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 »
Is there anything I can do to make myself enlightened? As little as you can do to make the sun rise in the morning. Then of what use are the spiritual exercises you prescribe? To make sure you are not asleep when the sun begins to rise. Anthony deMelloOne Minute Wisdom Not sure who Anthony
Anthony deMello – The Dawning of Enlightenment Read Post »
Second slogan of the 7 Point Mind Training. What is this teaching pointing at? Well, just like the previous slogan it emphasises the ultimate aspect of mind. Previously we were enjoined to examine the nature of appearances. What is the nature of what we experience, of all the phenomena which appear to our ‘minds eye’?
Examine the Nature of the Unborn Mind Read Post »
‘Regard all dharmas as dreams’. This is the first slogan of the second section of the ‘Seven Points of Mind Training’. It’s the first of the slogans which emphasise the ultimate quality of Bodhicitta – that of Emptiness. I’ve been bringing this to mind the last few days. I remember many years ago, when first
Regard all Phenomena as Dreams Read Post »
From a post to a Dharma List: Is desire the same as attachment? Most translations of Buddhist terms will use craving or attachment interchangeably. They both are used for when we take an object and exaggerate the positive qualities of that object, and as a result, we feel a neurotic desire to have or possess
Use the Blade to Cut the Blade Read Post »
I was reflection on the notion that attachment or desire is not just for objects, but also for our sense of self. We are not only attached to things of the material world, (and also to thoughts and emotions), but also to our sense of who we are too. All of them we think of
Illusory Objects of Desire Read Post »
I was reflecting on covetousness, and the whole area of craving this morning. I was in particular wondering why my mind tends to focus in a particular way in relation to this. In a sense, it has a choice. It can either focus on what it has already got, or on what it is lacking
Covetousness – Craving Read Post »
His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Trinley Thaye Dorje is currently in Malaysia, and leading a variety of Pujas, Empowerments and other Dharma activities. I’m documenting what’s happening at the Kuala Lumpur centre, and trying to keep up with events as best I can by posting to the centre website:Karma Kagyu Dharma Society, Kuala Lumpur (now
His Holiness 17th Karmapa in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Read Post »
Is there anything more beautiful in this world of ours than a deep blue, almost clear sky, with traces of white puffy cloud? How indescribable is the depth of that ‘blueness’ …. seen in mind, in the present, with full awareness? Sky’s vast openness perfectly mirrors the nature of mind … open and unlimited, vivid
