Based on dependent origination something occurs, yet There is no arising nor passing away. There is no nihilism nor eternalism. There is no coming nor going. There are not many nor one event(s). Whatever tends to be elaborated becomes almost calm again and again. Nagarjuna When you meditate it seems as though a lot of […]
The Eight Extremes – Nagarjuna’s Madhyamaka teaching Read Post »
A profound question that challenges perceptions and invites a deeper understanding of reality. You don’t need to answer the question with words, with an answer. Just rest in the shift that the question brings about: What Colour is the Wind? Zen saying
What Colour is the Wind? – Zen Koan Read Post »
In the process of searching for all that manifests as mind and matter There is neither anything to be found nor is there any seeker, For to be unreal is to be unborn and unceasing In the three periods of time. That which is immutable Is the state of great bliss. Savaripa I thought I’d
Savaripa on the Nature of Mind Read Post »
I was reading and meditating on this Dharma song from Kalu Rinpoche last night, and thought I’d share the beginning of it. Rinpoche’s description of Mahamudra meditation comes from the Shangpa Kagyu tradition, but is no different to the Kagyu teachings I’ve received. Rest in awareness, without trying to do anything – and mind will
Dharma Song (excerpt) from Kalu Rinpoche Read Post »
I love this quotation from Franz Kafka – it really speaks to me about how easy it is to do something in meditation, to try to fabricate experience. It speaks so well of how I can let go of a sense of effort, of a sense of goal, or even of something to evaluate the
Simply Wait – Franz Kafka Read Post »
I was just reflecting on just how much time I spend rehearsing my life, rather than, in a sense, just living it directly. By this I mean …. how much time do I spend thinking about what I should do in the future? How much time is caught up in going through various scenarios of
Rehearsing my life Read Post »
I came across this today, an excerpt from Karen Armstrong’s upcoming book – The Case for God. It was such a beautiful piece of writing about the extraordinariness of One who is Awake that I thought I’d reproduce it here: From almost the very beginning, men and women have repeatedly engaged in strenuous and committed
I began this post a couple of months ago and wasn’t able to finish it. I thought I’d just publish what was there, as the teaching from Khakhyab Dorje is extraordinarily rich … Last night I dreamt of the 15th Karmapa, Khakhyab Dorje, so thought sharing ‘Melody of Buzzing Bees’ would be auspicious. Just a
Reflection on Khakhyab Dorje – Melody of Buzzing Bees Read Post »
Today is a good day to die! Tasunka Witko, Crazy Horse If you are truly prepared for death like this, then you are truly prepared for life too. Only then.
Today is a Good Day to Die – Crazy Horse Read Post »
I love this quote by Shunryu Suzuki. It’s not about having special experience. No experience will ‘save you’ or give you eternal happiness. You cannot take refuge in particular experiences, however uplifting or extraordinary. Not satori, not insight, not enlightenment, not getting there. Zen is not some kind of excitement, but concentration on our usual
Nothing Special – Shunryu Suzuki Read Post »
