Did I love well? Did I live fully? Did I learn to let go? Jack KornfieldA Path with Heart I’ve recently been delving back into ‘A Path with Heart’ by Jack Kornfield after many years, and once again came across this lovely aphorism. He relates how when one is lying on your deathbed you are […]
The Measure of a Life Read Post »
Following on from yesterday’s reflection on the simple pleasure of sitting, just sitting – it struck me today how odd it is in a way that I can get so much joy from just looking at trees, the sky and the wind. I’d just finished meditating yesterday, and looked up and out at the trees.
I’ve found myself experiencing some wonderment recently, at how pleasurable simply sitting still is, and doing absolutely nothing, (other than remaining in awareness). Doing nothing? How much of my life is caught up in doing? How much of it is to do with getting somewhere, achieving something, or trying to somehow alter what actually is?
One familiar grouping of emotional obscurations in Buddhism is the five poisons – greed, hatred, pride, jealousy and ignorance. I was reflecting this morning that my predominant poison has changed from what it was 6 months ago … so …. Let’s ‘name and shame’ !!!! My predominant poison at present is anger / hatred. (It’s
What’s your Poison? Read Post »
I thought I’d therefore share some further reflections on Gampopa’s threefold classification of Compassion (from The Jewel Ornament of Liberation). Compassion with reference to Sentient beings Gampopa’s first category – ‘Compassion with reference to Sentient beings’ is simply the desire to help beings when we see that they are suffering. However, due to our level
Deepening Compassion Read Post »
In a sense, what distinguishes the three types of Compassion that Gampopa sets out in ‘Jewel Ornament of Liberation’ is the development and level of our Compassion and our Wisdom. With the first, Compassion with reference to Sentient Beings, we see beings suffering, and we feel a response to that suffering which is our compassion.
Similar to the sun as it rises in the sky, may this sacred Chod practice that cuts demons Flourish in all directions and at all times. Drogon Karma Chagmed These words, which come towards the end of my Chod practice, always resonate deeply, seeming to come from deep within, and seeming to connect with something
Chod Aspiration Prayer Read Post »
(The third slogan of the Seven Points of Mind Training). This slogan is the third of the points on the actual practice – the cultivation of Bodhicitta. Let even the remedy subside …. The antidote will vanish of itself …. Even the Antidote Itself is Liberated in its own Place …. What is the Remedy
Self Liberate Even the Antidote Read Post »
What is this thing called life? When I look at what I experience … what do I see? Things and people I interact with? …. actually, colours and shapes and sounds that arise in experience. When I look for them ….these people and things … where are they? Nowhere. Only shapes and colours, and sounds
What is Life? Who am I? Read Post »
I thought I’d just share this teaching from Pema Chodron on one of the slogans of the 7 Point Mind Training. This one cuts really deep for me, and has had a profound influence on my practice. It’s such an interesting area … this tension between trying to get somewhere (other than where we are
Abandon any Hope of Fruition Read Post »
