Work/Meditate
I have a work/meditation practice that has been going on now for 2 years. I started it a while back, in the summer when I wanted to make some changes in my life. I already had a meditation practice but not everyday. Our company moved from a downtown location to one in the middle of nowhere so suddenly I wasn't going out everyday for lunch because there was nowhere to go. Some of my coworkers started playing cards, and that just seemed like a waste of time to me so I decided to use my lunch to calm my mind.
The practice started with just the breath. I would lie on my back and watch the sky and empty my mind and then I would just follow the breath in and out. Well eventually the cold weather returned and I wanted to continue my practice because I was experiencing some really good sits. So I asked the owner of the company if I could use the board room at lunch to continue my meditation. This is one of the good things about where I work. I can share my spiritual inclinations openly. Some people mock me but not too much.
When I began in the board room I decided to start using the meditation time for doing mantras instead of just the breath. Today for instance I sat for 15 minutes and said the Vajrasattva mantra, Manjushri and Medicine buddha. When I go through the mantras I then just sit with the breath again.
I can't tell you how much the practice has become essential to a more peaceful state for myself.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Monday, February 27, 2006
Slow Down:
This was the homework given to us last night in our lo jong group. We read a piece from Eknath Easwaren's book, Meditation, the chapter on slowing down. In that chapter Easwaren describes his coming to America from a rural Indian village where he walked everyday at about 3km an hour and if for an emergency, 4km an hour. His arrival on New Yorks doorstep showed him immediatly a culture that is racing everyday and getting nowhere, fast!
So this morning I decided to slow down. I already bike to work but I know that speed is a state of mind. Somedays I'm racing just as fast as the person on the 401 accept it is all up in my head. I don't notice the little things about the weather and the wildlife. I just keep on going and show up to work if not as stressed as a regular commuter, nearly as stressed.
How did I change this morning you ask? Well for one I chose slightly different routes to work. I went through the park at a different place. I walked across the foot bridge instead of riding. I stopped to stare at the steam rising off of the river and watched the geese meandering along in the water. I thought about them!
Then I went throught the bushier part of the trail that I normally take to get to work. I stared at the diamond like reflections coming off of the snow and let the beauty of it enter me.
I went futher along the trail then normal instead of getting out to bike on the road.
I breathed differently.
What was the cost in time to me? Nothing. I thought I was going to be late but I got to work at the same time I normally do. I was quite surprised by that. It felt like I was taking all the time in the world but again perception was the key difference.
I also gained more insight into some imagery I've been developing as a result of taking the different routes to work.
It is hard to constantly try to apply the slow down motto. Speed is like an addiction, before you know it you're racing ahead again like everyone else. The impetus of the culture is huge. But the benefits of slowing down are enormous.
(mind you i did write this entry fairly quickly!)
This was the homework given to us last night in our lo jong group. We read a piece from Eknath Easwaren's book, Meditation, the chapter on slowing down. In that chapter Easwaren describes his coming to America from a rural Indian village where he walked everyday at about 3km an hour and if for an emergency, 4km an hour. His arrival on New Yorks doorstep showed him immediatly a culture that is racing everyday and getting nowhere, fast!
So this morning I decided to slow down. I already bike to work but I know that speed is a state of mind. Somedays I'm racing just as fast as the person on the 401 accept it is all up in my head. I don't notice the little things about the weather and the wildlife. I just keep on going and show up to work if not as stressed as a regular commuter, nearly as stressed.
How did I change this morning you ask? Well for one I chose slightly different routes to work. I went through the park at a different place. I walked across the foot bridge instead of riding. I stopped to stare at the steam rising off of the river and watched the geese meandering along in the water. I thought about them!
Then I went throught the bushier part of the trail that I normally take to get to work. I stared at the diamond like reflections coming off of the snow and let the beauty of it enter me.
I went futher along the trail then normal instead of getting out to bike on the road.
I breathed differently.
What was the cost in time to me? Nothing. I thought I was going to be late but I got to work at the same time I normally do. I was quite surprised by that. It felt like I was taking all the time in the world but again perception was the key difference.
I also gained more insight into some imagery I've been developing as a result of taking the different routes to work.
It is hard to constantly try to apply the slow down motto. Speed is like an addiction, before you know it you're racing ahead again like everyone else. The impetus of the culture is huge. But the benefits of slowing down are enormous.
(mind you i did write this entry fairly quickly!)
Friday, February 24, 2006
Buddha of Infinite Light
by D.T Suzuki
I am constantly being amazed these days by the similarities between certain teachings of Christianity and Buddhism. Suzuki's book, based on lectures given in the 1950's draws these parallels very clearly for me.
The school of buddhism is Pure Land buddhism or Shin Buddhism, the most popular form practiced in Japan. The main thing involved in the primal vow mantra which in many ways speaks to me of accepting Christ as your saviour. But even more parallel is the notion of monadism that Suzuki speaks of. He compares monadism to the idea of a mother cat carrying her baby in her mouth and the baby not doing anything to help. Contrast that with a baby monkey who rides on the mother's back and has to hang on for dear life so the mother doesn't have to work so hard.
In the Shin buddhist teaching we are all the baby cat. There isn't anything we can do to get to the other shore, or the Pure land. But we don't know that until we try our hardest to get there on our own. And then we see the Amida buddha holding out a hand for us to grab ahold of and be pulled ashore.
You can click here 48 vows to read the 48 vows that Shin buddhism is based upon.
by D.T Suzuki
I am constantly being amazed these days by the similarities between certain teachings of Christianity and Buddhism. Suzuki's book, based on lectures given in the 1950's draws these parallels very clearly for me.
The school of buddhism is Pure Land buddhism or Shin Buddhism, the most popular form practiced in Japan. The main thing involved in the primal vow mantra which in many ways speaks to me of accepting Christ as your saviour. But even more parallel is the notion of monadism that Suzuki speaks of. He compares monadism to the idea of a mother cat carrying her baby in her mouth and the baby not doing anything to help. Contrast that with a baby monkey who rides on the mother's back and has to hang on for dear life so the mother doesn't have to work so hard.
In the Shin buddhist teaching we are all the baby cat. There isn't anything we can do to get to the other shore, or the Pure land. But we don't know that until we try our hardest to get there on our own. And then we see the Amida buddha holding out a hand for us to grab ahold of and be pulled ashore.
You can click here 48 vows to read the 48 vows that Shin buddhism is based upon.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
The Poet
by Jane Hirshfield
She is working now, in a room
not unlike this one,
the one where I write, or you read.
Her table is covered with paper.
The light of the lamp would be
tempered by a shade, where the bulb's
single harshness might dissolve,
but it is not; she has taken it off.
Her poems? I will never know them,
though they are the ones I most need.
Even the alphabet she writes in
I cannot decipher. Her chair --
let us imagine whether it is leather
or canvas, vinyl or wicker. Let her
have a chair, her shadeless lamp,
the table. Let one or two she loves
be in the next room. Let the door
be closed, the sleeping ones healthy.
Let her have time, and silence,
enough paper to make mistakes and go on.
© Jane Hirshfield
Just came across an article on Jane Hirshfield in Buddha News and reminded me how much I like her work. Thought I would post a poem of hers here.
by Jane Hirshfield
She is working now, in a room
not unlike this one,
the one where I write, or you read.
Her table is covered with paper.
The light of the lamp would be
tempered by a shade, where the bulb's
single harshness might dissolve,
but it is not; she has taken it off.
Her poems? I will never know them,
though they are the ones I most need.
Even the alphabet she writes in
I cannot decipher. Her chair --
let us imagine whether it is leather
or canvas, vinyl or wicker. Let her
have a chair, her shadeless lamp,
the table. Let one or two she loves
be in the next room. Let the door
be closed, the sleeping ones healthy.
Let her have time, and silence,
enough paper to make mistakes and go on.
© Jane Hirshfield
Just came across an article on Jane Hirshfield in Buddha News and reminded me how much I like her work. Thought I would post a poem of hers here.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Saved!
I just read an article that got me thinking about my past christian days and the concept that all you have to do is accept Jesus as your personal saviour and you will be instantly transformed. The writer of the article expresses some envy over this notion because it seems to imply that there is no work involved in the born again christian world. Well I know from my own experience that this seems to be a misunderstanding not only of those who profess the born again faith but also of those looking in from the outside. I think it is quite plain that no change will happen if you don't hold your mind in check.
More and more I think the notion of being born again, being saved etc. is not unlike the belief that buddhists have about being enlightened. Apparently when you do awake you realize you were always awake, that you have buddha nature. Attachment to things is an obstacle to seeing your true essence. There are certainly obstacles for the christian who claims to be saved to realizing that salvation.
I just read an article that got me thinking about my past christian days and the concept that all you have to do is accept Jesus as your personal saviour and you will be instantly transformed. The writer of the article expresses some envy over this notion because it seems to imply that there is no work involved in the born again christian world. Well I know from my own experience that this seems to be a misunderstanding not only of those who profess the born again faith but also of those looking in from the outside. I think it is quite plain that no change will happen if you don't hold your mind in check.
More and more I think the notion of being born again, being saved etc. is not unlike the belief that buddhists have about being enlightened. Apparently when you do awake you realize you were always awake, that you have buddha nature. Attachment to things is an obstacle to seeing your true essence. There are certainly obstacles for the christian who claims to be saved to realizing that salvation.
Monday, February 13, 2006
Observe the observer
Another Monday morning bus ride and I was able to think through some stuff about fear and group consciousness. I'm reading a good book by Derrick Sweet right now and one of the things I'm taking away from it is the idea of Japa meditation. I know Wayne Dyer has talked about this form of meditation as well and I remember thinking at the time that I was reading his The Power of Intention that it was similiar to buddhist teaching on transmission. When you do an initiation you visualize your guru as the buddha and also yourself as the buddha. So the japa meditation is familiar in that you see yourself doing the thing that you want to do. I am starting to use that form more actively now, starting this morning, on the bus!
Another Monday morning bus ride and I was able to think through some stuff about fear and group consciousness. I'm reading a good book by Derrick Sweet right now and one of the things I'm taking away from it is the idea of Japa meditation. I know Wayne Dyer has talked about this form of meditation as well and I remember thinking at the time that I was reading his The Power of Intention that it was similiar to buddhist teaching on transmission. When you do an initiation you visualize your guru as the buddha and also yourself as the buddha. So the japa meditation is familiar in that you see yourself doing the thing that you want to do. I am starting to use that form more actively now, starting this morning, on the bus!
Sunday, February 12, 2006
What is buddhism? Once upon a time I thought I knew. I thought it was that other religion, the one where nothing really made sense. Not like the reason based religion that I practised, where all of the scripture was rooted in history and therefore provable.
I now am of the opinion that neither buddhism not my previous religious practice needs to worry about being rooted in history. History rots the truth, the same way time rots all things. Truth is beyond religious bigotry and bias. Now I am trying to see and hear with eyes that see and ears that hear. Beyond the anger and fear of cultural practices. And that goes for buddhism and christianity.
I find it odd that Islam is being so badly portrayed in the press thanks to the idiocy of a few ruling shahs. Surely the truth of Islam has nothing to do with violence or hatred of those who don't see things the same way that you do. That wouldn't be truth at all but something completely different.
I now am of the opinion that neither buddhism not my previous religious practice needs to worry about being rooted in history. History rots the truth, the same way time rots all things. Truth is beyond religious bigotry and bias. Now I am trying to see and hear with eyes that see and ears that hear. Beyond the anger and fear of cultural practices. And that goes for buddhism and christianity.
I find it odd that Islam is being so badly portrayed in the press thanks to the idiocy of a few ruling shahs. Surely the truth of Islam has nothing to do with violence or hatred of those who don't see things the same way that you do. That wouldn't be truth at all but something completely different.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Despite its communist government, Vietnam remains steeped in Buddhist tradition and animist spirituality. You can see it in the dun- and pink-colored pagodas, the ancestor shrines on every street corner, and the incense sticks burning in the bumpers of transport trucks.
It’s a unique combination, a culture shaped by not one but two ostensibly anti-materialist philosophies, and it makes it especially intriguing that Vietnam is now being introduced to the fine art of advertising. In the early 1990s, the country opened its doors to the free market, and termed this political maneuvering "market socialism." So while Prime Minister Phan Van Khai's government continues to control the media, the brand names are given free reign.
Read More....
It’s a unique combination, a culture shaped by not one but two ostensibly anti-materialist philosophies, and it makes it especially intriguing that Vietnam is now being introduced to the fine art of advertising. In the early 1990s, the country opened its doors to the free market, and termed this political maneuvering "market socialism." So while Prime Minister Phan Van Khai's government continues to control the media, the brand names are given free reign.
Read More....
Complexities arise as you begin to immerse yourself in a spiritual practice. I've experienced this with my past Christian practice, and am now beginning to see similiar complexities with buddhist practice. Really, what seems to be true is that you really can't put your faith blindly in anything.
What am I talking about? Just recently I read two sort of disturbing forums/dialogues about 1) Nichiren Buddhism and 2) Geshe Michael Roach. I don't think it is necessary to go into the details of the posts, other than to say they made me cringe and nervous in the way that I once cringed and was nervous when fundamentalists slammed every other variety of christian out there or when a strong, visible leader stumbled and I realized my own faith was rocked as a result.
What I am taking away from my recent disillusionment is this: Listen to your own mind, check in with your own experience and follow your own heart. I know that too often I put my trust in other people to tell me what is right and wrong. That means tradition etc. It is just too tempting to opt out of the decision making process and let yourself follow blindly.
I know there are a lot of times that you need to trust that the answer will be revealed. I'm not knocking the 'I don't know yet' answer. But watch your heart, that is all. Trust yourself, the wisdom is ultimately inside of you.
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