From “The Unfoldment: The Organic Path to Clarity, Power, and Transformation” (p. 41-48). Career Press. Kindle Edition. By Neil Kramer. ‘Belief is often about comfort. It is reassuring to know that a thing will be the same today as it was yesterday. We set up all kinds of routines and habitual practices in our dailyContinue reading “Wisdom Snippets: Belief (Downsides And Solutions)”
Category Archives: dharma
Sub-commentary for ‘A Blueprint of Enlightenment: A Contemporary Commentary on Dōgen Zenji’s “Gokudō Yōjinshū” (Guidelines for Studying the Way)’ by Gien Inoue
At Confluence Zen Center’s recent five year anniversary gathering and book signing in Maplewood, Missouri, I picked up a copy of A Blueprint of Enlightenment: A Contemporary Commentary on Dōgen Zenji’s Gokudō Yōjinshū (Guidelines for Studying the Way) by Gien Inoue translated by Daigaku Rummé and Keiko Ohmae. [Also available via Amazon.] Having attending ConfluenceContinue reading “Sub-commentary for ‘A Blueprint of Enlightenment: A Contemporary Commentary on Dōgen Zenji’s “Gokudō Yōjinshū” (Guidelines for Studying the Way)’ by Gien Inoue”
Dharma Questions: The Jhanas
There seem to be plenty of variation on the descriptions of the jhanas (especially surrounding “Nimittas”); the history and backgrounds of the jhanas — which were supposedly established well before the historical Buddha; — as well as some emotional charge surrounding what is and isn’t jhana and how to properly practice the jhanas, or meditativeContinue reading “Dharma Questions: The Jhanas”
Why We Practice | (8/25/2020 — Introducing: ‘Ask Us Anything’ With Denny K Miu)
This “pilot” of sorts called ‘Ask Us Anything’ marks the start of a monthly, open-audience, open-discussion with co-host Denny K Miu mostly about meditation practices and related topics. Our format isn’t set in stone, but it may gel more over time. We may invite guests. Audience members may talk more. We may freestyle with zeroContinue reading “Why We Practice | (8/25/2020 — Introducing: ‘Ask Us Anything’ With Denny K Miu)”
Dharma Questions: Awareness / Consciousness
Whatever [one] keeps pursuing with her thinking & pondering, that becomes the inclination of her awareness. Two Sorts of ThinkingDvedhāvitakka Sutta (MN 19) What is the difference between mind, thoughts, thinking, cognition, consciousness, attention, remembering, knowing, realizing, mind objects, mental formations, mental phenomena, volition, mindfulness, awareness? And what is the relationship between each of these and withContinue reading “Dharma Questions: Awareness / Consciousness”
Advaita is Vedanta – Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj by Stephen Wolinsky
My (rough) notes with points and question on the above video Advaita is Vedanta – Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj by Stephen Wolinsky: I’m fond of the mention of non-dualism as a state or station to be discarded — and not a completion or attainment. In reference to ‘looking for what you have not discarded and discardingContinue reading “Advaita is Vedanta – Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj by Stephen Wolinsky”
Dharma Questions: Intent
Intent How and why does intent work? Is retro-causal intention setting possible. If so, is doing so wise and skillful? Can intention be amplified and/or intensified? Is ignorance the same as unawareness? Do either ignorance or unawareness relate to amount or quality of consciousness? If there is no existence on an ultimate level, what changesContinue reading “Dharma Questions: Intent”
Wisdom Snippets: Hope
Most of us can obviously see the upside in the concept of hope. How about diving in a little deeper? Hope says, “Wow. Things are bad. May as well just smoke some Hopium & in the future maybe, somehow, there could be a chance of things getting better.” But you gotta keep smoking Hopium. HopeContinue reading “Wisdom Snippets: Hope”
Refuge
Where, or in what do you take refuge now? What provides a sense of comfort, safety and stability? Shopping? Sex? Social media? Food? Gaming? TV? Money? Chasing approval and fame? Drugs and/or alcohol? Or perhaps it’s more positive things like friends, family, nature, heath, spiritual practices, values. Or a mix of positive and negative. WhileContinue reading “Refuge”
Integrating Presence 