An interesting thing happened on the way to groceries today that led to me picking up this book. Our organic market has several in this series.
Another driver followed us after he thought my frustrated pointing at a four way stop sign was my middle finger. He was threatening us with his car until I pulled over.
I reacted in self defense to confront him but with peace in my heart. We both wound up finding a bit of understanding and compassion. #buddhism#zen#zazen
This is day four of what feels like a subtle and profound change with my mind. Having hyperphantasia (a very powerful ability to visualize) I approach experiences like this with a certain amount of skepticism. I think I have enough direct experience to understand that what is going isn't only my imagination.
My mind feels more spacious. Feelings come and go, just as present but attenuated. Unless I attach or align to them. I feel more ability to do so voluntarily. #zen#zazen#buddhism
Over the past few weeks I’ve come across little reminders of the 15yrs-ish long Buddhist practice and spiritual walk I once had.
It’s been kind of….
sigh
It's brought back some fond memories.
Along with those little reminders, the recent, violent storm we experienced here in the Houston area was a big reminder. And then today, I had an appointment with my liver doctor. They have all reminded me of some of the teachings in which I tried to live my life.
And while I somewhat remember most of those I studied …
impermanence,
compassion for others and one's self,
connectedness and oneness, etc. I haven’t kept them at the forefront of my mind for nearly ten years?... twelve? I mean, I aspire to be a good person but I miss the mark daily. I am trying though. (see my pinned post)
Not sure why I’m posting this.
Maybe I needed the reminder. Maybe it's a nudge to begin a mindful, intentional practice again.
Another day #today where my growing equanimity really helped me. This stage of my practice is still young, I will get to layering in benevolence soon enough. Judging from the reactions to my facial expression throughout the day, hopefully sooner rather than later.
I promise this experience is actually less distressing for me than it appears, either in my posts or in person. The feelings are the same as they've always been, how I experience and respond to them is changing. #zen#zazen#buddhism
One very clear positive is that more of the teachings I've been studying are now making more sense. This is the way of things. I've learned that a key to #zen is direct experience. Even if what that means is a bit of a puzzle itself.
This is what my direct experience is like. I am not a poet, please forgive me if how I talk about it is a bit raw. #zazen#buddhism
Hey friends, I need some help! The husband and I have started a sitting meditation group here in DC and I need to get a website up. I have bought the domain name.
I'm wondering what the easiest "build it yourself" website hosting company is for someone over 60 who didn't grow up doing this?
The website itself will just be a marketing tool with 3 or 4 pages.
Alternatively, if anyone wants to do this for free or cheap, let me know!
I woke with anxiety #today. I often do and am learning how better to deal with it. I have to lead a meeting with my new team later this morning. Could be simple social anxiety but may be connected with other concerns about being a new employee.
I've tapped into my equanimity and deployed some tools. I am good, if not happy or excited. At all events, I will feel better after the meeting. And hopefully have another experience to help tame that specific anxiety.
To clarify, thanks to my deepening meditation and reflection practices, anxiety feels different to me now. Hard to explain but maybe less immediate or urgent expresses some of it. Still not pleasant but thanks to my stronger equanimity, I am able to simply be with it, examine it, and that is usually enough to start letting it go. #zen#zazen#buddhism
Here is where he was born, the remains of the palace in Tilaurakot, where he was raised, & the east gate of the palace from where he left to seek enlightenment.
(How I had ended up here, a few months ago, is for another day.)
I heard a great interview with a dharma teacher who really identified and clarified the discomfort I have been feeling as my meditation practice has deepened.
That unease has lessened or maybe I've gotten used to it. The interview also validated how I've been choosing to explore the unease and use new to me tools to work with it. #zen#buddhism
#Buddhism#BuddhistCanon
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Kajū-ji or Kanshū-ji (勸修寺) is a Shingon Buddhist temple in Kyōto founded in 900 by Emperor Daigo. It is near Daigo-ji and was built where the Emperor's wife lived as a tribute to her. The Imperial family traditionally provided the head priests.
I go there mainly for the garden and pond, which are also historic. Wisteria blossoms are over, and now there are yellow, purple, and white irises in the pond along with pink and white water lilies. I've also noticed big herons nesting in the treetops, but they are too far for a mobile phone to capture a clear picture. By the pond I did startle a young egret, to my regret 😅 .
Faithful laity sending dāna/act of generosity of fresh vegetables to feed the forest Sangha and children of Dhammagiri Foundation, home to orphans and disadvantaged children from the hill tribes of Mae Hong Son, Northern Thailand.🙏
Okay, I finished reading the Majjhima Nikāya this morning. That means I'm approximately half way done with the Pali Canon of #Buddhism I started in October. Next up is the Samyutta Nikāya, which academics say is the oldest layer in the collection.