Category: Buddhism

You May Be an Awakened Person

11/4/2025

We are awakened (enlightened) women and men if. . .
-We are less preoccupied with ourselves and more concerned about helping others;
-We naturally, spontaneously express kindness, compassion, acceptance, love;
-We are patient with others and with ourselves;
-We are generally peaceful and serene;
-We are generous with our time, talent and material possessions;
-We feel both sadness and compassion for the condition of the world;
-We wish to relieve suffering of other beings;
-We realize that life is precious to all, human and all sentient beings--animals, fish, insects;
-We enjoy nature and being outside--it's not a coincidence the Buddha became enlightened while meditating outside, under a tree.
Victor M Parachin, Buddhist Wisdom for Beginners

Curiosity

10/28/2025

Albert Einstein said, "Never lose a holy curiosity." Curiosity is one common denominator to all great inventors. And curiosity is an important aspect of mindfulness for these reasons:

- Curiosity makes your mind active not passive
- Curiosity keeps your mind observant and attentive
- Curiosity opens you up to fresh insights and new possibilities
- Curiosity prevents you from being on automatic pilot
- Curiosity helps you see the big picture
- Curiosity forces you to ask "Why?"

-Victor M Parachin, Think Like the Buddha

Right Associations

10/25/2025

Right associations have always been emphasized in Buddhism because we are greatly influenced, positively and negatively, by the people we associate with the most. Here are three key ways to create right associations.

First, surround yourself with positive, optimistic, joyful people. Little by little, reduce and eventually, remove from your close circle people who are negative, cynical and prone to drama.

Secondly, be part of a spiritual community such as a yoga class, meditation group, or among people who meet regularly to study religious texts. . . .

Thirdly, read or listen to teachings which are informative and inspiring. Though we cannot always be in the presence of gifted teachers, we can still benefit from them by reading their writings and listening or viewing their talks.
-Victor M Parachin, Buddhist Wisdom for Beginners

Clean House and Mind

10/16/2025

In his book A Monk's Guide to a Clean House and Mind, Shoukei Matsumoto says these things about the spiritual practice of cleaning:
- Cleaning practice--that is sweeping, polishing, wiping, tidying, washing--constitutes an important step toward inner peace.
- Buddhism does not separate the person from the environment and cleaning expresses both respect and unity with the world around us.
- Cleaning when done mindfully is a powerful meditation practice.
- There is no end to cleaning just as there is no ending of or "graduation" in meditation practice.

"A monk's day begins with cleaning. We sweep the Temple grounds and gardens, we polish the main Temple Hall. We don't do it because it's dirty or messy. We do it to eliminate gloom in our hearts." -Shoukei Matsumoto
-Victor M Parachin, Think Like the Buddha

Silence Deepens Mindfulness

10/14/2025

"When you become aware of silence, immediately there is that state of inner still alertness. You are present. You have stepped out of thousands of years of collective human conditioning."
Eckhart Tolle

Silence is an important aspect for the deeper development of mindfulness because silence brings clarity while activity often brings confusion.
-Victor M Parachin, Think Like the Buddha

Living a More Joyful Life

10/12/2025

Three Buddhist teachings for living a more joyful life based on the life of Harada Tangen:

1. Practice gratitude: "We all have to break through our selfish disposition and be able to appreciate all things we are blessed with, appreciate life itself." -Harada Tangen

2. The power of commitment: "If you set out to do it, it will be done--if you don't, it won't be done; when something isn't done, it is because you didn't resolve to do it." -Harada Tangen

3. Equanimity, or the gift of mental composure: "Just leave it be. . . . All is well." -Harada Tangen
-Victor M Parachin, workshop on April 13, 2025

Why Not Become a Buddha?

10/9/2025

"Enjoy being a buddha. When you sit, allow the buddha in you to sit. When you walk, allow the buddha in you to walk. Enjoy your practice. If you don't become a buddha, who will?"
-Thich Nhat Hanh

The Buddha was very direct and clear that he was not a god but just a human being. Therefore, the path to enlightenment and liberation that he discovered is accessible to any other human. . . . The Buddha summarized his teachings in the Noble Eightfold Path to guide us:

1. Right View. Accept life the way it is rather than clinging to the way we wish it to be.

2. Right thought. Develop yourself to be a person who is positive and optimistic not negative and cynical.

3. Right speech. No gossip, no lying, no misrepresenting oneself and others.

4. Right action. Respond rather than react to life.

5. Right livelihood. Do work that is right for you, for others, for the planet.

6. Right effort. Rise daily with joy and enthusiasm.

7. Right mindfulness. Be present. The past is over and the future is uncertain. Focus on now.

8. Right concentration. Meditate regularly. This practice provides a foundation of stability, peace, confidence and awareness.
-Victor M Parachin, Think Like the Buddha

Cultivate what is Skillful

10/4/2025

Here's a simple yet foundational teaching from the Buddha: "Abandon what is unskillful. One can abandon the unskillful. If it were not possible, I would not ask you to do so." . . . Having read that, pause to ask yourself: "What's not working well in my life? What area is unskillful and no longer serves me well?"

. . . There's a second part to the Buddha's teaching: "Cultivate that which is skillful. One can cultivate the skillful. If it were not possible, I would not ask you to do so." . . . Now, having read this second part of his teaching, pause to ask yourself: "What brings me a great deal of satisfaction, pleasure, joy and happiness in life?" . . . Do more of that!
-Victor M Parachin, Think Like the Buddha: 108 Days of Mindfulness