Blog Archives

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

Meditate on a Koan part 2

3/10/2026

Koans do not have one right answer and can actually have various interpretations. They are excellent ways to challenge the mind. Here are more Zen koan statements.

-How does a goose escape from a long-necked bottle?
-What is in an empty mind?
-Is stillness still?
Victor M Parachin, Sit a Bit

Meditate on a Koan part 1

3/7/2026

A koan is a short statement or story which is much like a riddle. Koans are often used in Zen Buddhism and are designed to force a meditator to "think outside the box." Because a koan statement is odd, unusual, ridiculous and even bizarre, the meditator must truly focus to come up with an answer.

Here are three to choose from:
-What is the sound of one hand clapping?
-How do you step from a 100-foot pole?
-Can a dog or a cat become enlightened?
Victor M Parachin, Sit a Bit

Dealing with Difficult People

3/3/2026

What is the correct way to deal with some human beings who are especially obnoxious, unkind and unlovable because of their actions? As citizens of the planet are we obliged to love them? . . .

According to Buddhist teaching, every person--regardless of how disgraceful and disgusting his or her behavior may be--has Buddha nature, has the potential to emerge into full Buddhahood. While we may not need to love them, we must work to see and respect their inner Buddha nature. And, when possible, do what we can to support its growth. Every human being, through practice and with some assistance from others, can become an enlightened one.
-Victor M Parachin, Buddhist Wisdom for Beginners