- Published on
(public domain image from www.pixabay.com)
An alternative to sitting for silent meditation is to gaze at an object. Usually, the object is something "spiritual" such as a candle, or image of an inspiring person, or a sacred text. However, gazing at something more ordinary can also slow down and shut down the endless chatter of the mind. Consider apple meditation . . .
- Focus on it's color. Is it one color or several? How many can you identify?
- Focus on it's shape. Is it plump, round, long, short?
- Where did it grow? Chile, Australia, Mexico or your country?
- Who owned the property on which the apple tree grew and blossomed?
- How many people had to look after that tree in order for it to flourish?
- How many laborers did it take for the apple to arrive your home?
- Think about as many of those workers as you can: seed planter, one who watered, one who picked the apple, the driver who delivered the apple, the retail clerks who unloaded the apples and placed them in the store for sale etc.
- Published on
It is very difficult for some people to be silent because it is a very strong habit that we have to speak. So today let us make an effort just to be silent with ourselves - Goodwin Samarartne
- Published on
As millions of people took to the streets for the global climate strike last week, The 14th Dalai Lama voiced his support for the demonstrators. In a tweet, the Dalai Lama wrote that the young people who spearheaded the global movement were “being very realistic” about the impending changes to the world’s ecosystems and urged his followers to cheerlead the youths’ efforts. “It’s quite right that students and today’s younger generation should have serious concerns about the climate crisis and its effect on the environment,” he said. “They are being very realistic about the future. They see we need to listen to scientists. We should encourage them.”
- Published on
It is impossible to directly experience the teachings of the Buddha without practicing meditation. - Victor M. Parachin
- Published on
Although goodness should be our greatest priority, we often live our lives preoccupied with earning more money than we need, or obsessed with being invited to prestigious social events or knowing prominent people. - Rabbi Joseph Telushkin
- Published on
Traditional Jewish teachings establishes kindness as a higher virtue than the giving of charity. Here's how that teaching is explained in the Babylonia Talmud, a text regarded as the 'soul' of Jewish theology:
Acts of kindness are greater than charity in three ways:
1. Charity is done with one's money, while kindness may be done with one's money or with one's person (Example: visiting a sick person)
2. Charity is given only to the poor, while kindness may be done for both the poor and the rich (Example: spending time and comforting a mourner or depressed person)
3. Charity is given only to the living, while kindness may be shown to both the living and the dead (Example: arranging the burial of a person who died indigent)
(cited in Rabbi Joseph Teluskin book A Book of Jewish Values)
Acts of kindness are greater than charity in three ways:
1. Charity is done with one's money, while kindness may be done with one's money or with one's person (Example: visiting a sick person)
2. Charity is given only to the poor, while kindness may be done for both the poor and the rich (Example: spending time and comforting a mourner or depressed person)
3. Charity is given only to the living, while kindness may be shown to both the living and the dead (Example: arranging the burial of a person who died indigent)
(cited in Rabbi Joseph Teluskin book A Book of Jewish Values)
- Published on
Every thought shapes our lives. There is no such thing as a little thought, no such thing as an unimportant thought. It may be heavy, it may be light, but it always should be well-directed with precision. - Eknath Easwaran
- Published on
The Spanish bishops’ conference said that the “mindfulness” movement and other eastern meditation techniques cannot be considered “properly Christian”. Recognizing that humans are seeking spiritual pathways in the 21st century as a balance to secularism and materialism, the Bishops however offer their caution and concern:
"we are witnessing the resurgence of a spirituality that is presented in response to the growing ‘demand’ for emotional well-being, personal balance, enjoyment of life or serenity to face challenges.” That spirituality, they said, is too often “understood as the cultivation of one's own interiority so that man finds himself, and which often does not lead to God.”
To this effect, many people—even those who grew up in a Christian environment—resort to meditation, prayer techniques and methods that have their origin in religious traditions outside Christianity and the rich spiritual heritage of the Church.”
“In some cases, this is accompanied by the abandonment of the Catholic faith, even inadvertently. In other cases, people try to incorporate these methods as a ‘supplement’ of their faith to achieve a more intense experience of it. This assimilation is frequently done without proper discernment about its compatibility with the Christian faith, the anthropology that derives from it and with the Christian message of salvation,” the bishops warned.
"we are witnessing the resurgence of a spirituality that is presented in response to the growing ‘demand’ for emotional well-being, personal balance, enjoyment of life or serenity to face challenges.” That spirituality, they said, is too often “understood as the cultivation of one's own interiority so that man finds himself, and which often does not lead to God.”
To this effect, many people—even those who grew up in a Christian environment—resort to meditation, prayer techniques and methods that have their origin in religious traditions outside Christianity and the rich spiritual heritage of the Church.”
“In some cases, this is accompanied by the abandonment of the Catholic faith, even inadvertently. In other cases, people try to incorporate these methods as a ‘supplement’ of their faith to achieve a more intense experience of it. This assimilation is frequently done without proper discernment about its compatibility with the Christian faith, the anthropology that derives from it and with the Christian message of salvation,” the bishops warned.
- Published on
The idea of inferiority or superiority brings trouble and worries. Ideas of superiority and
inferiority are mental creations only they are illusory. - Swami Sivananda
inferiority are mental creations only they are illusory. - Swami Sivananda
- Published on
Fear is a great human curse. It is your worst enemy. Fear assumes many forms and blights many lives. But a calm mind brings courage. - Swami Sivananda