One of the fundamental teachings of Mahayana Buddhism is that every being has the potential for awakening—buddhanature. Yet out of the billions of people on this planet, the overwhelming majority are locked by necessity or by choice into a materialistic approach to life. In all probability, no more than a few million have even a possibility of … [Read more...] about On (Not) Being Special
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A Passage To Light
A simple ceremony when someone close to you dies When someone close to us dies, our connection with that person is broken and cannot be restored. Yet the web of connections does not disintegrate right away. It gradually unravels — strands releasing one by one. Each strand is a memory or a recollection, arising in no particular order, triggered by a … [Read more...] about A Passage To Light
Freedom and Choice
A few years ago, I was teaching a workshop on the Heart Sutra. We had just finished that long list of negations and everyone was a bit off balance, having had the rug pulled out from under them four or five different ways. The next lines were, "Because for bodhisattvas there is no attainment, they rest, trusting the perfection of wisdom." "When he … [Read more...] about Freedom and Choice
What Are You Looking For In A Teacher?
Teacher, guru, or spiritual friend, what are you looking for? The spiritual path has many challenges. There are many things we need to learn or develop. A short list would probably include motivation, skills in meditation and prayer, contemplation, etc. Like music and painting, most of us learn spiritual practice better with someone, rather, than, … [Read more...] about What Are You Looking For In A Teacher?
Meditating On The Four Immeasurables 4
Equanimity, Loving-kindness, Compassion, Joy Meditating on The Four Immeasurables, Parts 1-4 MFI 1 MFI 2 MFI 3 MFI 4 JoyDownload Meditation instruction on Joy, participants' experience with that meditation including joy, passion, excitement, and fun; what is meant by the line “May I experience the world celebrating my efforts” … [Read more...] about Meditating On The Four Immeasurables 4
Meditating On The Four Immeasurables 3
Equanimity, Loving-kindness, Compassion, Joy Meditating on The Four Immeasurables, Parts 1-4 MFI 1 MFI 2 MFI 3 MFI 4 CompassionDownload Meditation instruction for compassion, participants' experience with that meditation including heartbreak and movement of energy; being present in the suffering of others. … [Read more...] about Meditating On The Four Immeasurables 3