Tulsa Yoga Meditation Center, 5319 S. Sheridan Rd, Tulsa OK 74145

Compassion for All Beings

4/14/2026

Spiritual wisdom from the East reminds us that animals--including insects--are not merely other creatures with whom humans happen to share the planet. They are our companions and teachers and exhibit qualities that humans would do well to imitate. Like humans, animals have a complete repertoire of emotions, such as joy, fear, guilt, anger, contentment, embarrassment, gratitude and grief. Many times they exhibit loyalty that puts human conduct to shame. The East reminds us to honor all beings!
-Victor M Parachin, Eastern Wisdom for Western Minds

Meditation in a Busy Public Place

4/11/2026

This meditation is best done in a busy, active place with many people coming and going. A mall is ideal as is a busy airport terminal or even a hospital or doctor's waiting room.
- Enter this public space mindfully.
- Find a place where you can sit and observe (not stare).
- Look around at the people walking by.
- Begin to imagine and understand that many of them feel fearful, anxious, lonely, abandoned.
- Some may even be dealing with serious health issues.
- Build a sense of connection with these strangers by reminding yourself: We are part of a common humanity. We are in this together. We share similar hopes and dreams, fears and anxieties. We are more alike than we are different.
- Conclude by sending this blessing to the strangers walking by you: May you be well. May you be peaceful. May you feel loved. May you feel safe and secure.
-Victor M Parachin, Sit a Bit

Right Effort

4/7/2026

To evolve morally and spiritually, Buddhism offers the eightfold noble path. Number six is "right effort," the cultivating of positive qualities and releasing negative ones. Buddhism fine tunes right effort into sub-categories called "four big efforts."

1. The effort to avoid negative not yet existing in our lives.
2. The effort to overcome negative which already exists in our thoughts and acts.
3. The effort to preserve the positive already developed in our thinking and acting.
4. The effort to develop the positive not yet existing in our minds, hearts and actions.

Driving the four big efforts teaching is the understanding that too many people have right intentions but neglect to put good ideas into practice, into daily life. This weakness is further strengthened by putting off for another day what we know should be done today. That's why it's important to cultivate the four great efforts daily--to avoid, overcome, preserve and develop.
-Victor M Parachin, Buddhist Wisdom for Beginners

You Are in Charge of Your Life

4/4/2026

Buddhism teaches that we humans have Buddha nature and all we need to do is recognize, respond and realize our true nature. The Buddha's perspective is more people friendly, reminding us that we are in charge of our lives and the direction we wish to move. In fact, the Buddha taught that the way to tap into our Buddha nature and end suffering is to engage in these three actions:
First, to cease from negative actions. . . .
Secondly, to do what is good. . . .
Thirdly, to purify and strengthen the mind. This means developing and deepening meditation because that is where we learn to use the mind skillfully.
-Victor M Parachin, Think Like the Buddha

Change Yourself and Change Your World

3/31/2026

Critical reflection on our own thoughts, words and behaviors is vital for spiritual and emotional growth. How important it is for people to practice self-inquiry. Such self-inquiry, to be most beneficial, must be done in a systematic way. Many spiritual teachers recommend a daily time of recollection and reflection whereby we calmly review our living. The goals of this practice are:
-to learn, not blame;
-to gain insight, not develop guilt;
-to be understanding, not condemning;
-to accept, not judge;
-to maximize strength while minimizing weakness.

This type of regular examination of conscience and spirit helps us to see where we need to make a change or take a corrective step. Doing so will bring about good choices, which in turn lead to good experiences. Another pleasant result is this: when we change ourselves, we often change our world.
-Victor M Parachin, Eastern Wisdom for Western Minds

Noise and Sound Meditations

3/28/2026

We can use sounds and noises to deepen our meditation. Some examples:

- If you hear a clock ticking, remind yourself, "Life is precious and short. I will do the best I can with the time I have."

- When you hear people laughing, remind yourself, "It is so good to hear sounds of laughter and joy. I will lighten my life through humor and laughter."

- If you hear sirens of an ambulance, offer this meditation: "May those who are ill or injured quickly receive medical services. May they recover from their illness or injury."

- When you hear rain coming down, say to yourself, "Just as the rains nourish the planet, my meditation practice nourishes my body, mind and spirit."
-Victor M Parachin, Sit a Bit

How Buddha Dealt with Difficult People

3/24/2026

Far too often we encounter difficult people, those who are inconsiderate, rude, arrogant, ignorant and even unkind. . . . The Buddha taught that we should be grateful for difficult people because they helped us refine and develop good character. . . . The Buddha instructed his followers to practice discipline and patience in four unpleasant situations.

First, when others become angry with you, do not react with anger but with discipline and patience. Secondly, if another person strikes you, do not retaliate or return blows. Thirdly, when others criticize you, do not criticize them in retaliation. Fourthly, when others insult you, do not respond by insulting or embarrassing them. . . .

The Buddha explained that there are four corresponding advantages--followers will improve their patience and discipline, bring harmony to their relationships, create more social goodwill and move more rapidly to awakening.
-Victor M Parachin, Buddhist Wisdom for Beginners

Your Spiritual Style

3/21/2026

The Bhagavad Gita is an essential Hindu sacred text. . . . In it, the God Krishna leads the warrior Arjuna to a higher and deeper understanding of his spiritual nature and how that is to work itself out in daily life. For those who believe in a Higher Power, the Gita offers these four "yogic" ways of deepening a connection with the Divine.

1. Through the intellect. If your style is to research, read, study then your best access to the Divine is via those intellectual approaches. This one is called Jnana yoga.
2. Through the heart. If your style is a heartfelt approach to life, then your best access to the Divine is through adoration and expression of love for the Divine. This one is called Bhakti yoga.
3. Through action. If your style is one of energetic activities, then your best access to the Divine is via serving others and offering that as your commitment to the Divine. This one is called Karma yoga.
4. Through the mind. If you are a reflective and introspective person, then your best access to the Divine is through meditation. This one is called Raja yoga.
-Victor M Parachin, Think Like the Buddha

What are Chakras?

3/17/2026

In Sanskrit, chakra means "wheel" or "disk." Eastern sages teach that chakras are vital energy centers flowing through the nerves up and down the spinal column and up to the head. Think of a vortex, which is a spiraling, whirling mass of water or air that sucks everything near it toward its center. Chakras are often described as spinning vortices channeling cosmic energy. These energies are considered part of our connection with the divine or higher consciousness. When the chakras operate optimally--that is when we are most united with the divine--we experience physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. On the other hand, when that energy is blocked or interrupted--when we are less connected to the divine energy--the result is confusion, emotional difficulty, and illness.
-Victor M Parachin, Eastern Wisdom for Western Minds

Meditate on a Koan part 3

3/14/2026

Here are three more koans to consider:
-Is emptiness empty?
-What does not exist?
-How can I stop thinking by thinking about stopping thinking?

When you're finished meditating on these koans, write down your answers. Later in the day, tell the koan to a friend or two, asking them for their answers. Then you can compare and see how different personalities can have completely different explanations.
-Victor M Parachin, Sit a Bit

<<Previous