McMindfulness and The Mindfulness Industrial Complex | (12/29/2020 — “Ask Us Anything” With Denny K Miu)

For this month’s open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything” — continuing discussions about meditation and related topics — Denny and I address the “McMindfulness” phenomena mostly by exploring the translation of the original Pali word “sati” — often translated as “mindfulness” — by offering up “remembering” as a more original translation. We also touch on some classic sati relatedContinue reading “McMindfulness and The Mindfulness Industrial Complex | (12/29/2020 — “Ask Us Anything” With Denny K Miu)”

Buddha as Badass

The historical Buddha is regularly portrayed as primarily full of love and light in popular culture. While this is just one aspect, another angle this post intends to explore is the Buddha’s decisiveness, diligence, determination, and immense courage in the face of pretty much anything and everything without shying away from squeamishness. It’s also kindContinue reading “Buddha as Badass”

Breath: Questions for Contemplation; Perceptions and Practice Ideas

March 13, 2023 Update: Part 2 of this Breath: Questions for Contemplation; Perceptions and Practice Ideas is now available for purchase on Insight Timer as the five-day Progressive Breath Awareness Booster course and is entirely free for Plus members (which includes a 1-month free trial). Day one is free for everyone: https://insighttimer.com/meditation-courses/progressive-breath-awareness-booster or the easy toContinue reading “Breath: Questions for Contemplation; Perceptions and Practice Ideas”

An Integrating Presence Meditation at Mary’s House of Healing December 16, 2020

Join the 7pm meditation tonight, December 16th, at Fat Cat Longevity, downstairs next to Peace Love Coffee & Vegan Deli at Mary’s House of Healing, St Charles, MO Doors open: 6:50pm close: 7:05pm See a previous example for more information

An Integrating Presence Meditation at Mary’s House of Healing November 18, 2020

On November 18, 2020 at Mary’s House of Healing starting at 7pm, I plan to facilitate a guided meditation starting with brief instructions along with a discussion before and after. We will likely choose from the following: concentration; loving-kindness; (open) awareness; 5 simple qigong breathing exercises; and/or mindfulness [1) body 2) heart-mind: thoughts, emotions, moods, mind states 3)Continue reading “An Integrating Presence Meditation at Mary’s House of Healing November 18, 2020”

Hokyoji Zen Practice Community’s Zoom Rohatsu Sesshin (Retreat) 11/30/20 – 12/06/20

Rohatsu is Japanese for “eighth day of the twelfth month” when Japanese Zen Buddhists observe the enlightenment of the historical Buddha. Below is a dharma talk from the Jewel Mirror Sesshin with Hokyoji Zen Practice Community I partially attended in August via Zoom. Fortunately or unfortunately, or both, or neither, Zoom retreats are part of meditationContinue reading “Hokyoji Zen Practice Community’s Zoom Rohatsu Sesshin (Retreat) 11/30/20 – 12/06/20”

“Personal” Photography Musings

Given today is the general election for President of the USA perhaps it seems fitting to post about “personal” images. Because unless you’ve actually sat down face-to-face beside the candidates, all anyone voting has to go on are video images and (spoken) words. (And the rare discussion with those who’ve actually met the candidates.) AnContinue reading ““Personal” Photography Musings”

Addressing and Working with Pain On and Off the Cushion

Fortunately, as of now, I haven’t had to work with physical pain much. I’m currently dealing more with blockages, which may or may not be blocking pain. It’s hard to tell until unblocked. For several years, until my grandmother’s passing, she dealt with osteoporosis and the pain of her bones disintegrating with Fentanyl, a veryContinue reading “Addressing and Working with Pain On and Off the Cushion”

An Integrating Presence Meditation at Mary’s House of Healing September 30, 2020

On September 30, 2020 at Mary’s House of Healing starting at 7pm, I plan to facilitate a guided meditation starting with brief instructions along with a discussion before and after. We will likely choose from the following: concentration; loving-kindness; (open) awareness; 5 simple qigong breathing exercises; and/or mindfulness (breath, body, feelings, mind) Mary’s House of Healing524 SouthContinue reading “An Integrating Presence Meditation at Mary’s House of Healing September 30, 2020”

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”