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Unlike religions of his day and unlike religions which came later, the Buddha managed to create a spiritual, ethical movement devoid of "tribalism" right from the beginning. This is the observation of Derek Beres, an author, musician and yoga teacher. In his column, Is Buddhism A Religion Or A Philosophy, he writes:
"In an early instance of transcending tribalism, Buddha opened up his teachings to the entire world; it was not a gender- or race-dependent practice. Monks and nuns were in a co-dependent relationship with the public: the clergy offered spiritual sustenance while commoners provided them with food and money. Anyone could partake in the Three Jewels, either for a lifetime or, in some nations (such as Japan), for a season: dharma, Buddha’s teachings; sangha, the community; and the Buddha. Faith in these three aspects offers ground-floor entry into the Buddhist life."
"In an early instance of transcending tribalism, Buddha opened up his teachings to the entire world; it was not a gender- or race-dependent practice. Monks and nuns were in a co-dependent relationship with the public: the clergy offered spiritual sustenance while commoners provided them with food and money. Anyone could partake in the Three Jewels, either for a lifetime or, in some nations (such as Japan), for a season: dharma, Buddha’s teachings; sangha, the community; and the Buddha. Faith in these three aspects offers ground-floor entry into the Buddhist life."
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Some people storm imaginary Alps all their lives, and die in the foothills cursing difficulties that do not exist. - E. W. Howe
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Speak to sentient beings as you would to a baby. - Dogen
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Former First Lady Barbara Bush died yesterday at the age of 92. During her first year, Bush used the first lady's spotlight to dispel a myth about AIDS. She spent nearly an hour at a Victorian townhouse near the White House where infants living with HIV were being cared for. She was photographed cradling the babies.
At a time when there was misinformation and hysteria about AIDS patients, Barbara Bush did her best to dispel myths and offer compassion: "You can hug and pick up AIDS babies and people who have the HIV virus" without hurting yourself, she said. "There is a need for compassion."
At a time when there was misinformation and hysteria about AIDS patients, Barbara Bush did her best to dispel myths and offer compassion: "You can hug and pick up AIDS babies and people who have the HIV virus" without hurting yourself, she said. "There is a need for compassion."
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I travel to Dallas several times a year where I have a spiritual friend, Tashi Nyima, a Tibetan Buddhist monk. He has a small sangha for whom he offers teachings and leads meditation. His teachings and his person are of great benefit to me. At one of his sessions, Tashi explained that hope is not a preferred concept in Buddhism. Hope is wishful thinking that things will change "down the road" without taking the necessary steps. Furthermore, hope moves a person from the present moment to some distant future which may or may not arrive. Hope is unreliable. Tashi explains more fully why Buddhism dosesn't like or use the word 'hope' below . . . .
We are surrounded by compassion and supported with kindness on every side. This is not wishful thinking or mundane piety. We took Refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha —unerring and permanent protection.
We can worry about the situations we encounter along the way all we want, but it is neither helpful nor necessary. All is for the best, if we bring it onto the path. The heart that wishes universal enlightenment is infallible.
As we develop certitude through our practice of calm abiding and insight, the various shards of the view that we now have will gradually coalesce into a stable —never static— View, like the proverbial pieces of a mosaic. As the View becomes wide and deep, we can observe the mental continuum and know the interdependence of all phenomena.
The one essential teaching of the Buddhas is that They are not unique, that there is a fundamental equality of all sentient beings. We are all free, all fully enlightened. Right now.
Amideva is the name we call ourselves, awakening to our true, perfectly enlightened nature. om amideva hrih
Rejoice! There is no fear. There is no (need to) hope.
We are surrounded by compassion and supported with kindness on every side. This is not wishful thinking or mundane piety. We took Refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha —unerring and permanent protection.
We can worry about the situations we encounter along the way all we want, but it is neither helpful nor necessary. All is for the best, if we bring it onto the path. The heart that wishes universal enlightenment is infallible.
As we develop certitude through our practice of calm abiding and insight, the various shards of the view that we now have will gradually coalesce into a stable —never static— View, like the proverbial pieces of a mosaic. As the View becomes wide and deep, we can observe the mental continuum and know the interdependence of all phenomena.
The one essential teaching of the Buddhas is that They are not unique, that there is a fundamental equality of all sentient beings. We are all free, all fully enlightened. Right now.
Amideva is the name we call ourselves, awakening to our true, perfectly enlightened nature. om amideva hrih
Rejoice! There is no fear. There is no (need to) hope.
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All of the various Yoga traditions stress that those who teach Yoga be spiritually qualified. The term for a qualified aspirant is adhikarin. In the ancient Vedic text Shiva Samhita (the name translates to Shiva’s Compendium in English) a qualified teacher of yoga has these types of attributes: a positive attitude, a disciplined and faithful practice, respect for his/her teacher, unprejudiced, liberal mindedness, patient, has balanced senses, eats moderately, aptitude for meditation, and self-reliance. This same text also describes a weak (mridu) teacher of yoga – unenthusiastic, fickle, hesitant, lethargic, and ill-mannered. These should not be teachers of Yoga but should devote their time to mantra recitation until such time they evolve and mature spiritually.
A similar but modern description of a qualified Yoga teacher is offered by the 20th century Yoga master, B. K. S. Iyengar in his book, The Tree of Yoga. “The teacher should be clear, clever, confident, challenging, caring, cautious, constructive, courageous, comprehending, creative, completely devoted and dedicated to know the subject….Teachers must be strong and positive in their approach. They must be affirmative to create confidence in the pupils...Teachers must always be learning.”
A similar but modern description of a qualified Yoga teacher is offered by the 20th century Yoga master, B. K. S. Iyengar in his book, The Tree of Yoga. “The teacher should be clear, clever, confident, challenging, caring, cautious, constructive, courageous, comprehending, creative, completely devoted and dedicated to know the subject….Teachers must be strong and positive in their approach. They must be affirmative to create confidence in the pupils...Teachers must always be learning.”
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Change is constant. Every event benefits you. - Fu Hsi
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This week the Dalai Lama met with 500 international visitors from 68 countries. He reminded and encouraged them to recall that we humans are all the same, that we should practice sameness. To do this we need to develop our brains he said -
“Mentally and emotionally we human beings are all the same. We all experience anger and hatred, even me too, but we also all have the potential to cultivate compassion, forgiveness, and tolerance. Destructive emotions are based on ignorance . . . constructive emotions like love and compassion are supported by reason, so we can use our brains to develop and strengthen them.”
“Mentally and emotionally we human beings are all the same. We all experience anger and hatred, even me too, but we also all have the potential to cultivate compassion, forgiveness, and tolerance. Destructive emotions are based on ignorance . . . constructive emotions like love and compassion are supported by reason, so we can use our brains to develop and strengthen them.”
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Please remember that feelings and facts are not the same thing. - Tracey Cleantis
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Animals love the energy of yoga. Pictured above is my friend, Brian (picture courtesy of his parter, Melissa) in "final relaxation" officially known in yoga as "savsana". His three animal family members are joining him. Every proper yoga class or yoga session should end with a period of complete rest and relaxation. Fifteen to twenty minutes after a yoga workout is best. If its too short - as is often the case in gym yoga - there is not much benefit to the body.
Here's a how to do savasana guide from Indra Devi author of Yoga for Americans: "Let your body gradually become limp and heavy; pretend ykou are a drooping, long-stemmed water Lilly, and slowly sink to the floor. Lie down and close your eyes. This lifeless pose is called Savasana in Sanskrit. Lie like this quietly for awhile."
Here's a how to do savasana guide from Indra Devi author of Yoga for Americans: "Let your body gradually become limp and heavy; pretend ykou are a drooping, long-stemmed water Lilly, and slowly sink to the floor. Lie down and close your eyes. This lifeless pose is called Savasana in Sanskrit. Lie like this quietly for awhile."