Blog Posts

Empathy

6/13/2026

Empathy is one of the most valuable amotions we can cultivate. To be a person of empathy requires having both wisdom and courage. Unlike mere sentimentality, which is more about being nice, polite, and pleasing, empathy calls upon our deepest insight and strengths so that we can reach out and touch and transform those who are hurting. Change and healing can take place in the wounded only when they sense that we understand and feel their truth. Such is the power of empathy.

Who in your social and professional circle is hurting today? What can you say or do that will make a difference?
-Victor M Parachin, Eastern Wisdom for Western Minds

When Things Go Wrong

6/9/2026

It's easy to say "yes" to life when everything is easy, comfortable, good. However, the challenge emerges the moment life becomes rough. When things go wrong, don't go wrong with them: maintain the right mind, the right thoughts, the right words and the right actions. For example:
- If a relationship ends, watch the tendency to wallow in anger. . . .
- If you are betrayed by a good friend, resist the resentment that can rule your life. . . .
Whenever things go wrong, pause, take a deep breath, consider all possibilities and begin to move forward.
-Victor M Parachin, Think Like the Buddha

Inner Peace Meditation

6/6/2026

Before beginning this meditation to bring great inner peace and tranquility to your mind, remember to take a few deep inhalations and exhalations and then return to normal breathing. Then slowly repeat these words:
- Om Shanti: Inhale on "Om" and exhale on "Shanti" (peace)
- Shalom: Inhale on "Sha" and exhale on "lom" (Hebrew for peace)
- Peaceful: Inhale on "Peace" and exhale on "ful"
- Repeat
-Victor M Parachin, Sit a Bit

Be Like Bamboo

6/2/2026

"Bamboo is flexible, bending like the wind but never breaking, capable of adapting in any circumstance. It suggests resilience, meaning that we have the ability to bounce back even from the most difficult times." -Ping Fu

Because the bamboo plant can survive harsh winters, blistering summers and fierce storms it is an important symbol of enlightenment in Buddhism. Like the bamboo, enlightenment requires persistence, strength, flexibility and adaptability. The presence of the bamboo also creates a sense of quiet and peace while providing shelter for human and other beings. . . .

Any time you face a major life obstacle, bring to mind the bamboo and its ability to adapt, adjust, survive and thrive. Do the same.
-Victor Parachin, Buddhist Wisdom for Beginners

Meditation for Spiritual Awareness

5/30/2026

1. Sit upright in a comfortable position, either on a cushion or in a chair.
2. Breathe in and out to a count of forty complete breaths.
3. As you do this, try to relax completely, releasing tension of body and mind.
4. Continue to breathe and relax more deeply.
5. Contemplate your own divine nature. See it as a small light or small flame that you can fan and grow by exercising patience, love and compassion for yourself.
6. Visualize that light growing larger, stronger and more radiant, extending out of you, embracing and blessing everything and everyone around you.
7. Speak these affirmations silently and gently to yourself: I am filled with divine light and energy. Divine love and light flow from me toward all around me. Divine love guides and leads me. Because of the divinity within me, I am a powerful, loving, compassionate, creative being. Feel free to add your own unique affirmations.
8. Conclude by sitting quietly and again breathe in and out for forty complete breaths.
-Victor M Parachin, Eastern Wisdom for Western Minds

Overcoming Illusions

5/26/2026

We live in an ocean of illusions . . . that take many forms:
- "I'll be happy when . . ."
- "I'll start exercising, dieting, quit smoking, drinking soon . . ."
- "I'll do that when I have more time . . ."
- "I'll get there faster if . . ."
- "I can change him//her . . ."
- "I have control over . . ."
- "I'm a self-made man/woman . . ."
- "She/he had instant success . . ."
- "I'll make a donation when I have more money . . ."
Because illusions surround us and impact our minds, today is the perfect day to begin the process of becoming dis-illusioned.
-Victor M Parachin, Think Like the Buddha

Candle Gazing Gratitude Meditation

5/23/2026

Before beginning the meditation, remember to take a few deep inhalations and exhalations and then return to normal breathing.
1. Light a candle . . . gaze at it . . . let the light symbolize those who have been kind/good to you.
2. Begin to think of them, one at a time, and the kind ways they treated you--family members, friends, teachers, clergy, strangers . . .
3. As you think of them, quietly use their names, one at a time, saying, "Jim, thank you for being kind to me. Jim, may others be as kind to you . . ."
4. Silently think about someone to whom you can bestow kindness tomorrow or in the next few days.
-Victor M Parachin, Sit a Bit

No Fear

5/19/2026

A person strongly grounded in Buddhism exhibits little or no fear. There are several reasons for this absence of fear.
- The law of karma which is not fate, nor is it an omnipresent power judging an individual issuing punishments and rewards. Rather, karma is a natural cosmic event arising from one's actions. Good actions, good words, good thoughts and good mind, all of which characterize a Buddhist lifestyle, result in good karma.
- The law of impermanence. When a Buddhist experiences life's challenges and difficulties, he or she remains patient knowing that life is not static, that his or her difficult circumstances will change, ease and end. During a time of difficulty, a Buddhist will engage in ways of resolving the difficulty as much as possible.
- The inspiration of the Buddha. Like the Buddha, his followers know they have the seed of perfection within. Thus, they do not depend on external sources for their protection and salvation.
-Victor M Parachin, Buddhist Wisdom for Beginners

Eastern View of Conversion

5/16/2026

Eastern attitudes toward conversion or evangelization can be summed up in these points:
- Most Eastern spiritual leaders would not be in favor of conversion from one faith to another.
- Neither would they believe in the fusion of all religions into one. . . .
- Ultimate Truth is one, but has an infinite number of aspects.
- All religions, though differing in philosophy and theology, are on a path that leads to the same goal.
- Eastern spiritual leaders have respect for all religions, because each one offers its own unique markers on the road to Ultimate Reality.
- The infinite cannot be completely contained within any finite concepts.
- One single form of religions could not possibly satisfy everyone.
-Victor M Parachin, Eastern Wisdom for Western Minds

Don't Look Around

5/12/2026

An American man completed Zen training in Japan and was given the gift of a monk's robe by his teacher. Inside the robe, his teacher carefully embroidered this last piece of advice: Don't look around. The teacher was a true Zen master because that sentence, if applied, can prevent a wide variety of misery that we bring upon ourselves when we do look around. It's a reminder to
- Tend your own garden
- Mind your own business
- Don't compete
- Don't compare
- Be focused on your life . . .
Everything you need for growing in wisdom will be found within not without.
-Victor M Parachin, Think Like the Buddha

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