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It's summer time here in the U.S. which means we can a little bit lighter in spirit, at least that's what we most of us would like to be the case!
Light Reading
It's summer time here in the U.S. which means we can a little bit lighter in spirit, at least that's what we most of us would like to be the case!
On the Wrong Side of a Knife: Staying Fearless and Present in the Face of Danger
“Give it up,” he said and I heard a click. I glanced down, and there was a switchblade pointed at my belly. I looked up and with genuine surprise replied, “What do you mean?” as I took my hands and arms away from my body.
Begin at the beginning, end at the end.
Begin at the beginning, end at the end refers to a very practical and straight foward practice that I recommend to everyone. (excerpt by Norman Fischer, Training in Compassion: Zen Teachings of the Practice of Lojong, Shambhala Publications Inc., 2013)
Two Simple Practices for Sensitive Hearts in Not so Simple Times
It can be difficult to be involved in knowing about and staying up to date with the news of the world day after day. Our heart mind might feel overwhelmed, angry, triggered, some of us might even be feeling hopeless [...]
Like a Bowl
What would it be like to receive whatever was given and not reject, close down or desire more? I’ve been imagining how to be more like this by imagining myself as a bowl. Either simply by picturing myself as [...]
Self-Practice as the Foundation for Social Action: How to thrive and sustain personal well being in the field of yoga service.
To be engaged with skillful action in the world requires dedication, perseverance, wisdom and compassion. I’ll describe what I mean by these terms. Dedication to a cause is a commitment fueled by enthusiasm and a conviction that we can make a difference to a particular person, circumstance or to society. Perseverance is “persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success”[1] and may be ultimately understood as a reinforcing combination of conviction, a long-term view, patience and determination (firmness of purpose[2]). Wisdom is the “quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment.”[3] Is also Prajñā (Sanskrit) or paññā (Pāli) in Buddhism an understanding, discernment, insight, or cognitive acuity. “Such wisdom is understood to exist in the universal flux of being and can be intuitively experienced through meditation”. [4] Wisdom is required to see deeply into the nature of a problem, as well as to cultivate insight into the appropriate means of facilitating solutions; it is not rash or impulsive but thoughtful and considered. Compassion emerges from three interrelated qualities: the wisdom of seeing things as they are; an experiential understanding of interdependence (i.e. the absolute connection between ourselves and others); and a genuine concern for the welfare of all sentient beings.