- Published on
Unlike a mantra, which is always the same, gathas can be as different as the need or issue before you. Other ways to use gathas can include common daily events such as:
- Eating: "I am grateful for this meal and will consume it mindfully, appreciatively."
- Exercising: "I am grateful for the gift of my body. I will treat it with respect, giving it the activity it needs to remain healthy and strong."
- Listening: "My friend needs me to hear him/her. I remain open, receptive and nonjudgmental."
- Working: "My work allows me to feed, shelter and clothe myself and my family. I am thankful and will offer my best on the job."
- Driving: "As I commute and drive, I do so with care and compassion for others on the road."
-Victor M Parachin, Eastern Wisdom for Western Minds
- Eating: "I am grateful for this meal and will consume it mindfully, appreciatively."
- Exercising: "I am grateful for the gift of my body. I will treat it with respect, giving it the activity it needs to remain healthy and strong."
- Listening: "My friend needs me to hear him/her. I remain open, receptive and nonjudgmental."
- Working: "My work allows me to feed, shelter and clothe myself and my family. I am thankful and will offer my best on the job."
- Driving: "As I commute and drive, I do so with care and compassion for others on the road."
-Victor M Parachin, Eastern Wisdom for Western Minds
- Published on
Each evening at the Zen Mountain Monastery in New York these words are changed prior to a period of meditation:
Let me respectfully remind you,
Life and death are of supreme importance.
Time swiftly passes by and opportunities are lost,
Each of us should strive to awaken . . . awaken
Take heed.
Do not squander your life.
-Victor M Parachin, Think Like the Buddha
Let me respectfully remind you,
Life and death are of supreme importance.
Time swiftly passes by and opportunities are lost,
Each of us should strive to awaken . . . awaken
Take heed.
Do not squander your life.
-Victor M Parachin, Think Like the Buddha
- Published on
"What is the best way to live" is a question of great interest in Buddhism. The answer is direct and simple involving four related approaches.
First, focus on the present moment. . . . Rather than lament the past or fret about the future, live wisely and intentionally in the present.
Secondly, focus on your own life. Make time to grow and evolve spiritually. . . .
Thirdly, focus on those who come under your influence. . . . Offer them support, kindness, encouragement, love and compassion. . . .
Fourthly, focus on being of benefit to the wider community. Dedicate yourself to improving the welfare and happiness of all beings.
-Victor M Parachin, Buddhist Wisdom for Beginners
First, focus on the present moment. . . . Rather than lament the past or fret about the future, live wisely and intentionally in the present.
Secondly, focus on your own life. Make time to grow and evolve spiritually. . . .
Thirdly, focus on those who come under your influence. . . . Offer them support, kindness, encouragement, love and compassion. . . .
Fourthly, focus on being of benefit to the wider community. Dedicate yourself to improving the welfare and happiness of all beings.
-Victor M Parachin, Buddhist Wisdom for Beginners
- Published on
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
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
- Published on
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
- 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
- Published on
"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
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
- Published on
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
- "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
- Published on
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
- 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
- Published on
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
- 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
- Published on
To deepen compassion, all that is sometimes necessary is to become aware of the people around you--those whom you encounter regularly but with whom you do not have any special connection or interest. . . . It could be your coffee barista, a bank teller, grocery store cashier, etc. Begin to send that person this loving kindness meditation:
May you be happy.
May you be fulfilled.
May you be healthy.
May you be loved.
-Victor M Parachin, Sit a Bit
May you be happy.
May you be fulfilled.
May you be healthy.
May you be loved.
-Victor M Parachin, Sit a Bit