikkyu happened to break this cup and was greatly perplexed. Hearing the footsteps of his teacher, he held the pieces of the cup behind him. When the master appeared, Ikkyu asked: “Why do people have to die?”
“This is natural,” explained the older man. “Everything has to die and has just so long to live.”
Ikkyu, producing the shattered cup, added: “It was time for your cup to die.”
In Dharma traditions, and especially those associated with the Mahayana, or Great Vehicle, ‘Engaged Buddhism’ is not a new trend, whether in its social or environmental manifestations, but has been…
Source: Become engaged!
Changing Yourself Through Your Breath
| Deep breathing has been used to prepare for meditation since the beginning of human civilization. In the Hindu tradition, this practice was called pranayama and was used by yogis to improve their health and prepare for meditation.
My teacher used to say that “Your breath is your power”. And when you see someone full of energy and vitality, you’re seeing someone who understands the power of deep breathing. My friend Diana shows you a style of meditation that uses a powerful deep breathing technique on this page (click here to check it out). When you use a proper breathing technique, it will trigger natural and automatic movements which will relieve the tension that you have accumulated in your body. This will allow you to be far more mindful and will train your body to be effortlessly mindful in day to day life. That’s why my teacher was right to place so much importance on deep breathing. And it’s also why you should check out this style of meditation. Keep meditating!
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