It is very important in meditation to be self-reliant, to have our own tools. The Buddha emphasized self-effort is the best effort, and to be self-reliant. - Goodwin Samararatne
We can begin overcoming self-conceit by simply recognizing the sentience, and thus equality, of other beings. We don’t need extraterrestrials to do this: we can reach out to insects and animals right here already. For many of us, even respecting the dignity of other humans would be a powerful step in moral growth. Eventually, if we receive some visitor from another galaxy. Look, same human beings. Maybe a little different sort of shape. But basically the same. Then furthermore same sentient being. Just like that. It’s the same sentient being. We can immediately shake hands, if they have some sort of similar hand there. If we put too much emphasis on ‘we are human beings on this planet’ then someone from outside who comes is a ‘stranger,’ that creates more anxiety, more fear.
Yoga is the supreme gift of India to the world at large.
Yoga does not quarrel with science ; it supplements it. Yoga is a methodical way to attain perfection, through the control of the different elements of human nature, both physical and psychological. - Swami Sivananda Those who have spirit and drive and are willing to work hard, persevere, and weather disadvantages can start from zero and end up with everything - Hsing Yun
Upon receiving a drop of generosity from others, we should repay it with gratitude in gushing torrents. - Chinese Buddhist Proverb
The mind of most of us ordinary beings is like a headstrong toddler and needs to be taken care of like a toddler. We can't just do everything the mind says and give it everything it says it wants - just as we can't with a toddler.That would lead to a very ill mannered child indeed! It is very dangerous to do everything the mind says. - Lama Zopa
Since most of us do make judgments about a person's behavior, why not consider making those judgments favorable and positive. For example, a friend agrees to meet with you for tea but is not present at the agreed time. Rather than conclude your friend is inconsiderate or "always late" shift the judgment toward the positive thinking she is delayed by traffic or is simply running behind that day. Another example could be that of a friend who does not return a text message promptly. Instead of leaping to the conclusion the friend is inconsiderate or rude, judge favorably assuming your friend may have been preoccupied with a urgent matter.
Please do not have high expectations that you are going to achieve something very special. Meditation is nothing special. It’s just being open to ordinary things. It’s nothing extraordinary. - Goodwin Samaratne
If you want to increase and improve your meditation practice, then decrease your secular activities. - Victor M. Parachin
Meditation is of two kinds, viz., concrete and abstract. If you meditate on any
picture of concrete object, it is concrete meditation. If you meditate on an abstract idea, on any quality (such as mercy, tolerance), it is abstract meditation. A beginner should practice concrete meditation. For some, abstract meditation is more easy than concrete. - Swami Sivananda |
Victor M. Parachin ...is aVedic educator, yoga instructor, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of a dozen books. Buy his books at amazon or your local bookstore. Archives
May 2024
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