Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:18:57 -0700WeeblyTue, 21 Jul 2026 14:38:27 GMThttps://www.tulsayogameditationcenter.com/blog/buddhist-generosityBuddhism recognizes four important types of generosity:
- The first is material generosity, giving material things to those who don't have enough. . . . 
- The second is emotional generosity when we share our time and emotions. . . . 
- The third is generosity of good counsel when we encounter people who are captive to negative emotions such as anger, hopelessness, despair, anxiety, depression, bitterness. . . . It has to be conveyed as friendship, as we try to help guide their minds and emotions to a more noble path. . . . 
- The fourth one is offering the generosity of protection from danger. . . . Defending a Muslim American woman who is being verbally attacked; rescuing an animal; driving a homeless person to a shelter. . . . 
Reflection: 1) How and when have you benefited from any of these? 
2) How and when have you offered these generosities to others?
-Victor M Parachin, Buddhist Wisdom for Beginners]]>Sat, 18 Jul 2026 18:27:21 GMThttps://www.tulsayogameditationcenter.com/blog/a-generous-spiritSometime today, close your eyes and take a few moments to consider how your actions impact your life and the lives of those around you. Ask yourself: How would my life and the lives of those around me be different if I worked to be thoughtful, gentle, generous, kind and compassionate at all times?
-Victor M Parachin, Eastern Wisdom for Western Minds
]]>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 19:44:58 GMThttps://www.tulsayogameditationcenter.com/blog/top-ten-reasons-to-meditate10. Meditation improves physical health.
9. Meditation improves mental health.
8. Meditation improves spiritual health.
7. Meditation deepens intuition.
6. Meditation generates feelings of peace.
5. Meditation increases self-awareness.
4. Meditation increases creativity.
3. Meditation increases spontaneity.
2. Meditation makes it easier to get along with others.
1. Meditation makes you easier to get along with.
-Victor M Parachin, Think Like the Buddha
]]>Sat, 11 Jul 2026 19:02:04 GMThttps://www.tulsayogameditationcenter.com/blog/breath-awareness-meditation- Sit comfortably
- Gently close your eyes
- Bring attention to your nostrils
- As you inhale, note the subtle flow of cool air entering your nostrils
- As you exhale, note that the air passing out of you is warmer
- Breathe naturally
- If your mind begins to drift and thoughts enter, gently acknowledge that you became distracted and bring your attention back to the cool/warm air entering and exiting
-Victor M Parachin, Sit a Bit
]]>Tue, 07 Jul 2026 16:20:24 GMThttps://www.tulsayogameditationcenter.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-friendHaving good friends is like being equipped with a powerful auxiliary engine. When we encounter a steep hill or an obstacle, we can encourage each other and find the strength to keep pressing forward." -Daisaku Ikeda
Buddhist teachers are universal in stressing that the company we keep, that the people we choose as friends, is vitally important. The technical term for good companions is "sattva" or "sattvic" people. This is an individual whose thoughts, words and actions are guided and infused with light, compassion, insight, wisdom, and emotional-spiritual intelligence.
-Victor M Parachin, Buddhist Wisdom for Beginners
]]>Sat, 04 Jul 2026 18:57:57 GMThttps://www.tulsayogameditationcenter.com/blog/focused-mind-part-3Consider developing your own gathas for your own specific needs. Let your creativity flow as you do this. You can also write gathas for a friend who is hurting or sick. For example, should you have a friend who is facing a life-threatening illness, you might offer your friend a gatha that could be used at the beginning of each day: "This new day is a precious gift. I have the opportunity to live this day in a way that will bring, peace, joy and contentment to myself and to everyone I encounter."
-Victor M Parachin, Eastern Wisdom for Western Minds]]>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:56:48 GMThttps://www.tulsayogameditationcenter.com/blog/focused-mind-part-2Unlike a mantra, which is always the same, gathas can be as different as the need or issue before you. Other ways to use gathas can include common daily events such as:
- Eating: "I am grateful for this meal and will consume it mindfully, appreciatively."
- Exercising: "I am grateful for the gift of my body. I will treat it with respect, giving it the activity it needs to remain healthy and strong."
- Listening: "My friend needs me to hear him/her. I remain open, receptive and nonjudgmental."
- Working: "My work allows me to feed, shelter and clothe myself and my family. I am thankful and will offer my best on the job."
- Driving: "As I commute and drive, I do so with care and compassion for others on the road."
-Victor M Parachin, Eastern Wisdom for Western Minds]]>Sat, 27 Jun 2026 21:41:21 GMThttps://www.tulsayogameditationcenter.com/blog/focused-mind-part-1The word gatha refers to a short statement that can be recited during the day in order to better focus the mind. In Buddhist communities, a gatha is often a short verse from their sutras (scriptures). . . . However, a gatha does not need to come from a sacred scripture. . . . You can write your own to meet your own specific needs and situations. . . . 
- When feeling anxious, breathe in and say "Calmness in." As you exhale, say "Anxiety out." Repeat the phrase, combined with your breath, as many times as necessary. . . . 
- When feeling fear, breathe in, saying "Courage in." As you exhale, say "Fear out." . . . 
- When feeling stressed, follow the same pattern with your breath: "Peace in; stress out."
-Victor Parachin, ​Eastern Wisdom for Western Minds]]>Tue, 23 Jun 2026 13:08:00 GMThttps://www.tulsayogameditationcenter.com/blog/make-today-countEach evening at the Zen Mountain Monastery in New York these words are changed prior to a period of meditation:

Let me respectfully remind you,
Life and death are of supreme importance.
Time swiftly passes by and opportunities are lost,
Each of us should strive to awaken . . . awaken
Take heed.
Do not squander your life.
-Victor M Parachin, Think Like the Buddha
]]>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 19:01:03 GMThttps://www.tulsayogameditationcenter.com/blog/health-happiness-holiness-mantraBefore beginning this meditation, remember to take a few deep inhalations and exhalations and then return to normal breathing. 
Healthy am I
Happy am I
Holy am I
Whole am I
-Victor M Parachin, Sit a Bit
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