I turn to Ryokan’s poetry over and over again. For me, nobody captures in poetry the magical essence of the spiritual life, indeed, of life like he does. How wonderous his words, painting pictures – pictures that rest in the heart, illuminating form and emptiness, and their interplay. When all thoughts are exhausted When all […]
Reflections on Ryokan’s Zen Poems – The Butterfly and the Flower Read Post »
Rumi’s poem The Real Threat … Nothingness. Shunyata. Emptiness. Just so. If it escapes, the lover’s breath, and strikes the universe of fire, That universe without origin, it will dissolve into particles. The entire universe becomes sea, out of fear that the sea will turn to nothing. Neither man nor humanity remain when man is
Rumi – The Real Threat … Nothingness Read Post »
Issa Kobayashi’s poignant haiku about life’s fleeting nature. So few in words, yet so utterly profound. This World of Dew: The world of dew — A world of dew it is indeed, And yet, and yet . . . 露の世は露の世ながらさりながらTsuyu no yo wa tsuyu no yo nagara sari nagara Issa KobayashiDew on the Grass: The
This World of Dew – Issa Kobayashi Read Post »
In reply to a question from her son, Gangpa Muksang, as to what is the meaning of ‘devil’ Machig Labdron replied: That which is called devil is not some actual great big black thing that scares and petrifies whomever sees it. A devil is anything that obstructs the achievement of freedom. … Most of all,
Reflections on Machig Labdron – The Material Devil Read Post »
It’s interesting how the death of those close to us leads to something of a Bardo in consciousness – a space where so much which seems to flow on automatic stops – a place where we are afforded a vantage point from which to view what is, one that is so advantageous to us as
Impermanence and Death Read Post »
Reflecting on how easy it is to get swept up in wanting and not-wanting, based on misunderstanding the impermanent and not-self nature of all things, the activities of this life, and the apparent pleasures that arise in it are seductive and yet illusory. How true it is that that which we grasp after slips like
Wordly Things are Pitiful – Milarepa Read Post »
At the age of fourty-one, Machig Labdron stayed in a retreat cave in Chipug which was blessed for practice. On the fourth day of the last month of spring, in the middle of the night, the majestic Lady Tara appeared, surrounded by numerous dakinis. She bestowed on Machig the four initiations of the five primordial
Tara and Machig Labdron Read Post »
My only thought is of my Lama. My only prayer is to realize Oneness with his Buddha mind. I have no other practice Than following the natural flow, freely enjoying The sublime freedom of nonaction. Meditation beyond fixation, Aimless and free from all constrictions and limitations, Mingling my mind with his In the wisdom of
Reflections on Phukong Tulku Rinpoche – My only thought is of my Lama Read Post »
One of the nice things about being ill is that the circumstances of your life are rather different from ‘normal’, and as a result, it gives you a different vantage point from which to view how things are. Instead of the usual routine, you are forced into a different one, one which may well disrupt
It’s funny how often recently when I’ve been reading other people’s Dharma blogs that I’ve found that the only thing I can contribute by way of a comment is a simple smile. So often something in their posts just ‘hits the mark’ and words are really inadequate to express what I feel in response. And,
