48: Stepping back
How meditation lets us see how we set up our own contexts, and allows us to let them go.
How meditation lets us see how we set up our own contexts, and allows us to let them go.
How not doing is just fine.
How meditation allows us to let go of undigested assumptions and find peace of mind and deep meaning.
Sunday morning
Keeping effort at the right level.
I don’t mention it in the podcast, but the title is a reference to a piece of teaching the Buddha gave to a monk who used to be a musician before he was ordained. The monk was trying too hard in his practice, and eventually exhausted himself and became discouraged. The Buddha knew of his musical interest, and reminded him that tuning a string too tight or too slack will not produce the desired result. The monk understood, and was able to find right effort, and continued his training successfully.
More on balance and active training.
I finally get round to talking about Dharma, and how we can find the capacity to deal with things which we didn’t know we could work with.
Just a short one today, about pushing through resistance
How sitting still with acceptance is deeply healing.
I mention two Dharma talks which I listened to recently:
Rev. Master Jiyu: A True Master by Rev. Master Shiko Rom
Refining one’s purpose by Rev Master Daishin Morgan
Rev. Master Shiko Rom’s talk starts with a verse, which is traditionally recited before a lecture:
“The unsurpassed, penetrating and perfect Truth is seldom met with, even in a hundred thousand myriad kalpas. Now we can see and hear it, we can remember and accept it. I vow to make the Buddha’s Truth one with myself.”
Moving forward in difficulty, with a bright mind.
In the woods, unclear what to talk about, and a thank you.
Scattered thoughts on the boldness of the mind that seeks the Way.
Thoughts on facing our fears and moving forward. The temple I mention is Todaiji in Nara.
Finding peace wherever we are.
A talk about taking refuge in the Sangha. We need to connect.
How meditation allows us to let go of habits of mind and body.
Still going.
Some thoughts on a well known Zen saying - When the teacher points at the Moon, only a fool looks at the finger.
Some reflections on our senses as teachers.
Dusk by the lake, and reflections on perspectives.
How the last few days have felt like a meditation retreat, and how a retreat often feels.
Why training to attain ease is ultimately unsatisfactory.
I talk about one type of representation of the Boddhisatva of compassion, poised in thought.
A bit of teaching which was passed on to me in my very first introduction to formal meditation. Still true, still useful.
The importance of daily meditation.